The U.K. is enforcing ETAs for Canadian travellers as of this January

November 22, 2024 No Comments

The U.K. government is introducing a new Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for visitors, including Canadians, who don’t currently need a visa for short stays.

This new system is part of efforts to improve border security and prevent misuse of the U.K. immigration system. Canadians can apply for an ETA starting Nov. 27, 2024 and will need it to travel to the UK from Jan. 8, 2025.

The ETA costs £10 and allows multiple visits to the U.K. for up to six months at a time. It will be valid for two years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first.

Everyone, including babies and children, will need an ETA and you can apply for others as well. The ETA will be required for visits such as tourism, business, visiting family and friends, short-term study or even just transiting through the UK. Other visits include stays of up to three months under the Creative Worker visa concession or for a permitted paid engagement.

How to apply

The easiest way to apply is through the UK ETA app. Most applications will be processed within three working days, but sometimes it may take a little longer. The new system will help make travel easier while ensuring stronger security at the UK border.

To find out more about the ETA and how to apply, visit GOV.UK. The website also has helpful videos to explain the process. GOV.UK is the official site for UK government services and information.

Wilderness Scotland adds new adventure-style trips for next year

November 13, 2024 No Comments

Wilderness Scotland, known for offering exceptional small-group guided hiking and cycling trips, as well as wildlife-focused journeys and wilderness retreats across the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, has unveiled a range of new trips for 2025.

Catering to those who crave outdoor adventure led by exceptional local guides, these brand-new trips offer everything from thrilling gravel rides and luxury trekking adventures to in-depth explorations of Scotland’s serene lochs, ancient forests, and heather-clad mountains.

About the new tours

Luxury Walking – Highlights of the West Highland Way

The magic of walking in Scotland can be distilled into the iconic West Highland Way, a classic long-distance trek covering 96 miles/154 km from Milngavie to Fort William in the Highlands. On this new, 10-day luxury adventure, guests will explore some of this route’s most beautiful sections, along with stunning Glencoe and the wild West Coast, whilst enjoying stays in upscale accommodations (think five-star country houses and baronial mansions) and exclusive experiences along the way.

The tour begins in Glasgow, before heading north to Milngavie, the trailhead for the West Highland Way. Over 10 perfectly paced days, travellers will enjoy a carefully curated itinerary that balances engaging hiking with iconic sites, culturally rich experiences, and upscale dining and lodging.

2025 departures: May 4-13, June 1-10, and Aug. 31-Sept. 9 || Pricing: Starting at US$7,462.00 per person.

Wilderness Walking – Perthshire & Loch Lomond 

This brand-new, seven-day guided journey of Perthshire and the Southern Highlands, including the opportunity to go into the heart of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, leads guests past lochs, deep forests, and soaring heather-cloaked mountains. Accompanied by a knowledgeable Wilderness guide, travelers will learn about both the folklore and the faultlines of the region as they hike a spectacular section of the West Highland Way and up Ben A’an’s pyramidal peak.

2025 departures: May 4-13, June 1-10, and Aug. 31-Sept. 9 || Pricing: Starting at US$7,462.00 per person.

Wilderness Walking – Perthshire & Loch Lomond 

This brand-new, seven-day guided journey of Perthshire and the Southern Highlands, including the opportunity to go into the heart of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, leads guests past lochs, deep forests, and soaring heather-cloaked mountains. Accompanied by a knowledgeable Wilderness guide, travellers will learn about both the folklore and the fault lines of the region as they hike a spectacular section of the West Highland Way and up Ben A’an’s pyramidal peak.

2025 departures: May 10-16, August 9-15, and Sept. 6-12 || Pricing: Starting at US$3,382.00 per person.

Gravel Biking – Highland Gravel Trail 

A new trip and a new trip style for Wilderness Scotland, this seven-day itinerary is one of the two brand-new gravel trips available from the company in 2025, complementing its ever-expanding roster of guided cycling vacations, which also includes various road cycling and E-bike adventures.

On this fully guided adventure through the dramatic Highlands, guests will pedal along gravel highways, forest tracks, and paths that twist and turn all the way from Milngavie to Aviemore in the Cairngorms. A journey that strikes the perfect balance between excellent riding, diverse landscapes, and fascinating historical sites, it was the path taken long ago by highland drovers and their many heads of cattle, connecting the historic towns and villages of Scotland, making them perfect for a point-to-point cross-country trip.

2025 departures: June 2-8 and Aug. 16-22 || Pricing: Starting at US$3,787.00 per person.

For trip options in England and Ireland, including many new additions for 2025, visit WildernessEngland.com and WildernessIreland.com.

 

Backroads adds 40 new walking & hiking trips just for women

October 4, 2024 No Comments

Backroads has expanded its Women’s Adventures with more than 40 walking and hiking trips and 125 departures available in 2025.

Exclusively for women—solo travellers, mothers, daughters, sisters and friends—Women’s Adventures were an instant hit after the announcement last fall, with 2024 trips quickly booking to capacity.

The first trip ran in May, and the offering continues to gain momentum and garner rave reviews as word spreads. The company projects more than a 200 percent increase in Women’s Adventures guests for 2025. The collection features the same expert trip design, flexible itineraries, exceptional Trip Leaders and world-class support that are hallmarks of all Backroads trips.

“Women of all ages have been a significant part of the growth in active adventure travel so we expected our Women’s Adventures would be well received, but we are thrilled with the overwhelmingly enthusiastic response,” said Backroads executive vice-president, Avery Hale Smith. “We’ve heard from many women—solo travellers and those who travel with friends or family—that the trips feel supportive, inspiring and rejuvenating and they love how the camaraderie and bonding is so organic.”

New tours launching in 2025

Backroads Women’s Adventures are available for immediate booking. For the complete collection and for more information, visit Backroads.com.

According to this study, one in four Canadians like to plan their vacations early

September 4, 2024 No Comments

Canadians are redefining what it means to go on vacation, with a new study from Flight Centre revealing that the vacation experience begins long before travellers board the plane.

According to data collected by YouGov, 25 per cent of Canadians feel that their holiday starts during the planning and booking stage, with those who use travel agents being almost twice as likely to experience this early surge of excitement compared to their DIY counterparts.

Key insights

Early Planners: One in four Canadians (25 per cent) believe their vacation begins the moment they start planning their trip. This early onset of vacation vibes is particularly pronounced among Millennials, with 29 per cent of this group reporting that their excitement kicks off during the planning phase, compared to only 19 per cent of Gen Xers.

Airport Enthusiasts: Nearly two in five Canadians (37 per cent) find themselves slipping into vacation mode as soon as they arrive at the airport. This sentiment is especially strong among women, 40 per cent of whom feel that their holiday begins at the airport, compared to 34 per cent of men.

Destination Arrival: For others, the journey truly begins upon arrival at their destination, with around 28 per cent of Canadians saying they only consider themselves on vacation once they’ve reached their travel spot. Gen Xers, in particular, are more destination-focused, with 33 per cent feeling the vacation vibes only upon arrival, compared to 24 per cent of Millennials.

Accommodation Check-in: Just under one in ten (seven per cent) believe their vacation starts when they check into their accommodation.

Where to next?

When it comes to choosing travel destinations, Canadians lean heavily on the opinions of friends and family (65 per cent), available sales and travel deals (52 per cent), and the advice of travel experts (36 per cent).

Plus, the current market dynamics also offer a golden opportunity for budget-savvy travellers. With exclusive deals and cheaper flights available online now, including savings of up to 20 per cent as summer demand wanes, Canadians can enjoy their dream vacation destinations while stretching their dollars.

Flight Centre travel experts offer more than just bookings. With the help of trusted experts, Canadians are extending their vacations into the planning phases, making every step of the journey—from the first connection to the final destination—a memorable part of their holiday.

Virtuoso reveals new luxury trends, from hot destinations to coolcations

August 14, 2024 No Comments

Virtuoso has drawn upon its extensive network of travel advisors, preferred partners and high-net-worth/ultra-high-net-worth clientele to determine what’s new and next in luxury travel, while also revealing the data and insights that prove it.

Respected as the leading “Voice of Luxury” and industry trend forecaster, Virtuoso has based its findings on a data warehouse of (US) $80 billion in transactions and an ongoing series of surveys.

The results of the extensive research were shared at the 366h annual Virtuoso Travel Week, taking place Aug. 10-16, in Las Vegas at Bellagio Resort & Casino, ARIA Resort & Casino, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas and Vdara Hotel & Spa.

The key takeaway is that travel remains robust, even against a backdrop of global challenges. Year-to-date sales have surpassed those of 2023 for the same January-June timeframe by 14 per cent and skyrocketed 211 per cent over 2019, with future 2025-2026 sales already up 38 per cent over last year. The demand for travel advisors remains high, with a 76 percent increase in consumers seeking out travel advisors so far this year via the network’s site, virtuoso.com.

Adventures far and wide

While domestic travel dominates in fall 2024, travellers are venturing afar in record numbers, with Italy, France, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Spain, Saint Barthelemy, Portugal, Canada and Japan topping the list.

The largest growth areas year-over-year are Canada (+168 per cent), Japan (+160 per cent) and Saint Barthelemy (+155 per cent).

Major cities like Paris, London, New York, Rome and Tokyo are showing significant increases compared to 2023, while destinations such as Taormina (Sicily), Napa and Amsterdam are seeing rate declines, making this fall a great time to visit.

For the festive season, Mexico, Hawaii, Anguilla, Costa Rica and Saint Barthelemy are the most sought-after destinations, with Saint Lucia, the Dominican Republic and Grenada coming on strong with double- and triple-digit percentage increases.

Notably, Maui is up 66 percent for the holidays compared to last year. Fall and festive season bookings are expected to be strong, with fall bookings up 23 per cent and festive season bookings up 32 per cent compared to 2023. Additionally, Virtuoso’s preferred hotels are seeing rate increases of 46 per cent in the Caribbean and eight percent in Mexico.

Exclusive experiences remain hot

When it comes to the hottest travel trends, Virtuoso advisors have noted continued demand for exclusive-use experiences such as VIP transportation, luxury yachts and private residences, along with itineraries that incorporate next-level stimulation and engagement.

Requests for these exceptionally high-end experiences have increased for 89 per cent of Virtuoso advisors.

Leading trends in ultraluxe travel include expedition cruises, exotic destinations (such as Fiji, the Maldives and Thailand) and African safaris. Top motivations for ultraluxe travel are celebrations, passion-point experiences (like sports, arts, culture, concerts and festivals) and once-in-a-lifetime trips.

A focus on feelings

Of particular interest is a notable shift from focusing on a trip to-do list to an emphasis on how one feels during travel.

Virtuoso’s research has identified that travellers prioritize curiosity and exploration (77 per cent), joy and happiness (65 per cent) and awe and wonder of nature (57 percent) as the top emotional drivers for luxury travellers. The intangibles of a travel experience are more compelling than checking off bucket list items.

"Coolcations" heat up

Other trends include a rise in travel to cooler climates, or “Coolcations,” to destinations in northern Europe and Canada, which are up 44 percent this summer, while visits to warmer spots, including Italy, Greece and France, have decreased by .5 per cent.

Wellness travel is also expected to be a major trend this year and into the next, with a focus on “Silver Bullet” wellness – a sub-trend coined by Globetrender in a forthcoming co-authored report with Virtuoso – highlighting hyper-specific, targeted “cures” tailored to individual wellness needs.

A survey revealed that 70 per cent of travellers are seeking relaxation and disconnection through wellness travel, while half are interested in hyper-personalized experiences and mental resets.

Other key trends

Solo female travel, dubbed as “Wander Women” by Virtuoso and Globetrender, has also seen significant growth, with women making up 71 percent of solo travellers.

Additionally, as Gen Z begins having children in 2025 (Beta babies), the industry for the first time will see seven generations traveling simultaneously. Legacy travel, or the act of bringing all these generations together to celebrate milestones or to seek nostalgia and reconnection (24 percent according to the 2024 Virtuoso Brand & Travel Tracker study) is becoming increasingly popular. And Virtuoso shared that when surveyed, 32 percent of Gen Zs were planning to travel with children over the next year, with 42 per cent of them planning to do so under the guidance of a travel advisor.

Travel to off-the-beaten-path destinations and at off-peak times is growing in popularity, aligning with the trend toward more responsible and sustainable travel as a response to overtourism.

Please access complete findings here.

Photo: Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff Johannesburg 

New report highlights the changing face of luxury travel in Asia Pacific

July 19, 2024 No Comments

As the Asia Pacific region continues to be the growth engine for luxury travel, a new comprehensive report from the Luxury Group by Marriott International has identified new expectations and travel preferences among high-net-worth (HNW) travellers in Asia Pacific.

Across the region, 68 per cent are planning to spend more on travel over the next 12 months – 89 per cent among Indians – with 74 per cent planning to travel within Asia Pacific and 88 per cent prioritizing gastronomy as the reason to travel. One in four of all holidays planned (25 per cent) are celebrations.

Three distinct new groups of luxury traveler have emerged – the ‘Venture Travelist’ who seeks business opportunities when traveling, ‘Experience Connoisseur’ Millennials who are traveling for enrichment and ‘Timeless Adventurer’, over 65s who are building their own itineraries and exploring places before they become popular.

Longer holidays on the rise

The research among HNW travelers in Australia, Singapore, South Korea, Japan, Indonesia and India reveals they are traveling frequently with longer holidays especially across the Asia Pacific region. An average of six leisure trips is planned within the next 12 months while 33% of respondents are planning at least seven holidays this year. On average, a short stay comprises three nights while a long stay is two-and-a-half weeks. For many, the kinship and connection within a group enhances the richness of the travel experience, with over 70% choosing to travel with family or friends.

Australia is the destination of choice (46 per cent, above Japan (42 per cent) and Hong Kong, China (27 per cent). Sixty-nine per cent of India’s HNW tourists are planning a trip to Australia and it is the top destination of choice for Indonesian, Japanese and Singaporean travellers.

Travel trends revealed

Increasing demand in India

The most active and engaged travel market, 89 per cent of Indian HNW say they are planning to spend more on travel.

Families and friends are touring together to mark key milestones, attend a private function or event, with 38 per cent planning a trip with friends and 33 per cent making theirs a celebratory trip.

A Fascination for Food

A whopping 88 per cent are picking their holiday destination based on discovering a new food or culinary experience. Acutely aware of dining trends, almost half of the respondents (49 per cent) describe a fine dining experience as an ideal night out.

Reinforcing this point, 83 per cent will choose a destination to visit an award-winning restaurant and 35 per cent agreed they would spend more on unique culinary experiences. When choosing a hotel, 81 per cent of HNW travellers make their selection based on fine dining options and 83 per cent choose a destination so they can visit a celebrated restaurant.

 

New traveller personas emerge

With more disposable income for holidays and a growing population of ageing travellers, the research has identified three new categories of affluent travellers. These include:

i) The ‘Venture Travelist’
The next-generation Bleisure tourist, the Venture Travelist prioritizes holiday destinations that will generate business opportunities. While they enjoy their vacation with their family and loved ones, they are always on the lookout to secure a deal. Entrepreneurs at heart, they explore a location, shopping for local products and antiques, and looking to forge business connections with members from the local community.

ii) The ‘Experience Connoisseur’
Predominantly millennials, Experience Connoisseurs plan their leisure travel as an opportunity for personal enrichment. They travel extensively and see the experience as an investment in their mental and physical wellbeing. They want to deeply explore a destination, they value personalization and actively seek exclusive one-of-a-kind experiences.

iii) The ‘Timeless Adventurer’
Debunking every stereotype of the over-65 ‘silver set travelers’, Timeless Adventurers are keen explorers who want to immerse themselves in a destination. They’re less interested in tourist attractions and more drawn to what gives the destination a sense of place, what makes it unique and memorable.

The full report is available to download.

Most Canadian families are spending $2,700 on their summer vacations

June 21, 2024 No Comments

Allianz Global Assistance (Allianz), a leading Canadian travel insurance provider, released the results of its Summer Vacation Confidence Study, which gauges travellers’ sentiments, confidence and intentions regarding their summer vacation plans.

This year’s survey, conducted in partnership with Ipsos, reveals insightful trends and preferences as impacts like inflation and pandemic recovery continue to influence consumer mindsets and travel patterns.

Allianz’s Summer Vacation Confidence Study found that summer vacation confidence is on the rise with 61 per cent of Canadians planning to take a trip this summer. Summer travel intentions are highest among those aged 18-34 (72 per cent confident) and families with kids (73 per cent confident).

The study also revealed that the average vacationing family intends to spend $2,728 on a summer vacation this year – which equates to roughly $24.9 billion collectively.

Key study highlights

More of Allianz’s Summer Vacation Confidence Study results:

  • Almost all Canadians who intend to travel (89 per cent) plan to obtain travel insurance (Allianz Vacation Confidence Study, November 2023)
  • Families with kids plan on spending an average of $3,519 on summer vacations this year
  • Most Canadians are travelling this summer for a leisure vacation to rest and relax (65 per cent) or to visit family and friends (46 per cent)
  • One quarter of those who say summer vacations are important are not confident they will be taking a summer vacation
  • 47 per cent of Canadians planned to travel this past winter (Allianz Vacation Confidence Study, November 2023)

For more information, visit allianz-assistance.ca.

According to this survey, Canadians are spending large this summer

May 22, 2024 No Comments

Sky-high costs and ongoing economic pressures aren’t dampening the mood this summer season.

According to the 2024 summer travel outlook: Canadian destinations in the spotlight, Canadians are eagerly making travel plans and are ready to get away and make up for missed travel time.

Overall, consumers plan to spend an average of $2,405 on transportation and lodging costs for their major summer trip, with three in four (74 per cent) planning to stay in the country and experience the very best it has to offer.

Canadian travel trends revealed

The report explores the travel trends of Canadians as they prepare for the summer travel season, and their impact on the tourism sector in Canada. Some of the key findings include:

  • Travellers from Central Canada (Ontario and Quebec) will spend more than those from the rest of the country ($2,459 on average).
  • Around three in four Canadians (74%) plan to stay in the country for their big summer vacation—and most plan to stay within their home region rather than make long treks.
  • The ‘shop small and local’ trend continues to shape tourism across Canada: Canadians want to support local, independent, and family-owned businesses (79%) rather than chains, multinationals, big box retailers, and large corporations (21%).
  • Prince Edward Island is expected to see the largest share of visitors from outside its region, with 78 per cent of its visitors coming from Central or Western/Northern Canada.

Canadians crave Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, and Inuit) travel experiences, such as cultural workshops and traditional lodgings. The report shows Indigenous-owned and -operated tourism is gaining traction, driving opportunities for Indigenous tourism businesses and communities.

Fifty-seven per cent of Canadians are likely to take part in those experiences in the future, Gen Zs (75%) and Millennials (68%) being the most eager to participate. Indigenous tourism organizations would benefit from partnering with national and provincial governments to raise further awareness and offer new experiences to travellers.

Gen Z spending the least on trips

While Gen Xs plan to spend the most on travel this year ($2,671), Gen Zs intend to spend the least ($2,100). The report also shows Gen Zs and Millennials are the biggest fans of sustainable and regenerative tourism, saying it’s important that their travel destinations and experiences demonstrate environmental sustainability in some form, such as low carbon footprints, renewable energy sources, and EV charging stations.

They are the most willing to participate in such travel experiences, and the most willing to pay for them.

“The demand for sustainable and regenerative travel is gaining momentum, but not all Canadians are willing to pay the price to help leave a place better than they found it,” adds Leslie Peterson. “Tourism businesses that can overcome greenwashing-related skepticism and explain the lasting value of sustainable travel by backing up claims with facts will foster trust in eco-friendly tourism offerings and position themselves at the leading edge of this burgeoning trend.”

Learn more about the 2024 Canadian Summer Travel Outlook here.

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.

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.