Four B.C. destinations named top travel spots for Canadians | Daily Hive

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Domestic travel in Canada is experiencing a boom, and a new report has revealed that several B.C. destinations are receiving some serious love from Canadians.

Airbnb has put out a report that found nearly every province and territory is experiencing growth in bookings this year.

Half of the top eight trending destinations in Canada right now are in British Columbia, with West Kelowna at the top of the list.

Also among the top hotspots for Canadian visitors are Langley, ranked fourth, Whistler, ranked fifth, and Ucluelet, ranked eighth.

Whistler Blackcomb

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“The vast majority of bookings in Canada were already domestic, so to see a surge this big is especially significant,” said Hannah Parish, country manager of Airbnb Canada, in a release.

“Canadians are continuing to explore their own country, and that’s delivering real economic benefits for hosts, small businesses, and communities nationwide. Domestic travel is becoming a lasting part of our identity, and Canadian hosts are helping make that possible in communities of all sizes.”

Each destination on Airbnb’s list of top-trending destinations offers something unique, reflecting a growing desire among Canadians to explore both urban and rural parts of the country.

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At number one is Kelowna, located in the heart of the Okanagan Valley and surrounded by vast mountains that are perfect for hiking.

There’s Okanagan Lake, which boasts numerous beaches for locals and visitors to enjoy, making it an excellent spot for swimming and boating in the summer.

And after years of planning and regulatory review, construction officially began this summer on the new Okanagan Gondola outdoor recreation and sightseeing attraction just north of Kelowna in the interior of British Columbia.

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Airbnb reports that, while the majority of bookings in Canada were already domestic, 12 of 13 provinces and territories saw a 10 per cent increase in Canadian bookings within the country compared to last year.

Provinces such as Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, and Saskatchewan all experienced the largest increase, with over 20 per cent year-over-year growth in domestic bookings.

While domestic travel is on the rise, Canadians are also showing more interest in international destinations outside of the United States. Trips to countries such as Japan, Brazil, France, Thailand, and Mexico are reflecting a nearly double-digit increase in international bookings compared to 2024.

What do you think about the four B.C. destinations making it onto the top spots for Canadians at the moment? Let us know in the comments.

With files from Laine Mitchell