A recent survey conducted for the Business Development Bank of Canada's annual tourism outlook indicates that Canadians plan to maintain their travel plans in 2026, even in the face of higher transportation costs and economic uncertainty.Nine out of ten Canadians are expected to travel this year, with 92 per cent planning at least one domestic trip.

In contrast, only 70 per cent are considering international travel, and just 30 per cent are planning trips to the United States, partly due to ongoing boycotts.This shift towards domestic travel could generate up to $4.6 billion in additional GDP if Canadians replace one overnight trip abroad with a domestic visit.Households anticipate spending an average of $7,000 on travel this year, with at least one-third being spent within Canada.

The survey also revealed that 81 per cent of Canadians are making affordability-related adjustments, such as selecting cheaper accommodations or travelling during off-peak periods.

Despite recent spikes in energy prices following international conflicts, the BDC remains confident in a strong domestic tourism season, supported by a relatively stable Canadian dollar and eased accommodation prices.

Overall, the outlook for 2026 is positive, with travel seen as an important part of Canadians' lives and the domestic tourism sector expected to benefit economically.