It was another hot summer for the tourism sector in Ottawa, with an increase in demand for hotel rooms. Ottawa Tourism says between June and August, Ottawa recorded “another strong summer tourism season,” with hotel room demand increasing three per cent year-over-year. “Hotel occupancy slightly up compared to summer 2025,” Ottawa Tourism said in a media release. “July delivered particularly strong results, with hotel demand exceeding the record-setting levels achieved in 2025.” The summer tourism season included Ottawa Bluesfest, Ottawa Jazz Festival, Escapade, the Ironman Canada-Ottawa event and the Canadian Track and Field Championships. It was also the second summer of the Canada Strong Pass, which provided free admission to national museums in Ottawa-Gatineau to children aged 17 and under, and discounted admission for 18- to 24-year-olds. “Summer 2026 has been another outstanding season for Canada’s capital region,” Michael Crockatt, President and CEO of Ottawa Tourism, said in a statement. “Visitors continue to respond to the combination of major events, cultural experiences and outstanding value available throughout Ottawa and the Outaouais. Events such as our summer festivals, sporting events, and those associated with Ottawa 200 all gave people even more reasons to visit and explore the destination this year.” Ottawa Tourism says the busy tourism season should continue into the fall, with the Wheelchair Basketball World Championships underway, the Aero Gatineau-Ottawa this weekend, CityFolk festival and a “strong schedule of meetings, conventions and sporting events.” In Gatineau, tourism officials say the number of rented accommodation units increased by 9.1 per cent in the May to July period compared to the same period last year.
