Summer’s Calling: Canadians Rediscover the Great North—And the Globe—Through Travel

As temperatures rise and daylight lingers, Canadian travellers are ready to roam—and this year, they’re setting their sights both close to home and far across the globe. According to the newly released Summer Travel Outlook from Expedia, domestic travel is firmly in the spotlight, with searches revealing that Canadians are leaning into local gems and natural wonders in greater numbers than ever before.

Topping the list is British Columbia’s beloved Tofino, which has seen a 35 percent spike in year-over-year searches. A surfer’s paradise wrapped in coastal rainforest charm, the tiny Vancouver Island town exemplifies what Canadians are craving this summer—raw beauty, remote luxury, and plenty of shoreline to stretch out on. It’s not alone—St. John’s, Nanaimo and Gaspésie have also emerged as hot-ticket destinations, signalling a widespread return to nature, wellness and wide-open spaces.

But the travel bug is reaching beyond Canada’s borders, too. While our own backyard is booming, international curiosity hasn’t waned. Capital cities like Paris, Tokyo, London and Rome are back on top of wish lists, inviting wanderlusters to reconnect with old-world glamour and global adventure. Closer to the equator, Cancun has secured its crown as the most popular beach getaway—unsurprising given the Canadian climate—but tropical newcomers like Koh Samui in Thailand and Mexico’s Oaxaca Region are surging as well, each boasting over 50 percent increases in search interest.

The data paints a picture of a traveller with dual desires—one who craves both the serenity of local escapes and the cultural vibrancy of destinations abroad. Melanie Fish, head of Expedia Group brands public relations, puts it simply: “Canadians are still eager to travel and have been rediscovering all the beauty Canada has to offer—while also satisfying a thirst for international discovery.”

France, in particular, has emerged as a multi-faceted favourite. Paris is unsurprisingly the most popular international pick, but interest is also growing in Bordeaux—with its rolling vineyards and timeless elegance—and St. Pierre and Miquelon, a lesser-known but increasingly beloved slice of Europe located just off the coast of Newfoundland. With a 130 percent increase in searches, this French territory is proving you don’t need to cross an ocean to get a European experience.

And it’s not just where people are going, but when and how. Expedia’s planning tools are helping travellers make smarter decisions—such as using price tracking features to catch airfare deals or bundling flights, hotels and cars for major savings. Their latest data also challenges the long-standing belief that summer travel breaks the bank—revealing that July may in fact be the most affordable month to book a flight.

Whether it’s beachcombing on the Pacific Rim, savouring espresso in a Parisian café, or hiking the volcanic trails of Madeira, one thing is clear—Canadians are embracing summer with renewed enthusiasm and a sense of wonder. With trends pointing to mindful travel, scenic discovery, and digital convenience, this summer’s adventures promise to be as diverse and dynamic as the travellers themselves. —Vita Daily