Rendez-vous Canada (RVC) has opened in Toronto with more than 500 international buyers, 900-plus sellers and a clear message for Australia’s travel trade: Canada wants more high-value Australian travellers travelling deeper, longer and beyond the obvious stops.
Running from 26 to 29 May 2026, Canada’s largest international tourism trade show is expected to generate more than CAD$100 million in tourism sales, with more than 60,000 pre-scheduled business-to-business appointments connecting global buyers with Canadian tourism operators.
Australia’s Canada appetite grows
Destination Canada Australia Managing Director Julie King said Australia remained a key growth market for Canada, with demand led by travellers seeking more immersive and higher-yield experiences.
“Australia remains a key growth market for Canada driven by strong demand for immersive, high-yield travel experiences and Rendez-vous Canada plays an important role in connecting Australian buyers with tourism experiences that reflect Canada’s focus on a regenerative approach to tourism, in addition to an opportunity to connect Australian buyers with tourism partners from across the country.
“This year, 12 Australian travel buyers are participating in RVC to explore new product and itinerary opportunities – the business generated through RVC supports our seasonal focus, dispersal into local communities and long-term economic benefit for destinations across Canada.”
Canada’s push is focused on seasonal spread, regional dispersal and tourism that delivers longer-term value into local communities.
The country’s product mix continues to lean into nature, culture, Indigenous experiences, wildlife, rail, soft adventure, cities, food and itineraries that stretch beyond the best-known stops.
A record year for RVC
RVC 2026 has attracted more than 1,400 attendees, including buyers from 24 international markets and sellers representing more than 500 Canadian tourism organisations, including Indigenous entrepreneurs.
The 2026 event is also bigger than last year, with more than 100 additional buyers compared with RVC 2025. Last year’s event in Winnipeg generated an estimated CAD$4.6 million in economic impact and CAD$89.6 million in business signed over three days.
This year, the preliminary direct economic impact for Toronto is estimated at around CAD$6.7 million, with a further CAD$5.7 million expected from indirect and induced activity. More than 4,000 hotel room nights have also been secured in the city.
Toronto takes the spotlight
Hosting RVC in Toronto gives international buyers a look at one of Canada’s most globally connected cities ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Toronto welcomed a record 28.2 million visitors last year, generating CAD$9.1 billion in visitor spending. International arrivals were the city’s fastest-growing segment, rising eight per cent to 1.4 million visitors, led by growth from the UK and Germany.
More than 85 Ontario tourism businesses and organisations are also taking part in the marketplace, with approximately 215 buyers and travel trade media joining 17 pre- and post-famil tours across Ontario.
Those trips will showcase experiences spanning outdoor adventure, Indigenous tourism, culinary, cultural and major event travel.
