Visits to ByWard Market begin to exceed 2019 levels and officials expect trend to continue

July 23, 2025

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Data from the ByWard Market District Authority suggest that visits to the area are close to and in some cases exceeding levels seen in 2019. According to the BMDA, the area saw an estimated 49,358 visitors during the official 12-hour Canada Day programming window, not far off the 58,000 reported at LeBreton Flats, where the official programming took place. Over the full 24-hour period on July 1, the area recorded 116,422 visits and 70,965 unique visitors, the data showed. In the five days leading up to the holiday, June 27 to July 1, there were 495,177 visits, with June 30 alone seeing 152,716 visits, eclipsing Canada Day itself. While July 1, 2019, remains the benchmark at 138,401 visits, the 2025 numbers reflect an area steadily regaining its stride, according to the BMDA. June 2025 visitation surpassed 2019 levels and the second quarter finished nearly one million visits higher than the same quarter in 2019. Collected through Environics, the data differentiates between “visits” and “visitors.” “Visits” refer to the total number of times individuals entered the area, meaning a single person could be counted more than once. “Visitors” are only counted once, showing the number of unique individuals in the area. “During the period of COVID and the disruption related to the (Freedom Convoy) and public servants not coming back (downtown), visitation was down,” Zachary Dayler, executive director of the BMDA, told OBJ. “What we’ve been seeing over the last number of quarters is an increase in visitation. Going forward with this data, we’re seeing that there are months, not quarters, where we are popping above 2019 levels.” Dayler said that with a renewed sense of patriotism brought on by tensions with the United States mixed with the promise of a new Liberal administration, he is hopeful that the area is on track to hit or surpass 2019 visitation numbers in 2025. “We are returning to the realization and idea that supporting local, regional, provincial and national (businesses) is incredibly important, not just for us in Ottawa but throughout the country,” he said. The months of May and June are a busy time for Ottawa, with events and festivals taking place all over the city, Dayler said, which usually means the summer season is “front-loaded” and July sees some event fatigue. However, this year may be different. Ottawa Bluesfest, which ran from July 10-20, saw more than 250,000 people attend, with an estimated $40 million in economic impact for the city, according to data on the festival’s website. Events like Bluesfest drive visitation, Dayler said, helping area businesses turn a profit. “It’s important to push visitation, to get people here. I think those operating in the experiential space – restaurants, food, music – are working well. I think retail is struggling a little bit, not just in ByWard. That’s related to cost-of-living and changes in shopping behaviours. The best we can do now is continue to invest in the conditions that draw people here (so) businesses can exercise that entrepreneurial spirit and connect with customers in a new way,” Dayler said. On York Street, Lowertown Brewery has seen an uptick in customer traffic as a result of the city’s many events and recent investments in the ByWard Market, said Alex Sirois, managing partner at the brewery’s operator, Ottawa Venues. “We’re seeing more police presence. The (BMDA) is doing their night ambassador program, which has been great. It feels a lot safer and a lot busier. For us, it’s all positive and we’re definitely seeing increased foot traffic,” Sirois said. Sirois points to more events in the area, including farmer’s markets, as well as new facilities such as the AC Hotel by Marriott Ottawa Downtown opening its doors on Rideau Street in April. The Moxy Ottawa Downtown in the Market will open early next year. While this July has been only slightly busier than last year, Sirois said he expects foot traffic to continue to grow, with many conferences in town in August. “It’s going to continue to gain steam, for sure. With more people living near the Market, conferences and more hotels getting built, there’s so much more infrastructure,” he said. Dayler said it’s “a strong sign that Ottawa is re-emerging as a place to do business and a place to visit.” While increased domestic travel has helped, Dayler said he also attributes recent increases in foot traffic to a burgeoning want to put the “public” back in “public space.” “During COVID, we were in our homes. I think we’ve come to the end of being interested in that. People are reminding (themselves of) what they love about Ottawa. People are reacquainting themselves with the neighbourhoods, the people, the stories that drove them to come here. Public space is all about just that – the public,” Dayler said. Sirois said the district authority is planning on re-purposing the synthetic ice rink it installed along William Street last winter into a beer keg curling rink in front of the Lowertown Brewery. Looking ahead to the next NHL playoffs, Sirois said he’s already planning to bring back the Sens Lot in his brewery’s parking lot, with the addition of a food truck. Dayler points to new businesses opening in the Market and the addition of Live Nation’s History Ottawa venue next year. “Ottawa is a really unique capital city. I think we have all the elements to cook up something great here. We’re entering a phase where it’s all coming together. The table is set, now we invite all the residents, visitors and business professionals to get out there,” he said.