Some Edmonton neighbourhoods are seeing a boom in bookings on Airbnb, with one making the site’s list of 10 of Canada’s trendiest neighbourhoods. The city has plenty for locals and visitors alike to see in all seasons, summer and winter festivals, nature, and more sports than you can shoot a puck at. Tourism is an important industry in Edmonton, with visitors spending $2.6 billion in the capital region in 2025 and supporting more than 125,000 jobs, according to Explore Edmonton. The Edmonton International Airport also saw 8.14 million passengers that year, an increase of 2.8 per cent from 2024. While people spend time in the city, they need somewhere to stay. “Travellers aren’t just booking a place to stay anymore, they’re booking to experience different neighbourhoods,” Airbnb wrote in a news release. Data from the company shows bookings in 10 of Canada’s trendiest neighbourhoods are up 180 per cent year-over-year for summer bookings. That includes the southwest neighbourhood of McKernan, which is just minutes from Whyte Avenue and the river valley. Highlands and Wîhkwêntôwin are also listed as trending areas by Airbnb, with the average daily rate for a place to stay across all three sitting at $197. Aside from the cost of accommodations, the typical Alberta Airbnb guest spends around $330 a day while on a trip. “Whether a listing sits in a residential pocket, a rural community, or a downtown core, staying there means tourism dollars flow directly into that specific corner of the city,” according to Airbnb. “Sixty-two per cent of guests said staying in their listing made them feel more connected to local culture than if they’d stayed at a hotel or resort.” Across Canada, the company says Airbnb travel generated nearly $10.9 billion in economic activity in 2025.
