OTTAWA, September 9, 2025 — As a successful summer season wraps up, Ottawa Tourism and Outaouais Tourism report strong tourism results on both sides of the river.
From June to August 2025, Ottawa saw a 5% increase in overall hotel demand and a 7% increase in visitor spending compared to the same period in 2024. This growth demonstrates strong visitation throughout the summer to the region. Data shows that July 2025 set a benchmark as the busiest July ever recorded in Ottawa, surpassing the previous high from 2019. Similarly, August 2025 built on this momentum, marking the strongest August on record. These numbers were in part bolstered by the lineup of marquee events in Ottawa, such as Bluesfest, Escapade and the inaugural IRONMAN Canada-Ottawa which coincided with the Canadian Track and Field Championships and record-setting attendance at the Canada-USA Women’s Rugby match.
The Outaouais region experienced an exceptional summer for tourism, marked by a significant increase in overnight visitation. From May to July, the number of nights booked rose by 4.5% compared to the same period in 2024. July stood out with an 8.3% increase. Among the tourist businesses surveyed by Outaouais Tourism, the results are also encouraging: 87% of respondents rated their summer season as good to exceptional, an increase of 13% compared to last year. Additionally, 77.5% of respondents believe that traffic remained stable or increased compared to 2024.
Ottawa Tourism launched the Visit Ottawa Pass in June, complementing the Canada Strong Pass by offering 14 top attractions on a pick-5 pass for adults and a free child’s pass as a bonus. This pass, alongside the Ottawa Museums Pass, not only provided bundled access to key attractions, but also unlocked additional savings at shops, restaurants, and attractions, and gave visitors to Ottawa-Gatineau an affordable incentive, reinforcing the region’s appeal to families and leisure travelers. In fact, all national museums in the region saw an increase in visitor numbers, directly reflecting the positive impact of these experiences on the tourism economy.
The new Ottawa Visitor Centre and the Maison du tourisme in Gatineau supported thousands of guests throughout the summer, offering tailored trip planning, curated itineraries and frontline hospitality that helped visitors make the most of their stay. The Bureau d'information touristique de Montebello, for its part, recorded a 7% increase in visitation compared to 2024.
“This summer, we were encouraged to see Canadians choosing to discover Ottawa and the region in greater numbers, increasing our market share and confirming expectations of a strong sense of Canadian pride reflected in travel decisions,” said Michael Crockatt, President and CEO of Ottawa Tourism. “Visitors came to connect with Canada’s capital region, the cultural and recreational opportunities in both urban and rural settings, and the natural beauty that are hallmarks of our destination, and our tourism industry truly delivered.”
“Summer 2025 was excellent for the Outaouais tourism industry, as demonstrated by the sharp increase in accommodation occupancy, generating significant economic benefits for the region. Visitors explored all areas of the Outaouais region, enjoying both our urban and cultural offerings and our wide-open spaces," said Geneviève Latulippe, President and CEO of Outaouais Tourism. “Together, the Outaouais region and Ottawa form a complementary destination that attracts and retains a large pool of visitors, as this summer’s results show.”
About Ottawa Tourism
Through its values of inclusivity, trust, collaboration, and innovation, Ottawa Tourism pursues its vision to be one of Canada’s most visited, sustainable, vibrant, and appealing urban destinations, as well as the tourism authority for key economic development and city-building decisions in Ottawa. Canada’s capital welcomes an estimated 9.8 million visitors annually who spend $2.6 billion in the community.
About Outaouais Tourism
Outaouais Tourism is a private, non-profit organization created by and for the industry over 40 years ago. Outaouais Tourism is a privileged partner of the Quebec Government in the tourism sector and contributes to the region’s economic development by overseeing regional coordination, hospitality, information, promotion, marketing and tourism development.
For more information, please contact:
Jérôme Miousse
Director, Public Affairs
Ottawa Tourism
corporate@ottawatourism.ca
Alice Charbonneau-Bernier
Communications and Public Relations Manager
Outaouais Tourism
acharbonneau-bernier@tourisme-outaouais.ca
