Canada’s Group Travel Comeback: What 2025 Tourism Surveys Reveal

Group travel in Canada is on the rise again.

After several quiet years, charter bus bookings are nearly back to pre-pandemic levels, according to 2025 reports from Transport Canada and Destination Ontario. This resurgence is great news not only for travellers but also for regional tourism operators like Kasper Bus Lines, which serves communities across Northern Ontario, Manitoba, and beyond.

The Numbers

• Transport Canada recorded a 42% increase in domestic group travel in 2024 compared to 2021.

• Tourism Manitoba reported that 61% of visitors from neighbouring provinces arrived by road.

• The average group size for charters grew from 18 to 29 passengers.

These numbers highlight a renewed confidence in ground transportation, driven by flexible scheduling, affordable travel options, and the desire to explore Canada at a slower, more meaningful pace.

Why Buses Lead the Way

Today’s group travellers want comfort, reliability, and connection — and that’s exactly what modern charter buses provide.

With features like Wi-Fi, climate control, charging ports, and onboard restrooms, passengers can stay connected and comfortable on every leg of their journey. But beyond convenience, bus travel reconnects people with the land itself.

Whether it’s the shimmering lakes of Ontario, the wide-open Manitoba plains, or the scenic highways stretching toward Thunder Bay and Winnipeg, the journey becomes part of the experience — not just the gap between destinations.

At Kasper Bus Lines, we’ve seen this shift firsthand. Travellers are once again choosing charter coaches for school trips, company retreats, sports tournaments, and family reunions because shared travel builds shared memories.

Economic Impact

According to the Conference Board of Canada, each charter tour generates over $8,000 in direct local spending on hotels, restaurants, and attractions. That economic ripple supports jobs and small businesses in towns that rely on tourism — from Kenora to Dryden, and across Northern Ontario and Manitoba.

By choosing a Canadian charter bus company like Kasper Bus Lines, travellers aren’t just booking transportation — they’re supporting regional economies and sustainable tourism.

Comparing Travel Choices

• Flights: Faster, but costly and often impersonal.

• Private Cars: Flexible, but fragmented and harder to coordinate for large groups.

• Group Coaches: Affordable, social, sustainable, and designed for togetherness.

For many Canadians, charter buses strike the perfect balance — blending comfort, community, and cost-efficiency.

The Road Ahead

The data all points in one direction: Canadians are rediscovering the joy of travelling together.

Whether it’s a corporate event, school field trip, sports team charter, or a family reunion, people are choosing group travel by bus for the connection, the simplicity, and the shared experience.

As Kasper Bus Lines continues to operate across Ontario, Manitoba, and the U.S. border regions, our mission remains the same — to make travel safe, reliable, and enjoyable for every group on the road.

Every chart and graph tells the same story our drivers already know: the highways are alive again with conversation, laughter, and the steady promise of travel.

Note: Due to Kasper Bus Lines’ strict customer privacy policy, we have shared a fictitious image to protect our customer’s privacy.

Every chart and graph tells the same story that drivers already know. The wheels are turning again, and the road across Northern Ontario and Manitoba is busy with conversation, laughter, and the steady promise of travel.

Data / Analytics Sources:

1. Transport Canada Passenger Mobility Statistics 2025 – 42 percent growth data.

2. Tourism Manitoba Provincial Visitor Survey 2025 – 61 percent road-arrival data.

3. Conference Board of Canada Tourism Economic Impact 2024 – $8 000 per-charter local spend.