Top travel destinations revealed for Canadians in 2024
Published January 30, 2024 at 11:24 am
Travel is back and a new report is predicting the top places Canadians want to visit in 2024.
After a drop in travel during the height of the pandemic, restrictions started to ease in 2022.
But 2023 was considered the return to travel with tourism reaching nearly 90 per cent of pre-pandemic levels, according to the World Tourism Organization.
Conducting a survey among a sample of adults who plan to travel for business or leisure between October 2023 and October 2025, Booking.com compiled a report on the top destinations that Canadians want to visit in 2024.
First, looking at travel within Canada, the report found New Brunswick has been gaining momentum as a vacation destination.
Known for the stunning Bay of Fundy Biosphere and Stonehammer Geopark, New Brunswick also has beautiful beaches (over 50) and historic sites.
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Quebec City, which has a European influence and feel, is also on the list. The report states Quebec City can expect an increase in tourism as 34 per cent of Canadians plan to travel closer to home to create “luxe-for-less” copycat vacations to save money this year.
Here are booking.com’s top five domestic destinations in 2024:
- Moncton, New Brunswick
- Blue Mountains, Ontario
- Surrey, British Columbia
- Quebec City, Quebec
- Windsor, Ontario
Windsor might be a surprise but the survey found 48 per cent of Canadians would like to venture off the beaten path this year. Windsor makes the list as a key gateway between Canada and the U.S.
Not typically known as a vacation destination, Windsor’s lush waterfront dotted with cultural art, and new Adventure Bay Family Water Park, may attract more visitors than ever this year, the report states.
For those who can afford to go farther afield, Booking.com also looked at international destinations.
The top spot goes to Tokyo — not a budget destination — but foodies are drawn to its “must-eat” delicacies.
Tokyo has the most Michelin-starred restaurants in the world — currently 183 restaurants and over 500 recommended restaurants. The city also has a bustling arts and fashion scene along with culture and a vibrant, modern core.
This city made the list as 53 per cent of Canadian travellers are more interested in learning about the origins of food, according to the report.
Here are Canadians’ top 5 global destinations to visit in 2024:
- Tokyo, Japan
- Bangkok, Thailand
- Florence, Italy
- Porto, Portugal
- Roma, Italy
Rome, Florence and Porto make the list as over two thirds (65 per cent) prefer to travel with loose plans so they can change direction based on what feels good in the moment in 2024, according to the report.
These European cities are walking-friendly with so much to see that making strict plans can actually take away from the joy of exploring their charming neighbourhoods, the report states.
On the flip side, the report also looked at the places visitors want to travel to in Canada.
Mainstay cities like Vancouver, for its knockout combination of urban and nature blended in one, and Montreal, for its rare European vibe and rich cultural reputation, remain top of many lists, according to the report.
Here are the international travellers’ top five Canadian destinations to visit in 2024:
- Vancouver, British Columbia
- Quebec City, Quebec
- Richmond Hill, Ontario
- Surrey, British Columbia
- Montreal, Quebec
Richmond Hill, a city less than an hour’s drive from Toronto, is on the list for its lush trail networks and lakes, strong ethnic diversity and restaurants galore, according to the report.
Lead Photo of Tokyo: Jezael Melgoza
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