Ontario town sees huge spike in demand among international travellers

A small town in Canada that's a favourite getaway among locals is quickly gaining international popularity.

Travel platform Expedia recently published its Destinations of the Year report, which highlights upcoming trends in 2027, and a town in Canada is among the top 10 locations seeing a surge in searches.

"Expedia's Destinations of the Year ranks some of 2027's fastest-growing travel destinations, using real search data to track where traveller interest is climbing," the report states.

The report compares searches for flights and accommodations on Expedia from Sept. 1, 2025, to July 27, 2026, vs. Sept. 1, 2024, to July 27, 2025.

The results show a growing interest among travellers looking to explore places off the beaten path.

"These places might not be dominating mainstream travel content just yet, but they're gaining attention," reads the report.

What's the top trending destination in Canada?

While major cities like Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, and Calgary remain popular with tourists, travellers are also looking at smaller destinations, including one town in Ontario.

According to Expedia, searches for Niagara-on-the-Lake increased by 35 per cent year over year. That's the same increase seen in Perugia, Italy, and The Tweed, Australia.

Home to around 20,000 residents according to the latest census, Niagara-on-the-Lake is known for its well-preserved 19th-century architecture. Visitors can spend an afternoon wandering its historic streets, checking out boutiques and art galleries, or grabbing a bite at a cozy local cafe or restaurant.

There's also plenty to see for wine lovers.

The area has over 20 wineries, and visitors can tour vineyards and sample local wines. If you'd rather spend time outdoors, you can cycle along scenic country roads, stroll along the Niagara River, or take in the waterfront views of Lake Ontario.

Other trending destinations

Here's the full ranking of all the trending destinations for 2027, based on the year-over-year increase in searches:

1. South Lake Tahoe, Calif., U.S. — 195 per cent increase in searches
2. Hyogo, Japan — 95 per cent increase in searches
3. Punta del Este, Uruguay — 65 per cent
4. Sedona, Ariz., U.S. — 55 per cent
5. Busan, South Korea — 50 per cent
6. Holbox, Mexico — 45 per cent
7. Perugia, Italy — 35 per cent
8. The Tweed, NSW, Australia — 35 per cent
9. Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont., Canada — 35 per cent
10. Chichester, U.K. — 30 per cent

You can read the full report on Expedia's website.