ByWard Market sees 19 per cent increase in visitors in 2024, data shows

Amid challenges in the ByWard Market, the owners of Dunn's Famous Deli on Dalhousie Street are putting their building up for sale. CTV's Austin Lee reports.

The ByWard Market saw an increase in visits in 2024, with visits in the last three months of the year exceeding pre-pandemic trips to the Ottawa’s tourist area.

The ByWard Market District Authority says there were 22 million visits to the market last year, up 19 per cent from 2023. The 22 million visits include tourists, residents and workers in the market area.

“Our annual visitation numbers are trending closer to pre-pandemic levels from 2019 when the area welcomed 25 million visits,” the authority said in a statement.

“Additionally, the monthly visitation for October, November, and December last year in the ByWard Market exceeded the numbers from the same months in 2019, highlighting a strong upward trend.”

Data released by the ByWard Market District Authority shows the busiest months for visitors were October, July and August, with more than two million visits a month in the market.

The ByWard Market District Authority notes the increase in visitors to the market comes “in a period of revitalization and reinvestment by multiple levels of government.”

The Ontario-Ottawa deal announced last spring includes $20 million to revitalize Ottawa’s downtown, including $11.8 million over three years to transform William Street into a permanent pedestrian-only street.

“William Street is a key element of the ByWard Public Realm Plan. Referred to as ‘Segment Two,’ the transformation of William Street between George and York Streets into a pedestrian hub will create a prominent gateway to the district,” the district authority says. “This completed space will connect transit on Rideau Street to key public areas, enhancing the visitor experience and accessibility.”

The Ottawa Police Service opened a new community hub in the Rideau Centre and police have promised an increased police presence focusing on crime and social disorder in the market and Rideau Street area.

“The increase in visits is a positive sign for the ByWard Market. It speaks to the ongoing work of the City and the ByWard Market District Authority to revitalize,” Coun. Stephanie Plante, who represents the ByWard Market area, said in a statement.

“It also is a strong argument in favour of the need for investments from all levels of government to tackle the ongoing social issues that continue to affect the ByWard Market, Lowertown, Sandy Hill and Vanier neighbourhoods of Ward 12.”

The ByWard Market has seen several changes over the past year, with some long-time businesses closing. Blue Cactus closed on New Year’s Day after more than 35 years. The Courtyard Restaurant, Saslove’s Meat Market, Oz Kafe, Pure Kitchen and he Cupcake Lounge have also closed.