Toronto Tourism Statistics

Page last updated: 05 May 2025

Toronto, the largest city in Canada, is known for its multicultural mosaic and attractions. From its diverse cultural landscape and iconic skyline to its culinary scene and contributions to arts and innovation, Toronto attracts millions of tourists from around the world.

How many people visit Toronto every year? 

Over 8.99 million visitors travelled to Toronto in 2024, representing 94% of 2019 levels.¹

•  Toronto welcomed approximately 9.55 million visitors in 2019, which included 6.13 million Canadians, 1.93 million Americans, and 1.49 million international travelers.

• However, in 2020, the number of visitors decreased to 2.43 million, marking just 26% of the 2019 total due to the global pandemic. This figure comprised 1.99 million domestic, 240,000 U.S., and 190,000 international tourists.

• In the following year, 2021, Toronto saw a recovery with 3.28 million visitors, representing 34% of 2019’s levels. Domestic travelers led the recovery at 2.82 million, followed by 250,000 visitors from the U.S. and 210,000 from other international locations.

• Visitor numbers climbed to over 6.12 million in 2022, reaching 64% of the 2019 benchmark. This total included 4.39 million Canadian tourists, nearly 988,000 from the U.S., and 743,000 international visitors.

• The city received around 8.60 million visitors in 2023 and 8.99 million in 2024, demonstrating a strong recovery. In 2024, the total included 6.3 million domestic visitors, 1.6 million from the U.S., and  1.09 million international travelers.

How many people visited Toronto in 2024? 

• Toronto received 8.99 million overnight arrivals, reaching 94% of 2019 levels. This includes 6.3 million domestic visitors, 1.6 million from the U.S., and 1.09 million international travelers.

How many people visited Toronto in 2023? 

Over 8.6 million people visited Toronto in 2023, reaching 89% of 2019 levels.

• This included 6.1 million Canadian visitors (100% of 2019 levels), 1.5 million U.S. tourists (78% of 2019 levels), and 1 million international visitors (67% of 2019 levels).

How much do visitors spend in Toronto every year?

Total tourism revenue in Toronto reached approximately $8.7 billion in 2024, surpassing pre-pandemic levels by 132% of 2019 figures. This growth was largely fueled by domestic tourism, which performed exceptionally well at 123% of 2019 levels.

• 2019 saw tourism spending peak at $6.61 billion, a modest 2.5% increase from 2018. Canadian tourists contributed $3.59 billion (97% of 2018 levels), U.S. visitors spent $1.32 billion (102%), and international visitors spent $1.7 billion (117%).

• The impact of the pandemic was most evident in 2020, when total spending dropped to $1.72 billion, only 26% of 2019’s revenue. Domestic spending amounted to $1.19 billion, while U.S. and international tourists spent $300 million and $230 million, respectively.

• In 2021, spending recovered slightly to $2.1 billion (32% of 2019 levels), led by $1.64 billion from Canadian visitors, $270 million from U.S. tourists, and $190 million from international travelers.

• By 2022, the city recorded $4.85 billion in tourism revenue, about 74% of pre-pandemic levels. Domestic travelers again led the recovery with $3.05 billion in spending, followed by $1 billion from the U.S. and $800 million from other international markets.

•  In 2023, visitor spending climbed to $8.4 billion, marking the first year tourism revenue exceeded pre-pandemic levels, reaching approximately 132% of 2019 totals.

How much did visitors spend in Toronto in 2024?

• Total tourism revenue in Toronto reached $8.7 billion, surpassing pre-pandemic levels by 132% of 2019 spending.

How much did visitors spend in Toronto in 2023?

Tourism spending in 2023 totalled $8.4 billion (127% of 2019 levels), surpassing pre-pandemic figures for the first time.

• Canadian visitors accounted for $5.3 billion (148% of 2019 levels), U.S. spending reached $1.6 billion (121% of 2019 levels), and international spending totalled $1.5 billion (88% of 2019 levels).

Where do visitors to Toronto come from?

The major source of Toronto’s inbound tourists was the United States with 1.6 million visitors in 2024. 

• Other key international markets (excluding the U.S.) in the same period included the United Kingdom (169,400), China (85,100), Germany (52,600), and Brazil (40,100).²

How long do visitors stay in Toronto?

• Visitors typically stay for 3 to 5 days to thoroughly enjoy Toronto’s key sights and activities. This includes exploring landmarks like the Old City Hall, admiring the skyline, dining at diverse restaurants and cafes, and visiting attractions like the Science Center and the Zoo.³

When is the peak tourist season in Toronto?

The peak tourist months in Toronto are from May to September with August having the highest number of total visitors in Toronto, with 1.01 million arrivals in 2024, driven by warm weather, major events, and the height of summer vacation travel.

• July followed closely with 965,000 visitors, as families and international travelers took advantage of school holidays and sunny outdoor festivals across the city.

• June welcomed 863,000 tourists, marking the start of peak travel season, with increasing temperatures and pre-summer events attracting early vacationers.

• October and September remained steady with 772,000 and 771,000 arrivals, respectively, as fall colors, mild weather, and cultural festivals kept the city lively and appealing to international visitors.
  
• December brought in 763,000 tourists, as holiday markets, festive lights, and seasonal celebrations made Toronto a winter getaway for many travelers.

How popular is Toronto as a tourist destination?

Ranked 23rd on “The World’s Best Cities 2024,” Toronto stands out for its tourism appeal. Despite not claiming the top global position, it is Canada’s most popular city for visitors.⁴

Canada Travel Resources

Top Attractions in Toronto

• St. Lawrence Market: This is where you can taste Toronto’s flavours, find gourmet ingredients, and enjoy artisan crafts. The market welcomes over 5 million visitors annually.

• Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada: A place to explore underwater life in the heart of Toronto, drawing around 1.6 million visitors annually.

• CN Tower: A well-known feature of Toronto’s skyline, offering wide views of the city. The CN Tower attracts over 1.5 million visitors annually.

• Royal Ontario Museum (ROM): The museum features exhibits from natural history to world cultures and receives approximately 1 million visitors each year.

• The Entertainment District: This area is the centre of Toronto’s nightlife, with the CN Tower, Scotiabank Arena, Rogers Centre, and museums, theatres, and restaurants, attracting millions of visitors annually.

Canada Statistics Resources

• Canada Statistics
  • Montreal Statistics
  • Vancouver Statistics

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References

1. DT: Visitors Economy – Q1 and Q2 Report ↩︎
2. DT: Market Performance – by country of origin ↩︎
3. NYT: Average day spent in Canada ↩︎
4. Resonance: World’s 100 Best Cities ↩︎