A majority of Canadians are concerned about overtourism

Many Canadians pride themselves on the natural beauty of the country, and a lot of work goes into maintaining that, whether that means being more conscientious of the environment or literally managing the amount of people in any site of natural wonder. It makes sense then that that attitude extends to tourism. A new survey from Flight Centre revealed 71% of Canadians are concerned about the impacts of overtourism.

“Canadians are curious by nature, but they’re also conscientious,” Nate Mosher, travel expert at Flight Centre Canada, said in a statement. “They want to see the world without overwhelming it, and that often means taking the road less travelled.”

Canadians’ overtourism concerns

For many travellers, the dream vacation isn’t just about escaping the daily grind, it’s also about escaping the crowds. In fact, more than three-quarters of Canadians say that popular tourist attractions are often too busy to truly enjoy. And 81% would gladly trade a packed hotspot for a quieter, equally stunning destination.

This growing desire for breathing room is about comfort, but it's about conscience, too. Over half of Canadians say they’d be willing to pay a destination fee if it helped support sustainable tourism. And many agree with the sentiment behind local protests in over-visited areas: some places simply need a break from the tourist trail.

That’s where Flight Centre’s approach to smarter, more responsible travel comes in. The travel company encourages vacationers to think beyond the beaten path, opting for lesser-known towns and cities, planning trips during off-peak seasons and choosing to support small, local businesses wherever possible.

“Responsible tourism doesn’t mean compromising on experiences,” says Mosher. “It means discovering unique places like Montenegro instead of Croatia, or Sevilla instead of Barcelona—and doing it at the right time of year.”

The reward? A richer, more personal journey. “You still get incredible memories,” Mosher adds, “but with fewer crowds and a deeper connection to the place you’re visiting. And those small choices? They help keep these destinations special — not just for locals, but for future travellers, too.”

Survey methodology

Results come from a global survey by YouGov of 6,141 adults (1,047 from Australia, 1,023 from New Zealand, 1,051 from the U.K., 1,105 from South Africa, 1,006 from the U.S. and 1,109 from Canada). The survey was carried out online from January 10 to 20, weighted to be representative of all adults aged 18 and above that are planning to travel in 2025.