With more high-end travellers seeking experiential breaks, a destination as diverse and exciting as Canada has seen a tourism boom in recent years. Holidaymakers are seeking more than just a beach break, with bucket list destinations like Banff and Montreal growing more popular every year. This is partly due to the restrictions on travel over recent years and an expanding luxury market, with Gen Z travellers prioritizing travel more than ever after the pandemic.
This article explores Canada’s luxury travel market, spotlighting Montreal, and delves into its future trajectory in the years ahead.
What’s Driving Canada’s Luxury Travel Boom?
Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, luxury travel had a global market value of US$1.2 trillion. Since then, experts have noticed a considerable uptick in experiential getaways, from Banff ski holidays to South African safaris.
There are a few drivers behind this shift, such as the urgency experienced in a post-COVID world to tick off bucket list destinations. People, especially Gen-Z travellers, seem willing to spend a larger percentage of their income on travel, and multigenerational holidays are on the rise. As more older travellers embrace long-haul trips, affluent visitors are increasingly choosing destinations like Canada.
So, if a higher number of international travellers are prepared to spend more money while visiting Canada, how is the country prepared to accommodate them? Well, compared to developing experiential destinations found in Africa and the Far East, Canada is extremely well-positioned to handle high numbers of luxury travellers.
A host of luxury five-star hotels, great connections between major cities, and a world of activities like skiing and white water rafting make Canada a dream luxury destination. No matter the type of holiday you’re looking for, you can find it in The Great White North.
How Private Air Travel is Redefining Luxury Tourism
Speaking of connections between major cities, Canada has a vast transport network that spans air, road, and rail. For the casual traveller, catching regional buses or driving in an RV is perfectly fine. However, for time-sensitive high-flyers and those looking for the very best ways to travel, Aviation Charter Services is a popular and increasingly accessible option, especially with commercial Canadian airlines becoming so unreliable in recent years.
Luckily for high-net-worth individuals, Canada is home to the world’s third-largest business aviation fleet. For longer trips like Montreal to Vancouver, a mid-size jet is ideal, though it can be pricey. Shorter flights, such as Montreal to Ottawa, Toronto, or New York, can often be managed with a light jet, which becomes surprisingly cost-effective when travelling with family or in larger groups.
How Montreal Is Capturing the High-End Traveler
Montreal was named by Travel+Leisure readers as one of their favourite Canadian cities in 2023. The city is developing a great reputation among sophisticated global jet setters. It is home to stylish bars like Mon Lapin and Le Mal Necessaire, which boast both Canadian hospitality and Parisian glamour unlike anywhere else on Earth.
Montreal is also home to some of Canada’s most celebrated and award-winning city hotels. Hotel Nelligan, in the heart of Old Montreal, is ideally located close to Notre-Dame Basilica and Old Port Waterfront. In summer, you can sip artisanal cocktails on the seasonal rooftop terrace. The Ritz-Carlton Montreal opened in 1912 and is arguably the most luxurious place to stay in the city to date.
For those seeking a dose of retail therapy, Sainte-Catherine Street is calling. From handbags at Michael Kors and winter layers at Canada Goose to shoes at Steve Madden and the finest of jewelry at Swarovski, all your retail needs will be met down this ancient boulevarde.
Luxury Tourism’s Impact on Montreal’s Local Scene
Some might worry that the rise in luxury travel might be a problem for local Montrealers. While this is a commendable concern, it isn’t quite based in reality. Montreal has always had a luxury market — the historic hotels, glitzy bars, and endless stream of chef-owned restaurants are a testament to that. People across North America have travelled here to soak in the city’s luxurious French charm.
It’s only now that more people from around the world are discovering it for themselves. As the second biggest city in Canada, Montreal has never been much of a hipster’s budget destination, even if people weren’t travelling halfway around the world to visit.
For local business owners, this influx of luxury travellers simply means more opportunities. With tourism in the city expected to double in the next twenty years and Montreal already hosting around 120 festivals a year, the opportunities for small business owners and entrepreneurs are quite literally endless.
The Future of Canada’s Lap of Luxury
The future of luxury travel in Canada, and specifically in Montreal, is set for a transformative shift. Notable developments include the upcoming $80 million renovation of the historic Ritz-Carlton and plans for luxury boutique hotels along the city’s waterfront.
Elsewhere in Canada, projects such as the $1.5 billion expansion of Whistler Blackcomb’s luxury ski resort highlight a strong trend in the development of existing luxury destinations. The opening of ultra-luxury lodges in Banff and Jasper National Parks also highlights a doubling-down in terms of providing new luxury experiences.
What Are You Waiting For?
Canada’s luxury travel boom is reshaping its tourism landscape, with Montreal emerging as a shining example of the country’s growing appeal to affluent travellers.
Across Canada, private air travel, high-end accommodations, and bespoke experiences are drawing global attention, with Montreal leading the charge as a city that seamlessly blends historic charm with contemporary luxury.
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