Traveling in Canada: A hidden gem with big potential
Canada often gets overlooked as a travel destination. People rave about ski trips to Colorado or coastal escapes in California, yet Canada has just as much to offer. The landscapes are vast, the culture is diverse, and the Airbnb market is beginning to catch the eye of travelers and investors alike.
Why Canada Deserves More Attention
From coast to coast, Canada has a variety of experiences that don’t always make the travel headlines. The Rocky Mountains in Alberta rival any ski resort in the U.S. The Maritimes offer rugged coastlines and some of the freshest seafood you’ll ever eat. Then there’s Quebec, where travelers can walk cobblestone streets that feel like a slice of Europe without leaving North America.
Despite all this, many visitors bypass Canada in favor of destinations south of the border. Flights into Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver are often more affordable than flying into Denver or Los Angeles, which makes the lack of attention surprising. For those willing to look north, the rewards are huge.
Airbnb opportunities that rival the US
Airbnb has become a major part of modern travel. In places like Boulder, Colorado, mountain cabins are booked out months in advance. In California, beachside rentals can cost as much as a luxury hotel. Canada offers a similar setup, but often at a fraction of the price.
Whistler, British Columbia, is an example. Known for its world-class skiing and mountain biking, the demand for rentals remains steady year-round. In Ontario, cottages along Muskoka’s lakes provide the same “lake life” experience that people seek in California’s wine country retreats. The best part? Many properties cost less to buy, which means lower overhead for hosts and potentially higher margins.
For investors, this makes Canada one of the most underrated short-term rental markets right now. Regulations vary by province and city, but the overall demand trend is clear: travelers want flexible stays that let them experience Canada’s natural beauty firsthand.
Exploring beyond the big cities
Have you ever been outside of the big city and to a place like Mont Tremblant? Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver get most of the attention, but smaller destinations are starting to shine. Halifax is attracting digital nomads who want a slower pace of life without losing access to culture and nightlife. In Alberta, Banff and Jasper are pulling in adventure travelers year-round. On the west coast, Vancouver Island combines rainforests, surf towns, and whale-watching, all within a few hours of each other.
These areas may not yet have the rental saturation seen in U.S. hot spots, which means more opportunity for early movers. A traveler who books a lakeside cottage in Nova Scotia or a mountain chalet in Golden, British Columbia, often feels like they’ve stumbled onto something special, and that word-of-mouth spreads quickly.
All in all, Canada is underrated
Traveling in Canada is still underrated, which is strange considering everything it has to offer. The scenery competes with Colorado, the coastline rivals California, and the Airbnb opportunities are wide open for both travelers and hosts. For those looking to explore somewhere new, Canada isn’t just an alternative, it’s a destination that deserves to be at the top of the list.
