Domestic travel and short stays on the rise in Canada this summer
Travellers are staying closer to home for their upcoming summer vacations. To help travellers plan the perfect cottage getaway during the remaining weeks of summer between now and Labour Day, Vrbo is spotlighting the top destinations in the country, summer travel trends, and booking tips anyone seeking a cabin, cottage, or vacation rental needs to know.
“Summer is the best time to book a cottage in Canada. The Canada Day holiday was one of the busiest travel weeks of the year and we expect interest to remain high until Labour Day,” said Melanie Fish, Vrbo travel expert. “Canadians are visiting domestic destinations to enjoy the mild temperatures, longer daylight hours, and beauty of cottage country and it’s not too late to book a vacation rental and save with a Last Minute Deal before the season ends.”
Top Domestic Destinations for Summer 2025
Vrbo data indicates strong interest in coastal destinations with British Columbia in the west and Prince Edward Island in the east showing increased travel demand year-over-year:
Vrbo’s most sought-after summer destinations for summer travel:
- Kelowna, British Columbia
- Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
- Muskoka, Ontario
- Victoria, British Columbia
- Laurentians, Quebec
Travellers are also taking shorter trips this summer. Vrbo data revealed a 20% increase in 2-night stays, indicating an appetite for short weekend trips and using any opportunity to get away.
Last-minute Savings and Booking Tips
To make the most of the remaining summer travel season, here are Vrbo’s recommendations for Canadian travellers:
- Last Minute Deals: Procrastinators are in luck. Vrbo now offers discounts for travelers booking a stay within 30 days of their check-in date. Use the “Last minute booking” filter when searching in the Vrbo app and save on your next getaway.
- Reconnect with Nature: All of the top destinations are near lakes, mountains or coasts. Soak up the views, fresh air and everything cottage country has to offer using Vrbo’s Location filters, which allow travellers to narrow down their searches by selecting Waterfront, Mountains, Rural, Pets Allowed and many more.
- Premier Host: Search for vacation rentals owned or managed by a Premier Host. Premier Hosts have a proven track record of providing great experiences for their guests and consistently earning high ratings and reviews. To find properties managed by Premier Hosts, travelers can use the Premier Host filter on the Vrbo app.
To find more cottages, cabins, condos and vacation rentals across Canada, download the Vrbo app or visit vrbo.ca.