February 2026 was unlike any February we have seen at Premier Stays. Bookings were down, inquiries slowed to a trickle, and properties that are usually busy sat quiet. We want to be transparent about why it happened, what was going on in the wider market, and what we are doing about it.
First, let us be honest about the numbers
February is historically a shoulder month in the vacation rental industry. Valentine’s getaways and the Family Day long weekend generate some demand, but it is rarely the strongest season. February 2026 hit differently.
Across our Calgary, Edmonton and Surrey properties, occupancy fell to levels we had not seen before. This was not a Premier Stays story. It was industry-wide and national.
Statistics Canada reported that Canadian-resident return trips from the United States dropped 26.8% year over year in January 2026 alone, with air travel down nearly 17.8%. February extended and deepened that trend across the entire tourism ecosystem.
What was actually happening
Several overlapping forces collided in early 2026. It was not one thing. It was a combination of political tension, economic anxiety and shifting traveller confidence.
1. Canada–US trade tension and the travel boycott
Tariff disputes and political friction dampened travel sentiment on both sides of the border. Many Canadians chose to travel domestically or to alternative international destinations rather than the United States, and international visitors who normally route through US hubs into Canada were affected too. The “buy Canadian, stay Canadian” sentiment became real very quickly.
2. Economic uncertainty and cost of living
Inflation and the rising cost of essentials made discretionary travel feel like a luxury many families could not justify. When grocery bills rise, a weekend away is one of the first things cut. That reduced demand across every price point, budget and premium alike.
3. Severe winter weather
January and February brought some of the harshest cold snaps, snowstorms and icy road conditions Western Canada has seen in years. Flight cancellations, road closures and the sheer discomfort of travelling in extreme cold made even eager travellers reconsider. Statistics Canada attributed a meaningful share of the decline directly to weather.
4. Global uncertainty and news fatigue
Early 2026 was a heavy news cycle. When people feel unsettled about the world, non-essential travel is the first thing they pause and the last thing they plan. The mood in February was caution rather than adventure.
5. Later booking behaviour
Travellers are booking later than ever. Guests who would traditionally have locked in a February stay back in November were waiting, watching the news and their bank balances before committing. That compressed booking window made February look emptier than it needed to be.
6. Fewer inbound international visitors
With Canada recording an 8.4% drop in total international arrivals, fewer overseas visitors meant less demand in gateway cities like Calgary, Edmonton and Surrey. International guests tend to book longer stays and spend more, and they were simply not arriving in the usual numbers.
Not at all, and that context matters. Major airlines cut hundreds of thousands of seats on Canada–US routes. Duty-free shops along the border reported sales declines of 40% to 50%. Hotels, tour operators, ski resorts and rental managers across Alberta and British Columbia all reported one of their most difficult winters on record.
Slow months do not define us. How we respond to them does. A quiet February is a call to listen more carefully to what travellers actually need.Premier Stays Rental Management
The silver lining: where demand is growing
Here is the encouraging reality. Canadians are not travelling less. They are travelling differently.
Domestic tourism is going through a meaningful revival. Travellers who might have crossed into the United States or flown south are exploring Canadian cities, national parks and mountain escapes closer to home. Calgary and Edmonton are genuinely strong destinations for domestic visitors, with serious food scenes, proximity to the Rockies, and a character that surprises first-time visitors. Surrey and the Lower Mainland remain among the most visited regions in the country.
The travellers booking right now want comfort, reliability and a real home away from home. That is exactly what we are built to deliver.
How we are adapting
A slow month is not a reason to panic. It is a reason to plan. Here is what we are actively doing to protect property performance through 2026.
Dynamic, data-driven pricing
We adjust nightly rates in real time against local demand signals, upcoming events, competitor pricing and seasonal patterns, so a property is competitively positioned without underselling itself.
Targeting domestic and corporate travellers
With international travel down, we are amplifying outreach to domestic weekend travellers, corporate relocation clients and project workers who need quality furnished stays in Calgary, Edmonton and Surrey.
Multi-platform listing optimisation
Every property is presented properly on Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com and our own direct booking channel, with professional photography, strong descriptions and copy written for how guests actually search.
Event-driven booking strategy
Major events bring surges of sports and event travellers. We position properties ahead of them rather than reacting once the dates are already sold out.
Guest experience that earns loyalty
We invest in every stay, from arrival to in-suite amenities, so guests return and reviews stay high. In uncertain times, reputation is the most durable asset a property has.
Looking ahead
March through summer is already looking different. Domestic travel appetite is rebounding, event-driven demand is building, and travellers who postponed winter trips are actively searching for spring and summer escapes.
February was hard, and it was hard for the entire industry. We used the quiet to sharpen the strategy, deepen guest relationships and position every property we manage for a stronger spring and summer.
Whether you own a property and want to improve its returns, or you are looking for a well-managed home away from home, we are here. See how our management works or get in touch.
