Alto to drive major tourism growth and economic benefits across the corridor

Montréal, June 11, 2026 – A new study prepared by CPCS on behalf of Alto confirms that Canada’s proposed high-speed rail service is set to significantly increase tourism across the corridor – driving significant economic activity and supporting thousands of jobs.

The study shows that the Toronto-Québec City corridor is already a major driver of tourism in Canada, attracting more than 20% of domestic visitors and over 40% of international tourists, and generating more than $31 billion in annual visitor spending.

By strengthening connections between Toronto, Ottawa-Gatineau, Montréal and Québec City, Alto will create new tourism opportunities and increase visitor activity across the corridor. 

A significant opportunity for the tourism sector

The study assessed different scenarios based on the level of coordination between the tourism sector and high-speed rail. Under the medium coordination scenario, increased tourism spending along the Alto corridor could:

• Boost Canada’s annual GDP by approximately $1 billion
• Support over 11,500 jobs across the corridor

A structural shift in how people travel

Today, tourism in the corridor is overwhelmingly dependent on personal vehicles, which account for up to 85–98% of domestic travel. Alto will reshape travel by offering a fast, efficient alternative – making it easier for Canadians to travel more often and experience multiple destinations in a single trip.

International evidence shows that high-speed rail can increase tourism activity, particularly where it improves accessibility and is supported by strong destination coordination. For example, in France, HSR supported the growth of Lyon as a tourism destination alongside active promotion, highlighting that the strongest effects occur when improved access is paired with aligned tourism attraction strategies.

Unlocking growth across the corridor

With coordinated action across destinations, Alto can expand tourism beyond major urban centers and help more communities benefit from increased visitor activity. By connecting diverse destinations and enabling seamless travel, Alto will strengthen Canada’s tourism offer and support long-term economic growth.