By Waheeda Harris
As Canadians, we’re spoiled with endless wild places we can explore within our own borders. With almost 700 million of us on this planet putting out the shingle “out of office” in the first six months of this year, the desire to travel is not slowing down.
According to research from the United Nations World Tourism Organization, Canada is part of the 62 percent of regions where travel has resumed to almost 2019 levels.1
Wander North spoke to four small business owners in Ontario’s tourism sector who are on the front lines of travel as accommodation owners.
Backing onto Oro Mountain in Hawkstone, this family farm and equestrian centre is more than just a place for luxury camping; guests can also spot wildlife in the surrounding fields and forests. Tree huggers take note, there’s plenty of ancient trees, including maple, beech, oak, birch, cedar and pine, activities including trail rides and located close to several Oro-Medonte attractions.
With eco-friendly tiny cabins in several locations, including Kirkfield and Haliburton Forest and Wild Life Reserve, guests will appreciate being able to drive-in or hike-in to remote green spaces. These off-the-grid accommodations will encourage the love of being in the wilderness and with a little help from can include packages featuring inspo for romance, treats for a canine companion and an itinerary for a mystery road trip.
The OG for glamping in eastern Ontario, these safari-style tents in Grafton include boutique-style ambience and amenities in a natural setting in the countryside. A favourite for 10 years, especially for couples seeking a romantic getaway in nature and for many, a memorable wedding venue among the trees, this luxe camping site also includes a saltwater pool, hot tub, barrel sauna, hiking trails and wellness options.
Launched in a renovated motel in the Ottawa Valley in 2021, this modern inn opened its second location in a reimagined manor house in Collingwood in 2024. Featuring Scandinavian design, thermal spa, fire pit lounges and wine bars, these inns are creating laid-back retreats perfectly made for urbanites wanting a getaway.
From day-to-day challenges they’re facing to what they’re hearing from guests, here are their thoughts on what’s happening now and predictions for 2026.
What’s the number one request from your guests?
Luke Sedgwick, Glen Oro Farm – Can you pick me up at my accommodation and shuttle me to X? We have 4×4 UTVs for guests to shuttle them to their accommodations with their luggage and gear. We encourage guests to explore the property and immerse themselves in nature. Guests often request a ride in the UTVs!
Laura Mendes, Cabinscape – One of the biggest and most consistent requests we get from guests is for pup-friendly cabins. Over the years we’ve seen just how many of our guests are dog owners who want to bring their pets along for the adventure. They see their pups as part of the family.
Jenna Corcoran, Whispering Springs – one of the most common requests we receive is for WI-FI access. Many people arrive expecting to stay connected, but once they settle, they often find the rewarding parts of their stay. We like to encourage guests to embrace it as a chance for a genuine digital detox—put the phone down, listen to the sounds of the forest, and reconnect with themselves.
Joel Greaves, Somewhere Inn – most guests want our local recommendations: where to eat, drink and explore. We love that part of the job. Some of our go-tos include Gibson & Co for coffee or a glass of wine, Bar Gondola for late-night cocktails, The Pine for a Michelin-star meal, Heart’s Tavern, Bello Pizza and Lovebird for something casual and delicious.
Have any recent travel trends benefited your business?
Luke Sedgwick, Glen Oro Farm – We have been consistent with solo travellers and a lot of guests are thankful we chose not to add wifi or tv in the accommodations. Any trend that gets me to step out of my day to day “grind” or normal working mentality and shift perspective to appreciate my life as is or gives me time with less distraction.
The connectivity we see with both self and our loved ones always make it worthwhile. We’re all about the move towards meaningful travel—fewer trips, but better ones. The kind where you leave your phone in your bag and relax.
Laura Mendes, Cabinscape – We’ve noticed a clear shift toward last minute getaways and guests looking to maximize value through deals and meaningful experiences. People aren’t just booking a place to stay; they’re looking for a more intentional experience, to slow down, reconnect with nature and explore nearby communities.
Jenna Corcoran, Whispering Springs – Wellness and regenerative travel experiences that nourish both people and the planet. Guests are looking for places where they can unwind, connect with nature and feel good about the impact of their stay.
Joel Greaves, Somewhere Inn – The idea of slow travel and mini getaways. People want to take shorter, more intentional trips, to reconnect with themselves or someone they love.
What’s coming in 2026?
Luke Sedgwick – A massive ice storm affected this region this year, so we rebuilt and repaired. We will continue to upgrade and tweak things to be better; we don’t have plans for new accommodation, as we don’t want to be overcrowded here. We are looking to develop a curated, larger-group/corporate package in a unique setting and continue adding experiential-based offerings.
Laura Mendes – We’ve really enjoyed seeing the growing interest in sustainable and environmentally conscious travel. Guests are seeking accommodations that minimize their impact on the environment, from eco-friendly cabins to local, responsibly sourced experiences. It’s rewarding to see people not only enjoy the outdoors but also care for it.
A challenge is that while many guests want sustainable options, they expect comfort and convenience, so striking the right balance is always key. For 2026, our focus is on strengthening and refining our operations. We’re prioritizing guest feedback, optimizing cleaning and operational processes, and ensuring every cabin experience is seamless.
Jenna Corcoran – We’ll be enhancing amenities, transitioning several glamping units into year-round accommodations, and expanding our thermal wellness area with the addition of a sauna and hot tub. We’ve embraced the shift toward smaller, more intimate weddings and developing add-on experiences such as champagne toasts in the Forest Chapel and late-night silent discos under a canopy of stars. We’re working toward the possibility of brides arriving at the Forest Chapel on one of our beautifully trained horses.
Joel Greaves – Our goal is to keep the momentum going. We’ve invested a lot into our food and wine program at Brooky’s. Open Thursday to Sunday, the space seats about 20 and features awesome shareable dishes. It’s a really good vibe. We want to keep building on our previous successes: more events, more collabs, more reasons for guests to stay a little longer and come back again.
What’s your prediction for Canadian tourism?
Luke Sedgwick – I have travelled all over the world, and Canada is a very special place from coast to coast. I believe that tourism to our country should only increase, especially with people choosing not to visit the states as much with the current economic climate. I know that our offering here stacks up with the best glamping operations and boutique hotels around the world, and I am very excited for more international travellers to discover that.
Laura Mendes – We anticipate a shift toward experiential, nature-focused travel. Guests are increasingly looking for authentic, off-the-beaten-path experiences that combine adventure with comfort: cabins, glamping, and eco-lodges rather than traditional hotels. Many travellers want to share these experiences on social media, making visually compelling and “Instagrammable” stays a priority, while we’ll be focused on fostering our online community.
Jenna Corcoran – We’ll see more Canadians exploring their own backyard. Canada offers such incredible diversity, and there’s a growing pride in discovering those hidden gems close to home. We’re seeing more guests choosing to travel locally, support Canadian-owned businesses, and seek experiences that feel authentic, sustainable, and connected to nature.
Joel Greaves – We think we’ll keep seeing more domestic travel. Canadians are realizing you don’t need to fly across the world to have an incredible boutique hotel experience. Ontario has so much to offer, and we’re proud to be part of this growing scene. A rising tide lifts all ships, and we’re excited to see more unique, design-forward, locally rooted hotels pop up across the province.
Images: Peter Lusztyk, Glen Oro Farm | Mat+Sara, Whispering Springs | Ian Patterson, Somewhere Inn
- https://www.untourism.int/news/international-tourism-up-5-in-first-half-of-2025-despite-global-challenges ↩︎