Sophie Demers 

LJI Reporter

Ottawa Tourism and Tourisme Outaouais report a successful tourism season in the region this summer. This may be due to the Stay in Canada campaign encouraging Canadians to explore the country or their very own region.

“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 Tourisme Outaouais.“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.”

The Outaouais region experienced an increase in summer tourism, especially with overnight visitation. In May and June, overnight stays increased by 4.5% compared to the same period last year. July saw an 8.3% increase.

Tourisme Outaouais surveyed local tourist business and the results showed that 87% of respondents rated their summer tourism season as “Good to exceptional”. This is a 13% increase compared to last year.

Across the river in Ottawa, the city saw a 5% increase in hotel stays and a 7% increase in tourism spending compared to 2024. According to Ottawa Tourism data, July and August were the busiest recorded. This was attributed to events such as Bluesfest, Escapade, Ironman Canada-Ottawa and the Canada-USA Women’s rugby match.

Ottawa Tourism launched the Visit Ottawa Pass in June, offering access to 14 top attractions with a customizable pick-5 option. The pass complements the national Canada Strong Pass, which encourages Canadians to explore the country through free or discounted admission to iconic sites. These passes, paired with the Ottawa Museums Pass, provided an incentive for tourists to save on their travels and get more from their visit to the region.

“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. These are hallmarks of our destination, and our tourism industry truly delivered.”

The busy tourism season also extends to smaller towns in the area; Montebello’s tourism information office recorded a 7% increase in visits compared to last year.