Toronto staycationers are driving demand for local dining and seamless tech

With more than half of Greater Toronto Area (GTA) residents planning a staycation this summer, local hospitality operators have a clear opportunity to attract and serve guests who are choosing to vacation close to home. According to Silverware’s 2025 Toronto Staycation Report, 56 per cent of GTA respondents said they will stay local this summer—a figure that climbs to 63 per cent among City of Toronto residents.

The survey, conducted in partnership with the Angus Reid Forum, offers a detailed look at where people are going, what drives their decisions and how restaurants, cafés, hotels and hospitality venues can respond.

Younger adults and day-trippers fuelling trend

Staycations are most popular among younger and middle-aged adults, with 64 per cent of both 18–34 and 35–54 year olds planning one. Among respondents aged 55 and older, 48 per cent said they would be staycationing.

Day-trippers from the surrounding regions are also a major part of the market:

• Peel Region: 58 per cent
• York Region: 53 per cent
• Durham Region: 49 per cent
• Halton Region: 47 per cent

Motivations vary, but political uncertainty, cost of living concerns, and local pride are key factors:

• 43 per cent cited concerns about the political climate and international travel
• 35 per cent said they want to support local restaurants and businesses
• 33 per cent said staying local is more affordable
• 27 per cent simply want to explore more of Toronto

Dining is the destination

Among all categories, Toronto’s food scene ranked highest as the top draw for a staycation. Forty-three per cent of GTA respondents cited the city’s diverse restaurant offerings as a reason to stay close to home. That number rose to 54 per cent among Toronto residents.

Neighbourhood-level responses also reinforced the role of food in travel planning:

• York Region residents were the most likely to plan a visit around a specific restaurant (46 per cent)
• In Peel Region, festivals and food trucks ranked higher than parks or museums
• Durham Region respondents placed food second only to accessibility
• Halton Region residents also ranked the food scene as a top motivator

Other commonly cited reasons to staycation in Toronto included arts and museums (42 per cent), waterfront and parks (41 per cent), and festivals or cultural events (40 per cent).

For hotels and hospitality businesses, the data underscores the value of food-first experiences. Restaurants and food and beverage teams that offer curated menus, local ingredients or collaborative tie-ins with cultural events are well-positioned to drive traffic and increase guest engagement.

Tech and social platforms shaping choices

Sixty-five per cent of respondents said they use some form of technology to plan their staycation. Among those who do:

• 19 per cent use social media
• 19 per cent use food and restaurant apps
• 10 per cent use travel or accommodation platforms
• 7 per cent use event discovery tools
• 3 per cent use AI itinerary planners

In Toronto, 26 per cent of residents use Instagram or TikTok specifically to map out summer activities. This number increases significantly among younger age groups:

• 56 per cent of 18–34 year olds use social media for discovery
• 52 per cent use review platforms
• 25 per cent follow local influencers or bloggers

This presents a clear directive for hospitality operators: make sure the venue shows up where guests are searching. That includes a consistent presence across platforms, mobile-friendly updates, and high-quality visuals. Hotels with food and beverage outlets should ensure restaurant listings are integrated with review apps, social media and reservation platforms to improve discoverability.

Neighbourhood appeal drives foot traffic

When asked which Toronto neighbourhoods feel most “vacation-worthy,” respondents showed a preference for accessible, walkable areas with either waterfront access or cultural significance. The top choices were:

• Toronto Islands (51 per cent)
• Distillery District (39 per cent)
• Harbourfront (36 per cent)
• Kensington Market (30 per cent)
• The Beaches (29 per cent)
• Downtown core (27 per cent)

Neighbourhood positioning matters. Properties near popular attractions or dining hubs should consider partnerships with local businesses or event organizers to create bundled offers or promotions. Collaborations with local galleries, performance venues or seasonal festivals can enhance value and visibility.

Convenience a top priority

Restaurants and hotels offering tech-forward conveniences have a competitive edge, the report suggests. When asked which technologies improve the dining experience, respondents highlighted:

• Fast, easy checkout (41 per cent)
• Tap-to-pay or mobile payments (26 per cent)
• Split bills or group payment tools (23 per cent)
• Loyalty or rewards programs (22 per cent)
• Digital tipping (13 per cent)
• QR code menus or ordering (8 per cent)

Only 35 per cent said they didn’t value any of these features — meaning the majority now expect at least one technology-enhanced convenience when dining out.

Hotels with integrated payment systems, mobile booking, digital menus or loyalty platforms may be better positioned to meet these expectations. Tools such as Silverware’s hospitality platform are designed to support this kind of seamless, tech-enabled service delivery.

More time, more meals, more opportunity

Nearly one-third (29 per cent) of GTA residents plan to spend more time at local restaurants this summer. That number increases to 37 per cent in Toronto and 36 per cent among those aged 18–34.

This points to a wider shift in how locals engage with the city — and where they choose to spend their time and money. Whether it’s pre-event dining, post-beach brunch or casual meals after a museum visit, hotel foodservice outlets stand to benefit.

Operators should consider promotions that cater to day-part demand, neighbourhood activity schedules or group dining trends. With more guests looking for memorable, local experiences, convenience and cultural alignment may be as important as price and location.

Methodology

The findings are based on a survey conducted by Silverware in partnership with the Angus Reid Forum from May 9 to 12, 2025. The online survey included a representative sample of 1,005 Canadians across the GTA and was conducted in English and French. A probability sample of this size carries a margin of error of ±2.9 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.