International trips by Canadian residents

In 2025, international trips made by Canadian residents are expected to reach 50.8 million, following a period of rapid expansion driven by pent-up demand after pandemic restrictions were lifted. Advancements in aircraft technology and increased disposable income have supported travel growth, though the depreciating Canadian dollar has made travel abroad costlier, tempering some of the recent gains. Recessionary headwinds in 2024 shifted growth lower than post-pandemic highs, yet ongoing consumer appetite, an anticipated soft landing, and stabilized travel activity have helped maintain trip numbers for the current year. Pressure from ongoing US-Canada trade tensions has also begun to impact outbound travel expectations.

From 2020 to 2025, the number of international trips taken by Canadians reflected dramatic volatility. Travel collapsed by 74.0% in 2020, as global pandemic restrictions nearly halted all outbound activity. Additional declines unfolded in 2021 as restrictions remained in force, despite initial vaccine rollouts. The removal of these barriers in late 2021 and 2022 sparked an unprecedented 304.0% annual rebound in 2022, with rebounding demand for cross-border and transcontinental travel. This resurgence was supported as the US and other key destinations reopened their borders, and Canadian households prioritized travel after two years of restrictions. However, inflationary pressures and persistent economic uncertainty muted the pace of further gains. The expansion in 2023 and 2024 was further affected by elevated costs and fears of recession, though overall demand remained supported by strong consumer interest. Toward 2025, macro trends including softening relations with the US and ongoing volatility in exchange rates began to slow trip growth, especially to traditional destinations.

Additional macro trends influencing the period include the rise of digital technologies reducing the necessity for business travel, shifting more travel toward leisure, and the impact of global events on travel confidence and affordability. Shifting consumer preferences, evolving airline capacity, and broader economic and policy developments all played crucial roles in shaping outbound travel by Canadians.