France, Spain And Japan Attract Canadians In Record Numbers As Long-Haul Travel Breaks New Records In 2025 With Explosive Growth In Visitor Numbers

Published on December 4, 2025

In 2025, Canadians are increasingly opting for long-haul travel, with France, Spain, and Japan leading the surge. These destinations have seen record growth in visits, driven by a desire for diverse cultural experiences, new adventure opportunities, and the allure of iconic landmarks. As Canadians seek unique global experiences, these countries offer a perfect blend of rich history, vibrant culture, and unforgettable travel opportunities, making them top choices for international tourists.

Canadians are increasingly choosing international travel for their vacations, with a significant rise in trips to long-haul destinations like Japan, Spain, and France in the second quarter of 2025. The surge in overseas travel is reflected in data from Statistics Canada, which shows that the popularity of destinations far from home continues to grow. Among the most notable increases, Japan saw the largest jump in Canadian visits, with an 88% rise in traffic. This growth translated into an additional 110,000 Canadian tourists visiting Japan. France also experienced substantial growth, with Canadian visits up 49%, adding 105,000 trips to the country. These figures reflect a broader trend of Canadians looking beyond nearby destinations and opting for more distant locations.

While these long-haul destinations are experiencing a boom, Mexico has retained its position as the top destination for Canadian travelers. The country welcomed 471,000 Canadian tourists in the second quarter of 2025, maintaining its appeal due to its proximity, ease of access, and the range of vacation options it offers. France, which saw a significant surge, came second with 319,000 visits, while the United Kingdom secured third place with 279,000 Canadian tourists arriving on its shores. These destinations have long been favorites among Canadians, but the increasing number of visits suggests that travelers are seeking more diverse experiences abroad.

However, not all international markets have seen positive growth. The Dominican Republic and Cuba, two popular vacation spots for Canadians in the Caribbean, faced declines in tourism during this period. The impact of Hurricane Melissa, which struck the region in late October 2025, led to a drop in visits of more than 20%. The hurricane’s damage, coupled with the ongoing recovery efforts, has made these destinations less appealing in the short term. Additionally, Thailand recorded the steepest decline in Canadian visitors, with a 67% decrease in arrivals. This sharp drop can be attributed to rising concerns over safety and crime, which have deterred many would-be tourists from visiting the Southeast Asian country. These shifts highlight the importance of safety, political stability, and environmental factors in shaping travel decisions.

Despite the surge in long-haul travel, Canadians are still showing a strong preference for exploring destinations closer to home. Domestic travel remains a crucial part of the Canadian tourism landscape. In the second quarter of 2025, the number of domestic trips reached a new high of 90.6 million, reflecting a 10.9% increase compared to the same period in 2024. This uptick in domestic travel is a significant trend, especially as Canadians continue to explore their own vast and diverse country. Among these domestic trips, same-day travel saw the most significant increase, rising by 12.4% to reach 58.6 million. This indicates that many Canadians are opting for shorter, more spontaneous getaways, taking advantage of the country’s accessibility and variety of travel experiences.

At the same time, overnight trips also experienced growth, increasing by 8.4% to 32.0 million. This suggests that Canadians are seeking more extended stays, whether for relaxation or adventure, and are increasingly willing to explore more remote regions of their country. These trends point to a shift in how Canadians are engaging with their local tourism offerings. It seems that more people are taking the time to explore the beauty and culture of their own country, taking advantage of both urban and rural destinations that might have been overlooked in previous years.

Domestic tourism spending also saw impressive growth, with a total of $20.3 billion spent in Q2 2025. This highlights the growing economic impact of travel within Canada and the country’s ability to draw both locals and international tourists to its shores. The rise in domestic travel spending is likely fueled by the increased interest in regional tourism, as more Canadians seek to experience local attractions and hidden gems across the nation. In particular, Canada’s natural beauty, from the Rocky Mountains to the vast forests and lakes, continues to be a major draw for both adventure travelers and those seeking relaxation.

While domestic tourism flourishes, trips to the United States continue to decline. Visits to the U.S. fell by 21.6% in the second quarter of 2025, compared with the same period in 2024, marking a continuing downward trend. This decline shows no signs of reversing in the near future, as Canadians seem to be opting for alternative destinations instead. There are several possible reasons for this shift. The high cost of travel to the U.S., along with concerns over safety, changing visa policies, and the appeal of more affordable or culturally unique destinations abroad, could be contributing factors. Additionally, many Canadians are opting for European, Asian, and South American travel, where they can experience rich histories and diverse cultures.

This decline in U.S. visits is significant for both Canadian travelers and the U.S. tourism industry, as Canada has long been one of the largest sources of international visitors to the United States. The decline may lead to changes in how the U.S. markets itself to Canadian tourists, as it faces increased competition from other regions and more diverse travel options.

The overall trends in Canadian travel behavior reflect both changing preferences and broader global dynamics. While long-haul travel is gaining momentum, particularly to countries like Japan and France, there is still a strong interest in domestic tourism. Canadians are embracing both the convenience of close-to-home destinations and the allure of distant shores. The rising popularity of international travel reflects an appetite for exploration and cultural exchange, while the growth in domestic tourism highlights a desire to rediscover Canada’s own offerings. As travel patterns continue to evolve, both international and domestic tourism will remain essential to Canada’s economy and its vibrant tourism sector.

These shifts in Canadian travel behavior not only show a growing interest in overseas destinations but also underscore the importance of fostering domestic tourism as a key driver of the country’s economic recovery and future growth. With Canadians increasingly choosing where to go based on a mix of convenience, safety, and cultural appeal, the landscape of travel continues to change, bringing new opportunities for both international destinations and local attractions.