Cities to Watch: Canadian Destinations Making Strides Français
Sep 15, 2015, 08:32 ET
- Windsor, Barrie and Mont Tremblant all reported an increase in popularity between both domestic and international travellers
- Revelstoke and Waterloo were new additions to the top 50 most popular destinations for international travellers, entering strong at 30 and 33, respectively
- Winnipeg is the only destination within the top 10 most popular cities for Canadian travellers to experience an increase in popularity
TORONTO, Sept. 15, 2015 /CNW/ - Secondary cities, off the popular tourist path, are making the greatest headway when it comes to attracting travellers, according to the latest Hotel Price Index™ (HPI™) from Hotels.com™. Winnipeg is the one exception as the ninth most popular city for Canadian travellers having broken into the top 10 and climbing two spots in the first half of the year.
Looking at the top 50 most popular Canadian cities for domestic travel, the biggest increases in popularity were reported in Mont Tremblant and Penticton, both climbing six spots. Mont Tremblant, a popular tourist destination for travellers interested in winter sports, likely benefitted from the unseasonably long winter, whereas Penticton has reported an increase in tourism due to the low dollar and growth of staycations. The city is also hosting the 2015 GoMedia conference, which brings in media and travel influencers from around the world.1
Top Canadian Cities for Domestic Travellers with Growing Popularity
| City and Current Rank |
Province |
Increase in popularity YOY |
What Travellers Paid in 2015 per room per night |
Change in Prices Paid YOY |
| Winnipeg: #9 |
MB |
2 |
$139 |
- 1% |
| Saskatoon: #12 |
SK |
2 |
$163 |
-1% |
| Regina: #15 |
SK |
3 |
$139 |
-8% |
| Windsor: #20 |
ON |
2 |
$124 |
1% |
| Mont Tremblant: #22 |
QC |
6 |
$192 |
6% |
| Barrie: #24 |
ON |
2 |
$117 |
2% |
| St John's: #25 |
NL |
4 |
$169 |
-9% |
| Thunder Bay: #29 |
ON |
2 |
$123 |
-5% |
| Langley: #32 |
BC |
1 |
$107 |
5% |
| Penticton: #34 |
BC |
6 |
$160 |
6% |
The biggest growth reported among international visitors was in cities located in British Columbia and Ontario. Two cities, Revelstoke and Waterloo, entered the top 50 and came in strong taking the 30th and 33rd spots. Waterloo, aside from being a popular university town, has established itself as a hub for startups and is often referred to as the Silicon Valley of the North. Tofino, on the other hand, has reaped the benefits of the strong American dollar attracting an influx of U.S. visitors drawn to the area's weather, vibrant scenery and beaches.2
Top Canadian Cities for International Travellers with Growing Popularity
| City and Current Rank |
Province |
Increase in popularity YOY |
What Travellers Paid in 2015 per room per night |
Change in Prices Paid YOY |
| Canmore: #13 |
AB |
1 |
$185 |
5% |
| Windsor: #15 |
ON |
2 |
$134 |
8% |
| Kelowna: #20 |
BC |
3 |
$163 |
3% |
| Mont Tremblant: #21 |
QC |
3 |
$208 |
5% |
| Kamloops: #22 |
BC |
3 |
$116 |
-1% |
| St John's: #25 |
NL |
4 |
$175 |
-8% |
| Revelstoke: #30 |
BC |
NEW |
$150 |
-12% |
| Waterloo: #33 |
ON |
NEW |
N/A |
N/A |
| Tofino: #35 |
BC |
8 |
N/A |
N/A |
| Barrie: #36 |
ON |
8 |
$119 |
4% |
The HPI is a regular report of hotel prices in major destinations across the world, tracking the movement in prices that people actually paid* for their accommodation and providing valuable insight into the reasons behind these changes. The data is drawn from bookings made on the hundreds of thousands of hotels on the Hotels.com websites worldwide.
Please visit http://hpi.hotels.com/ for more information and to view reports in additional currencies. Follow the conversation and get more HPI pricing insights on Twitter at #HotelExperts.
*All prices in Canadian currency. Average prices paid per night inclusive of taxes and fees.
About Hotels.com
Hotels.com, L.P. operates Hotels.com (also known in Canada as Hotels.ca), a leading online accommodation booking website with properties ranging from international chains and all-inclusive resorts to local favorites and bed & breakfasts, together with all the information needed to book the perfect stay. Special apps for mobile phones and tablets can also be downloaded enabling customers to book on the go with access to 20,000 last minute deals.
© 2015 Hotels.com, LP. Hotels.com, The Obvious Choice, Hotel Price Index, HPI and the Hotels.com logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Hotels.com, LP in the U.S. and/or other countries. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.
__________________________________________
1 http://globalnews.ca/news/2187328/low-loonie-boosts-okanagan-tourism/
http://infotel.ca/newsitem/pentictons-economic-development-office-heading-into-a-busy-fall-season/it22705
2 http://www.theglobeandmail.com/technology/kitchener-waterloo-startup/article25558263/
SOURCE Hotels.com
Image with caption: "Revelstoke, Mont Tremblant and Tofino gained popularity as Canadian travellers searched for adventure in their own backyard (CNW Group/Hotels.com)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150915_C7552_PHOTO_EN_496808.jpg
For further information: Media Contact: Melanie Thompson, energi PR for Hotels.com, Phone: (514) 288-8500 x 222, Email: [email protected], Twitter: @energiPR; Taylor L. Cole, APR, Hotels.com North America, Phone: (469) 335-8442, Email: [email protected], Twitter: @TravelwithTLC