Rendez-vous Canada 2024 highlights global arrivals to Canada
World market travel stats from Rendez-vous Canada 2024 continue to indicate a robust recovery from the pandemic, in terms of arrivals to Canada from international sources.
The annual Rendez-vous Canada travel marketplace and conference is now underway in Edmonton, Alta. at the Edmonton Convention Centre reports Baxter Media’s Ted Davis, who is attending the event.
The international assessments were presented by Destination Canada at their Inside Track session, which kicked off RVC 2024 this week. These indicated, for example, that the Australian market is expected to hit 2019 tourism spend numbers this year, and 2019 visitation numbers in 2025.
Global travel trends for 2024
Australia
With a growing interest in wellness tourism, Aussie travellers are looking for regenerative experiences that connect them with local and Indigenous communities. Multi-generation travel is also gaining in popularity from Down Under.
China
The Chinese market continues its gradual recovery, and the tourism spend from China is projected to reach 2019 levels in 2024. Visitation numbers will top 2019 figures in 2025, and there is a growing interest in premium travel in the fall from China, said the Inside Track session.
Japan
The Japan market continues on its recovery path, with 2026 as the expected date for visitation and spend statistics to exceed 2019 numbers. Airlift is increasing between Japan and western Canada, with for example new flights to Tokyo from Calgary by WestJet.
Japanese travellers are increasingly interested in premium experiences that align with their passions, including nature, wildlife and Aurora borealis viewing. Indigenous experiences are also growing in popularity for Japanese visitors.
South Korea
Three out of four South Korean travellers are interested in the FIT mode of travel (independent touring), with options for guided day experiences. Experiencing the Canadian outdoors and doing so as a family are top priorities for Koreans. The traveller spend and visitations to Canada will recover to 2019 levels in 2026.
France
French travellers are indicating a demand for off-the-beaten path destinations, with equally unique accommodations to match. Also on their radar are “slow” travel options, like rail journeys and cycling, giving them time for immersion in the destination. Both tourism spend and visitation stats should exceed 2019 numbers by 2025.
U.K.
U.K. travellers are turning to travel advisors and tour operators for their guidance and expertise, with almost 75 per cent of high-value guests using travel professionals for booking travel to Canada. There is a growing demand for premium product by British travellers, as well as trips that have a positive impact on people and the planet. Tourism spend and visitations will recover to 2019 levels in 2025.
Germany
Travel remains an in-demand experience for German travellers, with their Canada spend numbers rebounding past 2019 figures this year, while visitations will top 2019 in 2025. Active seniors are a growing segment of the German travel market, and these people are looking for mindful, restorative experiences.
Mexico
While both the visitation and spend figures by Mexican travellers are expected to achieve 2019 levels this year, the high costs of travel mean that value is a key selling point for this market. High-value guests from Mexico are increasingly seeking sustainable options and are making plans four-to-six months in advance — historically, it has been one month out from their planned departures.
U.S.
The most encouraging tourism recovery trend to Canada is from the U.S., with both tourism spend and visitation numbers on track to reach 2019 levels this year. Slow travel, including travel by rail, is attracting more attention, and frictionless travel is in high demand. Americans are also choosing visits to Quebec as a substitute for Europe, said the Inside Track session.
Rendez-vous Canada 2024 wraps up on May 17.
