61% of Canadians crave meaningful travel experiences

May 1, 2024 No Comments
If 2023 was the year for “revenge travel,” then 2024 is shaping up to be the year for intentional exploration.
 
A recent Flight Centre Travel Group (FCTG) survey conducted by YouGov reveals that 61 per cent of Canadians are planning to pack their bags within the next year—but this time with a purpose.
 
Canadians are trading impulsive getaways for mindful travel choices, seeking meaningful experiences that align with their values, aspirations—and tighter budgets. The same study reveals that 82% of respondents are opting to adapt their vacations in response to soaring costs rather than abandoning their travel plans altogether.
 

Survey highlights

Surveyed Canadians are adopting a strategic approach to their travel choices:

  • 86 per cent prioritize cost savings and exclusive deals
  • 74 per cent seek destination variety and uniqueness
  • 57 per cent value personalization and customization
    This mindset has resulted in a 35% uptick in tour bookings for 2023 over previous years, indicating the growing preference for value-centric travel experiences, with tours typically offering savings of up to 20% compared to independently booking the same itinerary.
  For more information, visit flightcentre.ca.

Air Canada just added extra summer flights to Asia and Europe

April 24, 2024 No Comments

Air Canada customers have a wide range of exciting options across Europe and Asia this summer, along with a choice of 120 destinations in North America, to fulfill their summer travel plans.

Alongside new and enhanced international routes to Singapore, Madrid, Stockholm, Osaka and Seoul, the carrier’s Summer 2024 international capacity is growing by 30 per cent into Asia-Pacific and 25 per cent to key leisure destinations in Southern Europe compared to last summer.

Air Canada’s Atlantic schedule will provide the most non-stop service between Canada and Europe of any carrier. From Montreal and Toronto, Air Canada is launching new non-stop routes to Stockholm, and will increase frequencies to Rome and Athens. From Montreal, the carrier will also launch year-round service to Madrid, increase flights to Paris to up to three-times daily during the summer peak, and restore service to Lyon.

From Toronto, service will increase to Copenhagen and will commence Edinburgh and Brussels earlier in the season.

A gateway to the Pacific

Across the Pacific, Air Canada continues to build its Vancouver hub as the gateway to the Pacific.  

The carrier recently started year-round service to Singapore from Vancouver, and will increase capacity to Hong Kong, Osaka and Seoul. On the East Coast, the airline is excited to start seasonal service from Toronto to Osaka and increase capacity to Tokyo, while from Montreal, Air Canada will begin seasonal service to Seoul, complementing enhanced capacity to Tokyo.

In North America, new routes will be offered from Toronto and Montreal to Tulum, from Toronto to Charleston, and from Montreal to St. Louis, Austin and New Orleans. Within Canada, Ottawa–Calgary and Halifax–Vancouver flights will resume, and there will be frequency or capacity increases, including between Toronto and Saskatoon, Regina, Victoria, Sydney and Gander, as well as between Montreal and Regina, Saskatoon, Victoria, Edmonton, Moncton, Fredericton and Deer Lake.  

Air Canada is increasing its international network capacity by 8 per cent for summer 2024 compared to summer 2023. The airline is also boosting service to North America, with an increase of four per cent in available daily seats in 2024, with 518 flights to 120 destinations.

 

Stats say Canadians are ready to spend big on their next vacation

March 15, 2024 No Comments

American Express Travel released its 2024 Global Travel Trends Report, highlighting the inspiration and trends driving global travel bookings this year.

The report reveals that Canadians rank as the second highest global market for anticipated average trip spend and are prioritizing spontaneous, bucket list, and once-in-a-lifetime vacations.

A summary of the Canadian findings from the American Express Travel 2024 Global Travel Trends Report are as follows:

  • Extended, bucket-list trips are on the rise: Canadians are looking to take longer trips compared to the global average, visiting multiple countries in a region or taking expedition/remote trips.
  • Canadians are willing to spend, unless a travel hack can help them save: Travellers are willing to foot the bill to get the most out of their trip but lean on travel hacks for cost savings and upgrades.
  • Spontaneity, solo travel and self-love drive travel desires: Canadians are leaving room for spontaneous exploration, exploring for self-fulfillment, and look to escape the chaos of daily life with solo trips.

What Canadian travellers want

One-in-three (33 per cent) Canadians planning on taking a trip in 2024 plan to travel for a major trip (e.g., bucket list trip, dream vacation) this year.

The most common types of trips Canadians consider to be a ‘dream vacation’ or major trip include multi-country tour within a region (66 per cent), expedition cruises (32 per cent), adventure travel (29 per cent), wellness retreats (23 per cent).

Among Canadians planning to take a trip to visit multiple countries in a region, 70 per cent plan on visiting Europe.

Canadians planning on taking a trip in 2024 are making the most of vacation time, with  one to two-week trips (45 per cent) and week-long trips (44 per cent) being most common, compared to week-long (47 per cent) and weekend trips (41 per cent) being most popular among global responses.

 

Canadians love savings

More than one third (36 per cent) of Canadians plan to spend more on travel compared to last year.

Globally, Canada ranks the second highest market for anticipated highest average spend for leisure trips at an average of $8,824 per trip.

Increased spend is balanced with a range of ‘travel hacks’ to save money on travel:

  • 44 per cent will travel during off-peak seasons.
  • 41 per cent will use credit card points to pay for flights/hotels.
  • 20 per cent will book through companies that offer complimentary hotel benefits (e.g. room upgrades, hotel credits)

Additionally, 85 per cent of Canadian adults agree that they are interested in finding flight deals so they can spend more on accommodations or upgrades.

The full American Express Travel 2024 Global Travel Trends Report can be downloaded here.

30 female-led tours that celebrate International Women’s Day

March 8, 2024 No Comments

According to data from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) data, women in tourism comprise a significant portion of the sector’s workforce, accounting for nearly 40 per cent of the total employment.

This marks a substantial increase from 2010 to 2019, highlighting a 24 per cent surge in direct female employment within the sector, increasing from 38.6 million to 47.8 million.

Key findings reveal that hospitality stands out as the leading employer of women within the travel and tourism sector, with more than half (52 per cent) of all female employment in 2019 attributed to this segment.

“As our sector continues to grow, women have a key role to play; we have the opportunity to make travel and tourism more resilient and inclusive,” said Julia Simpson, president and CEO, WTTC. “Putting women at the heart of travel and tourism will be critical to securing a sustainable future for the sector.”

In celebration of International Women’s Day (Mar. 8), here are 30 not-to-be-missed female-led tours to experience in 2024.

AAT Kings

On the 14-day Southern Spirit guided vacation offered by AAT Kings, clients have the opportunity to visit Real Country farm on a Make Travel Matter Experience near Queenstown, New Zealand.

The Real Countryfarm is founded and owned by Laura Koot, who is passionate about empowering women to join the agricultural industry in New Zealand. She offers the Southern Girl Finishing School workshop which was created to help build confidence in teenage girls.

Koot also partnered with the Fairlight Foundation to develop on-farm training programs that foster and support career advancement for women in the agriculture industry in New Zealand.

Fairlight Foundation aims to remove barriers for rural women and provide free professional farming courses and services to advance women in the farming industry. AAT Kings is committed to supporting and empowering women and donates funds to The Fairlight Foundation for every guest on the Southern Spirit journey.

African Travel Inc.

During African Travel Inc.’s 10-day Southern Explorer journey, clients can witness South Africa’s unique spirit of Ubuntu by visiting Uthando’s eKhaya eKasi Art and Education Centre, a non-profit organization located in Khayelitsha, Cape Town.

Guests will participate in a Make travel Matter experience, where they’ll learn and experience the lives of these remarkable and courageous women by participating in various grassroots development programs. eKhaya eKasi serves as a community resource, providing skill training and entrepreneurship opportunities for women to promote economic development.

The centre also offers a range of community programs, including after-school activities for children, entrepreneurial skill development for women, and the sale of handmade crafts and art pieces available at the Art Boutique, which clients can purchase to support the artistic efforts of these women. African Travel, Inc. also offers private experiences with Uthando for clients interested in learning about Cape Town’s culture, history, and the philanthropic community.

Alpaca Expeditions

Featuring an all-female team of guides, porters and chefs, Alpaca Expeditions will offer a women-only, seven-day Salkantay & Sacred Valley Tour this June.

Participants will find themselves in a range of accommodations, including unique options like glass cabañas and charming hobbit houses, while embarking on an off-the-beaten-path trek along the Salkantay Trail, exploring the Sacred Valley, hiking to Humantay Lake and touring Machu Picchu.

Participants will also enjoy immersive culinary workshops, wine tastings, guided coffee tours and an educational excursion to an alpaca farm to learn about the traditional art of weaving.

G Adventures

G Adventures and its non-profit partner, Planeterra, have introduced five new community tourism projects designed to empower local women in the countries it visits, supporting the 444 women who help operate these five social enterprises.

Travellers can now experience the new women’s empowerment projects on the following G Adventures trips:

Insight Vacations

Insight Vacations invites travellers to join small, all-female groups on 11 expert-curated itineraries that span the world from North Africa to South America.

Created for women by women, each itinerary ranges in length from eight to 16 days. Insight’s first small-group Women Only Tours depart in 2025. For a limited time, Insight is offering an eight per cent discount on their Women-Only Tours, in celebration of International Women’s Day.

Intrepid Travel

Intrepid’s Women’s Expeditions, which first launched in 2018, are a collection of tours led entirely by female leaders that aim to break down barriers for female travellers, debunk misconceptions about gender norms and celebrate the similarities and differences of women around the globe.

They are designed for female travellers and guided by amazing women all over the world. The trips allow travellers to interact and engage with a range of amazing local women while respecting local values.

In 2023, Intrepid added two new trips to its beloved Women’s Expeditions trip category, launching its first ever female-only tours in Pakistan and Nepal.

There are currently six to choose from:

Lion World Travel

On the nine-day Kenya in Absolute Style journey, guests have the opportunity to enjoy a Make Travel Matter Experience with a visit to the Kazuri Bead Factory, which aims to achieve gender equality and empower women and girls in the villages surrounding Nairobi who are single mothers, facing socioeconomic challenges and in need of regular employment.

The founder started by employing two single mothers, and today, Kazuri has remarkably grown to employ over 340 women who are skilled in crafting ceramic beads into beautiful and artistic handmade jewellery.

Planeterra

Planeterra recently partnered with Evaneos, an online marketplace for tailor-made tours. Together, they are launching three community tourism enterprises in South America, Asia, and Africa.

Urpis de Antaquillkais a community association formed by 23 women. They ventured into tourism to gain recognition for their handicrafts and generate direct economic income for their families. Through their experiences, this female-led association aims to share ancestral knowledge with those seeking genuine experiences.

PKP Community Centre is a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering female empowerment and gender equality among vulnerable Balinese women and local girls. Through various initiatives, the centre offers programs focused on teaching essential skills like sewing, cooking, yoga, and community integration.

Razafindrabe is a women-led social enterprise on a mission to create sustainable livelihoods for women by promoting traditional Malagasy Raffia craftsmanship. They aim to empower women economically and socially through craft-making while also preserving Madagascar’s cultural heritage.

Wild Women Expeditions

Wild Women Expeditions recently rebranded, developed a new website, and launched two 2024 treks to Everest Base Camp trips.

In honour of International Women’s Day (March 8), Wild Women Expeditions is donating 100 per cent of profits from both 2024 departures of their Trek to Everest Base Camp expedition directly to the Canadian-based not-for-profit Ally Global Foundation.

The organization assists women and girls who have survived human trafficking with finding safe housing, educational opportunities and job training in Nepal and Cambodia, and provides training and trafficking awareness programs in Canada.

Almost half of young Canadians are taking “bizcations”

February 19, 2024 No Comments

In its Vacation Confidence Study, Allianz Global Assistance reports that Canadian professionals aged 18-34, are leading the rise in the bizcation trend with a growing desire to blend remote work and vacations.

The study revealed that almost half (47 per cent) of young professionals plan to work remotely while travelling in 2024.

Bizcations are an emerging trend in the workplace, where employees can work and travel simultaneously without taking time off. It can also include tacking on a few days before or after a business trip.

The increasing prevalence of remote work options has empowered young professionals to work virtually anywhere. Allianz’s Vacation Confidence Study found that 17 per cent of Canadians aged 18-34 say that the stress and time of planning to take time off work is a considerable barrier to them planning a vacation this year. This demographic’s enthusiasm for bizcations represents a paradigm shift in how work and travel are integrated, opening up new opportunities to enjoy a healthier work-life balance.

Work life balance

The bizcation phenomenon has reshaped the way individuals approach work and travel. Allianz’s Study found that roughly a third of those taking a bizcation this year plan to be away for a considerable amount of time – about three weeks or longer.

Popular takeaways from Allianz’s Vacation Confidence Study include:

  • Many Canadians will tie-in a vacation with work responsibilities either by working remotely from a vacation destination (30%) or by adding vacation time to a business trip (24 per cent)
  • Canadians with children (43 per cent) are also likely to blend work and vacation in the same trip
  • There has been a shift in Canadians’ destination preferences – beyond Canada, Mexico/Caribbean (24 per cent) and the US (21 per cent) are the most popular vacation destinations this year

 

An expedition yacht with 6 suites arrives in the Galapagos

February 14, 2024 No Comments

Conservation-led luxury travel company &Beyond has announced the extension of its South America portfolio with the launch of an expedition yacht in the Galapagos Islands.

Named the &Beyond Galapagos Explorer, the 38 m (124 ft) yacht will operate on two 7-night routes in the east and west of the famed Galapagos Islands.

Boasting just six suites and cabins, the yacht will cater for a maximum of 12 guests, with two expert guides present on each departure.

With only 12 guests on board, the elevated guest-to-staff ratio makes the Galapagos Explorer the most exclusive yacht operating in the islands. In addition to the highest level of guiding, the vessel will also offer beautifully appointed spacious indoor and outdoor guest areas, as well as four exquisite cabins and two luxury suites. Currently undergoing an extensive refurbishment of its interiors, the &Beyond Galapagos Explorer will set sail on its first departure on June 17,  2024.

About the Galapagos voyage

Operating on two different seven-night itineraries, the &Beyond Galapagos Explorer will offer the choice of discovering the east or the west of the main cluster of islands, while including the highlights of the destination in both.

Highlights of the eastern itinerary include the magnificent formation of Kicker Rock, located just off San Cristóbal Island, as well as sightings of the critically endangered waved albatross in Gardner Bay on Española Island. The western Itinerary features highlights that include exploring the geographical centre of the Galapagos Islands, Sombrero Chino Island as well as close encounters with the rare Santa Fe land iguana on Santa Fe Island.

Both itineraries present plenty of opportunities for land and sea adventures such as snorkelling, hiking and birdwatching, as well as a plethora of unique and interesting land, air and marine species. Rates for both itineraries begin from USD $10,950 per person sharing per seven-night cruise.

 

Here’s why getting a Canadian passport might take a little longer

February 5, 2024 No Comments

In the winter months, Service Canada has traditionally experienced spikes in demand for passport services.

As Canadians plan for March break travel or other winter getaways, they may be experiencing longer queues for in-person service at passport offices.

“Passport offices are often busy at this time of the year as people consider warm and sunny getaways, which can sometimes lead to line-ups at passport offices. Service Canada offers several flexible options for people wanting to apply for their passport, including by mail, at a passport office, or a Service Canada Centre,” said minister of citizens’ services, Terry Beech. “We are making government services more convenient and accessible, which is what Canadians expect.”

How to get a Canadian passport

Canadians are reminded of the range of options available for passport service, in addition to passport offices, that can help them avoid lineups:

  • They can apply in-person at one of more than 300 Service Canada centres and scheduled outreach sites located throughout the country. The processing time is within 20 business days.
  • Applicants can also apply by mail, and it will be processed within 20 business days.
  • A select number of Service Canada centres offer service in 10 business days instead of 20 business days.
  • For passports needed in less than 10 business days, Canadians must visit a passport office that offers urgent or express pick-up services.

Canadians can also take advantage of the online Passport Application Status Checker, to find out where their application stands in real time. The status of the application submitted in person will be available after five business days, and 10 business days for those submitted by mail.

Quick facts about Canadian passports

  • The service standard for applications submitted at passport offices and Service Canada Centres offering 10-day passport service is 10 business days.
  • The service standard for applications submitted at regular Service Canada Centres, scheduled outreach sites and by mail is 20 business days.
  • The performance target for application processing is for at least 90% of complete applications to be processed within these service standards.
  • For 2023-2024, the total forecast volume is between 4.5 million and 4.7 million.
  • Passport program statistics are published online, and all data is updated monthly.

For all the details on passport offices, Service Canada centres, and scheduled outreach sites, including the estimated wait times at passport offices, visit the Find a Service Canada Office webpage.

Travel to Europe is almost at pre-pandemic levels

February 2, 2024 No Comments

Towards the end of 2023, European tourism continued its robust recovery, nearing pre-pandemic levels despite inflationary pressures.

Across reporting destinations, foreign tourist arrivals stand at 1.6 per cent below 2019 figures, with nights 0.6 per cent below, showcasing a resilient travel demand across the continent – a trend which is expected to continue into 2024.

This is according to the latest edition of the ‘European Tourism Trends & Prospects’ quarterly report released today by the European Travel Commission (ETC), which looks at the region’s tourism performance and economic indicators over the last months of 2023.

Long-haul arrivals recovering nicely

The recovery is fuelled by strong intra-European travel, primarily from Germany, France, and the Netherlands. Long-haul arrivals are also bouncing back, but at a slower pace and showing significant variations between regions such as the Asia-Pacific and North America.

“The high travel demand seen in 2023 provided a significant boost to European economies and will help improve the balance sheets of tourism companies, which were hard hit by travel restrictions,” said Miguel Sanz, ETC’s president. “However, the return to pre-pandemic levels will also put pressure to accelerate the sustainable transition of the travel industry.”

Value for money in demand

European travel remained resilient in the last months of 2023, with two-thirds of destinations reporting either a full recovery or recording arrivals and/or overnights within 10 per cent of pre-pandemic levels.

Among these, Southern European destinations continue to be the frontrunners, boosted by favourable weather extending into the shoulder season.

Serbia saw the largest surge in arrivals (+15%), alongside Portugal (+11%), Montenegro (+10%), Türkiye (+9%), and Malta (+8%). They are also popular destinations for all-inclusive holidays and more affordable travel costs, which has been key to attracting price-conscious travellers.

Other countries also achieved a significant rebound compared to 2019: Iceland saw a 12 per cent increase in arrivals even amidst volcanic eruptions, while the Netherlands grew tourist nights by 16 per cent despite a smaller two per cent rise in arrivals, indicating longer stays.

In contrast, Eastern European destinations bordering Russia experienced a slower rebound, with countries like Lithuania (-32%), Latvia (-29%), Estonia (-27%), and Finland (-24%) lagging behind.

For the full report, click here.

Seeing the Northern Lights is dream trip for most travellers

January 24, 2024 No Comments

Northern Lights tourism is on the rise, spurred by reports that the astronomical phenomenon will be extraordinarily visible in 2024.

According to a survey commissioned by Expedia, almost three-quarters of Canadians (71 per cent) aspire to see the Northern Lights in their lifetime but haven’t yet crossed the item off their bucket-list. Travelling to see the Aurora Borealis is more in-demand than going on an African Safari (44 per cent), exploring Japan during cherry blossom season (43 per cent), or visiting Machu Picchu in Peru (38 per cent).

Expedia searches are skyrocketing for winter trips to Northern Lights “capitals” like Lapland in Finland, Churchill, Manitoba, and Alta in Norway.

To help travellers plan, Expedia has released a Northern Lights Insider Guide packed with insights on trending destinations, booking hacks, photography tips and ideal itineraries.

Best places to see the Northern Lights

Here are the most popular places to chase the aurora borealis this year, based on Expedia traveller data:

Finland

For Canadian aurora hunters, Finland is an extremely popular destination with hotel searches increasing 197% in 2023 versus 2022. The Finnish Lapland region is most popular (+328%), home to popular Northern Lights locales Rovaniemi (+313%) and Levi (+128%), among others.

Canada

Top Canadian destinations for Northern Lights tourism included Churchill, Manitoba boasting a 173% increase in hotel searches in 2023 compared to 2022. Whitehorse, Yukon (+20%) and Yellowknife, Northwest Territories (+18%) also saw increases.

Norway

Norway’s Northern Lights season stretches from fall to spring, but statistically the best times to see the lights are in March/April and September/October. Top destinations included Kirkenes (+189%), Tromsø (+109%) and Alta,the second northern-most city in the world (+115%).

U.S.

America’s largest state, Alaska, saw an increase of 104% with Fairbanks being the most popular destination (128%). Visit in late August through mid-April for the best chance of spotting the Northern Lights.

When to travel in 2024

Based on average daily hotel rates (ADRs) in 2023, these are the anticipated most cost-effective destinations for Northern Lights trips in the coming year:

  • February: Faroe Island, with ADRs around $162, more than $100 cheaper per night compared to the most expensive month, September.
  • March: Aberdeen, Scotland (ADRs $114), nearly 15% cheaper than ADRs in September.
  • April: Tromsø, Norway, with ADRs around $201, a $107 difference compared to February.
  • September: Finland (ADRs around $181), roughly $121 cheaper than December.
  • October: Lapland, Finland (ADRs around $141), less than half the cost of December, January, and February.
  • November: Yellowknife, Canada (ADRs around $188), around 10% cheaper than January.
  • December: Greenland, ADRs at $148, less than half the cost during March.

More more information and insider tips on how to plan your Northern Lights escape, ncluding the best times to travel in 2024 and how to take epic photography, visit www.expedia.ca.

person holding up a passport against the horizon

A look at the world’s most powerful passports for 2024

January 8, 2024 No Comments

An unprecedented six countries share the top spot with visa-free access to a record-breaking number of destinations on the 2024 Henley Passport Index, which is based on exclusive and official data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Four EU member states — France, Germany, Italy, and Spain — join Japan and Singapore in boasting the most powerful passports in the world, with their citizens able to visit an astonishing 194 destinations out of 227 around the globe visa-free.

The two Asian nations have dominated first place on the index (which ranks all the world’s passports according to the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa) for the past five years.

“The average number of destinations travellers are able to access visa-free has nearly doubled from 58 in 2006 to 111 in 2024. However, as we enter the new year, the top-ranked countries are now able to travel to a staggering 166 more destinations visa-free than Afghanistan, which sits at the bottom of the ranking with access to just 28 countries without a visa,” said Dr. Christian H. Kaelin, chairman of Henley & Partners.

Europe continues to dominate

South Korea joins Finland and Sweden in second place with visa-free travel to 193 destinations, and another four EU nations: Austria, Denmark, Ireland, and Netherlands — share third place with access to 192.

The rest of the Top 10 is largely dominated by European countries, with the UK climbing up two ranks to fourth place with visa-free access to 191 destinations compared to just 188 a year ago. 

Australia and New Zealand passport holders both improve their ranking to sit in sixth place with 189 visa-free destinations,  while the U.S. retains its seventh place with access to 188 destinations without requiring a visa in advance.

It has been a decade since the U.K. and the U.S. jointly held first place on the index in 2014.

Countries climbing the ranks

The UAE remains the biggest climber on the Henley Passport Index over the past decade, adding an impressive 106 destinations to its visa-free score since 2014, resulting in a massive leap of 44 places in the ranking from 55th to 11th position.

Ukraine and China are also among the top five countries with the most improved rankings over the past 10 years (a net total gain of 21 places each), and both have climbed a further two ranks in the past year.

Ukraine is now in 32nd place with 148 visa-free destinations and China is 62nd on the ranking with access to 85 destinations without a prior visa (compared to just 44 in 2014).

While Russia has seen a net gain of 24 destinations over the past decade, its visa-free score and ranking has barely shifted since 2017, and it now sits in 51st place with access to 119 destinations.