Virtuoso lists 2023 travel predictions for Canadians

Virtuoso has identified when, where and why upscale Canadians will be venturing in 2023.

In Virtuoso’s 2022 Brand and Travel Trends Research, conducted in collaboration with YouGov, more than 500 Canadian travellers were surveyed. The majority – 75 percent – listed relaxation and disconnecting as the primary incentive for taking a leisure trip, followed by adventure, which is almost twice as important for Canadians than for global travellers (41 percent versus 25 percent).

Additional revelations include an affinity for sunny destinations, expedition cruises and a willingness to spend big and stay longer.

Warm weather getaways

Virtuoso’s study showed 61 percent of travellers preferred beach vacations, followed by city exploration (47 percent). Canadians are equally as likely to travel to Europe as they are to travel within their own country, and they showed a preference for the Caribbean or West Indies (36 percent versus 20 percent globally) and Mexico (30 percent versus 16 percent globally), which is likely due to a desire to escape to warmer climates during the winter months.

Reasons for family travel 

Canadians indicated the most popular ways to travel are with a spouse or significant other and multi-generational family travel.

Travelling with school-age children is consistently popular. Interestingly to note while heading into March Break, over half of those surveyed believe travel is important to the development of children under 18.

Spending big and staying longer

Relative to 2019, travellers plan to spend 12 percent more in 2023 and the anticipated annual spend for Virtuoso-advised travellers in 2023 is even higher at $20,000 CAD per person.

While Virtuoso clients took about the same number of trips in the past year as other travellers, Virtuoso-advised travellers took longer trips, spent more nights in hotels, rentals and cruises, and skewed more towards international trips.

Top travel destinations for 2023

Virtuoso tapped into its data warehouse of more than $63.6 billion (USD) in transactions to determine the top destinations of 2023, as determined by Canada-based travellers: 

  1. MexicoCancun, Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos
  2. Canada Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary
  3. United StatesOrlando, Fort Lauderdale, Las Vegas
  4. Dominican RepublicPunta Cana, Puerto Plata       
  5. United Kingdom London
  6. JamaicaMontego Bay
  7. Italy Rome, Venice
  8. France Paris, Nice
  9. Australia Sydney
  10. Portugal Lisbon, Faro

For more information on how to connect with a Virtuoso travel advisor who can turn travel dreams into reality,  visit www.virtuoso.com.

 

Share:

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn

Latest

A look at the trends shaping solo female travel in 2025

More women are travelling solo than ever before, and mundane things like work, family life and routine aren’t holding them back. The rise of solo female travel in recent years has sparked a powerful shift in how women explore the world, embracing both the freedom of independence and the empowerment that comes with navigating new destinations on their own terms.

Inside Chile’s The Cormorant at 55 South, the southernmost hotel on Earth

Silversea has unveiled the first spaces and name of The Cormorant at 55 South, its new 150-room hotel in Puerto Williams, Chile, scheduled to open during the 2025/2026 Antarctica season. Upon completion, Silversea’s new hotel will create the most convenient, comfortable and seamless way to visit Antarctica. The Cormorant is a nod to the unique location of the property at 55° S – making

JW Marriott brand comes to Portugal with opening at Palmares Resort

JW Marriott’s first Portuguese property has opened at Palmares Ocean Living & Golf, a transformative addition to the celebrated Palmares Ocean Living & Golf resort will feature 172 elegantly appointed rooms and suites with sea views. The hotel’s interior design, crafted by the renowned Goddard Littlefair, complements this architectural vision by ensuring a seamless connection between the indoor and outdoor

AmaWaterways launches first-ever luxury cruise ship on Colombia’s Magdalena River

AmaWaterways has officially welcomed AmaMagdalena, the first-ever luxury river cruise ship to navigate Colombia’s Magdalena River. The historic launch, which took place on April 12, 2025, marks a significant milestone for the company and a transformative breakthrough for tourism in the country. This addition expands AmaWaterways’ portfolio, introducing a new region to its offerings beyond Europe, Asia and Africa. Carrying