Key Takeaways
- China resumed approved group tours to Canada in late 2025 after a diplomatic thaw, ending a travel ban that began in 2020.
- Recent policy moves—visa‑free entry for Canadian and British passport holders (up to 30 days) and an incremental rise to 20 direct flights per week—have lowered barriers for travelers.
- Chinese tourists are again a vital revenue source for Canada’s tourism sector, with projected spending rising from US$1.15 billion in 2025 to roughly US$1.41 billion in 2026 (≈23 % growth).
- Personal motivations, such as family ties, scenic appeal, and Canada’s multicultural environment, drive interest among Chinese travelers like Li Wei of Beijing.
- Two‑way tourism is strengthening: Canadian tour operators report more than quadrupled bookings for China trips, while Chinese agencies see spring Canada tours sell out.
- Beyond economics, both nations view tourism as a soft‑power tool to showcase development and improve bilateral relations amid broader geopolitical shifts.
Background of the travel restrictions and recent thaw
When China first imposed blanket travel restrictions on Canada and several other countries in early 2020, diplomatic ties were already strained. The arrest of Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou in Vancouver on a U.S. extradition warrant in late 2018, followed by the detention of Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, had pushed Beijing‑Ottawa relations to a low point. Consequently, Canada was omitted from the initial list of “approved destination status” countries when China began reopening group travel in phases during 2023. It was only in late 2025, after a series of high‑level diplomatic engagements—including Prime Minister Mark Carney’s meeting with President Xi Jinjin in Beijing—that Canada was reinstated as an approved destination, signalling a warming of bilateral ties.
Li Wei’s personal perspective
Li Wei, a Beijing resident consulting with a Utour Group travel agent, exemplifies the renewed interest among Chinese travelers. Although the Rocky Mountains were not on her immediate itinerary, she said she is now considering Canada more seriously as group tours resume. Li cited a nephew studying in Toronto and a past contemplation of emigrating to Canada as personal connections that fuel her curiosity. She told CBC News that the “beautiful scenery” and Canada’s reputation as a “multi‑ethnic country” are the main draws, emphasizing a desire to experience the nation’s life, environment, and atmosphere first‑hand.
Utour Group’s observations and business impact
Li Mengran, manager of Utour Group’s Beijing office, reported that spring tours to Canada have sold out, reflecting strong demand despite volumes still lagging pre‑pandemic levels. The agency notes that the resumption of approved group travel, combined with recent facilitative measures, has translated into tangible business growth. Utour’s experience mirrors a broader trend among Chinese tour operators, who are seeing increased inquiries and bookings for Canadian destinations as confidence in the safety and accessibility of travel returns.
Policy changes facilitating travel
Several concrete policy adjustments have accompanied the diplomatic rapprochement. In February 2025, the Chinese government waived the lengthy visa application process for Canadian and British passport holders staying up to 30 days, a move that Li Mengran highlighted as a key driver of the surge in bookings. Shortly thereafter, Transport Canada announced an “incremental increase” in permitted direct flights between the two countries, raising the cap to 20 flights per week. This expansion helps offset earlier restrictions that had barred Canadian carriers from using Russian airspace while allowing Chinese carriers to continue operating. Additionally, cultural diplomacy efforts—such as a meeting between Canada’s Culture Minister Marc Miller and China’s Culture and Tourism Minister Sun Yeli in Beijing—underscore the commitment to reinforcing soft‑power ties through tourism.
Canadian tourism industry response
Canadian tour operators are already feeling the benefits. Laurus Travel Inc., a Vancouver‑based agency, told CBC News that bookings for its China tours have “more than quadrupled” between late February and late May 2025 compared with the same period in 2024, achieved without additional advertising. Owner Julius Yan attributed the spike directly to China’s visa‑free policy for Canadians, noting an expectation that the trend will accelerate. At the national level, Destination Canada’s CEO Marsha Walden reported that Chinese visitors love to engage with local culture, cuisine, and shopping, making them high‑value spenders. The organization projects that revenue from Chinese tourists will grow by almost 23 % this year, rising from an estimated US$1.15 billion in 2025 to roughly US$1.41 billion in 2026, according to Statistics Canada data.
Economic significance of Chinese tourists
Before the pandemic, Chinese travelers contributed close to US$2 billion annually to Canada’s tourism economy, underscoring their importance as a core market segment. Although current arrivals have not yet reached those pre‑COVID heights, the upward trajectory signals a meaningful recovery. The resurgence is especially valuable for sectors such as retail, hospitality, and cultural attractions, where Chinese visitors tend to diversify their spending across multiple categories. This financial inflow supports jobs and stimulates local economies, reinforcing the rationale behind both countries’ push to revitalize tourism links.
Soft power and bilateral relations
Beyond dollars and jobs, tourism serves as a conduit for soft‑power engagement. Li Mengran of Utour Group articulated that welcoming tourists from different countries allows them to “fully understand the country’s development,” a sentiment echoed by Canadian officials who view increased Chinese visitation as an opportunity to showcase Canada’s natural beauty, multicultural society, and innovative industries. Simultaneously, China’s own outbound tourism ambitions align with its broader goal of projecting global influence; facilitating travel to Canada and other nations helps portray Beijing as a responsible, open partner. The newly launched China‑Canada Financial Working Group, spearheaded by Finance Minister François‑Philippe Champagne during a spring visit to Beijing, further illustrates how tourism initiatives are being woven into wider economic and diplomatic strategies.
Overall outlook and challenges
While the numbers remain below pre‑pandemic benchmarks—March 2025 saw 17,940 Chinese visitors to Canada, up from 10,632 in March 2024—the consistent upward trend, coupled with policy easing and renewed diplomatic goodwill, suggests a promising path forward. Challenges remain, including potential fluctuations in geopolitical relations, the need to sustain flight capacity, and ensuring that tourism growth translates into equitable benefits across regions. Nevertheless, the mutual enthusiasm expressed by travelers like Li Wei, industry leaders such as Marsha Walden and Julius Yan, and government officials on both sides points to a revitalized Canada‑China tourism corridor that could become a stable pillar of their bilateral relationship in the years ahead.