Canada is one of the most beautiful countries in the word, so it should be no surprise that when it comes to travel, Canadians like to enjoy trips within their own country. With its impressive size, Canada has many unique regions – part of the reason exploring is so fun! From the mountains in British Columbia to the mist of Niagara Falls, Hotels.com® has put together a list of the top domestic destinations, using its latest Hotel Price Index™ (HPI™).
The ‘in crowd’: Canada’s top five destinations
- Toronto may not be the capital, but it’s definitely the number one hotspot. It’s a city that can satisfy even the hardest to please travellers. Art and history lovers will appreciate the ROM and AGO, shoppers will enjoy the boutiques in Yorkville, and food lovers? Well, they’ve got the world at their fingertips. With a range of ethnic neighbourhoods, you can satisfy your hunger with cuisine from around the world. Average daily hotel rate: $142.
- Montreal: Craving some European culture, but don’t have the time or budget to leave the country? Then plan a visit to Montreal. This French-speaking city comes in at number two, and has a range of attractions for visitors such as the scenic, and historic, Old Montreal. If you’re craving some exercise and green space, Mont Royal is a must-see, and if you’re hungry? Well you can’t visit without trying the famous smoked meat and, of course, the Canadian favourite, poutine. Average daily hotel rate: $151.
- Vancouver: If you like seeing green, you’ll love Vancouver. But this city has much more than trees and landscapes. For a unique shopping experience, check out the Granville Island Market or, if you’d rather get your heart pumping, hike or bike around the seawall in Stanley Park. If you’re craving a bit of culture plan a visit to Vancouver’s Chinatown, the largest in Canada, and check out the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden. Average daily hotel rate: $144.
- Niagara Falls is one of the world wonders, so naturally it’s near the top of the list. The falls itself is incredibly impressive, especially if you’re up close on the Maid of the Mist or high up on Skylon tower. But there are many other things to check out, like the amusement park attractions on Lundy’s Lane or, for more ‘refined’ entertainment, a show at the Fallsview Casino. Average daily hotel rate: $136.
- Edmonton has seen an increase in popularity and has since made it into the top five domestic destinations – bumping out Ottawa. Visitors will fall for West Edmonton Mall, which has attractions for non-shoppers too including an indoor waterpark, amusement park, ice skating rink and more. Edmonton is known as the ‘Festival city,’ but besides festivals travellers can check out the picturesque river valley, a popular area to hike, walk or ski (in the winter of course), the Old Strathcona Farmers market, or the galleries on 124th street. Average daily hotel rate: $126.
The trend watch: How Canadian cities fared in 2011
Increases: 2011 was a great year for cities like Edmonton, Victoria, Saskatoon, Kelowna, Canmore and Regina which all experienced a boost in popularity. Saskatoon in particular gained a lot of ground climbing from the 17th spot in 2010 to number 13 in 2011.
Decreases: Not all cities were as lucky though, and several destinations from the west coast to central Canada took a beating. Those included: Ottawa, Banff, Whistler, London, Jasper and Kingston.
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Top 20 domestic destinations for Canadian travellers |
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Rank |
2011 |
2010 |
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1 |
Toronto, ON |
Toronto, ON |
|
2 |
Montreal, QC |
Montreal, QC |
|
3 |
Vancouver, BC |
Vancouver, BC |
|
4 |
Niagara Falls, ON |
Niagara Falls, ON |
|
5 |
Edmonton, AB |
Ottawa, ON |
|
6 |
Ottawa, ON |
Edmonton, AB |
|
7 |
Calgary, AB |
Calgary, AB |
|
8 |
Quebec, QC |
Quebec, QC |
|
9 |
Victoria, BC |
Banff, AB |
|
10 |
Banff, AB |
Victoria, BC |
|
11 |
Winnipeg, MB |
Winnipeg, MB |
|
12 |
Halifax, NS |
Halifax, NS |
|
13 |
Saskatoon, SK |
Whistler, BC |
|
14 |
Whistler, BC |
Jasper, AB |
|
15 |
Kelowna, BC |
London, ON |
|
16 |
London, ON |
Kelowna, BC |
|
17 |
Canmore, AB |
Saskatoon, SK |
|
18 |
Jasper, AB |
Kingston, ON |
|
19 |
Regina, SK |
Canmore, AB |
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20 |
Kingston, ON |
Regina, SK |
Planning travel within Canada is really a no brainer. We live in a country that has the best of both worlds, from charming countrysides to big cities with bright lights. It’s no wonder we’re so patriotic… or as we so humbly like to put it, “Canadian.”
*The HPI is a biannual report that looks at hotel prices in cities all around the world. The data is based on bookings made through the Hotels.com website and the prices listed are the actual prices paid by Canadians – not advertised rates. The report compares prices paid in 2010 with those of 2011. For the full report, featuring infographics, detailed maps, colourful photos and a regional breakdown, visit: www.hotel-price-index.com.
