Ottawa Tourism is booming, like many destinations in Canada, due to international travelers preferring Canada over the United States of America.
With significant new investments in Ottawa venues, hotels, and public infrastructure, as well as recently enhanced air connectivity from Europe, Ottawa is offering even more reasons for organisers to choose Canada’s capital for their conferences, meetings, and significant events.
This may be related to the lower arrivals into the United States due to activities by the Trump administration.
Trump Tourism : Join the Fight | Trump Tourism
Travel from and to the United States and the industry behind has changed under US President Donald Trump. There are new challenges, expectations, and regulations.
Developed in collaboration with Ottawa Unlimited, a partnership among Ottawa Tourism, Invest Ottawa, and the Ottawa Board of Trade, these enhancements are part of a broader vision to maintain and improve Ottawa’s position as a thriving, people-first city that is both inspiring and accessible.
More than $1.5 billion in public and private investment is now flowing into the city’s downtown core, supporting a wide range of new projects, from cultural landmarks and active streetscapes to mixed-use developments and initiatives that enhance the delegate experience.
- Among the standout projects is History Ottawa, a 2,000-capacity venue by Live Nation Canada opening on Rideau Street in early 2026. With its central location, flexible layout, and cutting-edge AV, the venue will host a wide range of business and entertainment events, helping to meet the growing demand for modern, mid-sized gathering spaces.
- Opened this summer, the Hard Rock Hotel Ottawa features 150 guestrooms, 22 suites, a 1,800-seat theatre (accommodating 2,200 guests with standing room), as well as a casino, restaurants, and lounges, making it an ideal venue for planners seeking a high-impact, all-in-one event space.
- In the ByWard Market, the newly opened AC Marriott Ottawa brings 159 stylish guestrooms and 3,648 square feet of bright, functional meeting space across five rooms. Its neighbour, the Moxy Ottawa, is another new addition, with 224 rooms and a bold, design-forward atmosphere ideal for creative gatherings.
- Scheduled to open in 2026, Ādisōke – Ottawa’s new central library and archive – will offer an accessible gathering space for receptions, workshops, and cultural programming. As a partnership between the City of Ottawa and Library and Archives Canada, it reflects a wider investment in culture, community, and Indigenous reconciliation.
Ottawa’s international connectivity is also giving business events a significant lift.
The return of direct Air Canada flights from London Heathrow (March 2025) and a new Air France service from Paris-Charles de Gaulle (April 2024) are making the city more accessible than ever for European attendees. Both routes offer multiple weekly flights and seamless onward connections from across the UK, France and continental Europe. For associations, corporates and international delegations, this improved access removes logistical barriers and increases confidence when planning global events in Ottawa.
“Ottawa is seeing smart, sustained investment in the things that matter to event organisers – venues, hotels, walkability, and connectivity,” said Stephanie Seguin, Ottawa Tourism’s Vice President, Business and Major Events. “And through partnerships like Ottawa Unlimited, we’re creating a city that is engaging, vibrant, and welcoming – an ideal setting for memorable business events.”
As part of this transformation, Ottawa is embracing creativity with new public art installations, murals, and the transformation of streetscapes into spaces for connection and inspiration. These efforts contribute to an urban experience that blends function with culture – where delegates can explore, unwind, and connect in meaningful ways beyond the meeting room.
