China

Market Background

Canada welcomed just over 708,000 Chinese tourists in 2019, surpassing 700K annual arrivals for a second consecutive year. Leading up to 2019, the five-year average annual growth rate for Chinese arrivals to Canada was 10%.

China was Canada's largest source of tourist arrivals from the Asia-Pacific region and Destination Canada’s second largest long-haul market, and largest for spend, in 2019. Chinese leisure visitors to Canada spent an average of $2,900 per trip in 2019, staying for an average of 44 nights. Those travelling solely for vacation purposes typically spent more on shorter trips (average of 15 nights) compared to those visiting friends and relatives, who tend to stay longer (average of 45 nights) but spend less.

Following a steep decline in visitation amid travel restrictions in 2020 and 2021, Chinese visitation to Canada has been gradually increasing throughout 2022. Though still far below pre-pandemic levels, year-to-date arrivals up to October 2022 are up 59% over the same period in 2021.

Chinese travellers typically visit Canada during the peak travel months of July and August; however, they also report high interest in visiting in the spring and early summer.

Chinese travellers considering a trip to Canada are looking for trips that deliver cultural, culinary and outdoor experiences while also providing opportunities to de-stress. Destination safety is also an important consideration.

Fully or partially guided tours or all-inclusive packages are popular choices for a trip to Canada and in 2021 97% of Chinese travellers reported that they would use a travel agent to help research or book a trip to Canada.

For more information on ongoing travel recovery and anticipated visitation from China in 2023, please refer to Destination Canada’s latest Tourism Outlook.