Toronto experienced a tourism boom in 2025, with a record 28.2 million visitors and $9.1 billion in direct spending, marking the highest figures in the city’s history.
Fresh data released by Destination Toronto reveals that the influx of 28.2 million visitors translated into over $9 billion in direct spending, surpassing the previous year’s record by four percent. Notably, 37 percent of this spending originated from the U.S. and international markets.
The tourism sector saw a significant uptick in international arrivals, with visits from the UK increasing by 12 percent and from Germany by 10 percent. Domestic visits also rose by three percent, reaching 25 million, as more Canadians opted for domestic travel over trips to the U.S. However, the number of U.S. visitors to Toronto dropped by six percent compared to the previous year, totaling 1.9 million.
Andrew Weir, President and CEO of Destination Toronto, highlighted Toronto’s resilience as a top global destination amidst economic uncertainties. He emphasized the city’s ability to offer compelling experiences and a warm welcome to travelers and meeting planners.
Mayor Olivia Chow noted that the influx of visitors continues to invigorate Toronto’s neighborhoods and cultural landscape. She praised the city’s dynamic neighborhoods, diverse cultural scene, global cuisine, and major events that attract visitors worldwide.
The tourism industry’s cornerstone, large meetings and conventions, experienced a remarkable resurgence in 2025. Toronto hosted 74 major meetings, a 51 percent increase year-over-year, with an estimated 378,000 delegates and nearly $1 billion in economic impact.
Weir emphasized the strategic importance of these events in attracting investment and talent to key sectors such as life sciences, technology, AI, manufacturing, and finance, ultimately boosting the local and regional economy.
Looking ahead to 2026, Toronto is gearing up to host six FIFA World Cup matches, the FIFA Fan Festival, and city-wide celebrations expected to garner significant international attention.
Several major conferences are also on the city’s agenda, including the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation Annual Meeting, the IEEE International Conference on Quantum Computing and Engineering, and the Joint Americas–European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis conference.