Canadians’ wander’lust’ is more robust than ever. That is just one of the findings of a Booking.com survey that revealed after months of restrictions, thanks to the roll-out of vaccines, Canadians are cozying up to the idea of travel again.
- Travel Tops List of Post Pandemic Priorities
As many as 70% of the 1,001 Canadians polled in JAN state that not being able to travel extensively in 2020 has made them long for it even more in 2021. Most respondents acknowledge that not being able to travel in 2020 has a significant effect on their well-being, with 49% reporting a negative impact on their mental health.
61% say travel is more important to them now than it was before the pandemic. Almost three quarters (72%) would go so far as stating they would rather go on a vacation in 2021 than find true love. At 72%, the same amount would prioritize going on vacation than getting promoted.
Nearly half (48%) of Canadian travellers have used the increased time at home to plan future travel while 33% have banked their vacation days and plan to take longer vacations in 2021.
About a quarter (22%) plan to choose less frequented destinations and 21% want to book accommodations near their hometown to support local businesses.
As for types of getaways, 50% hope to hit the beach. Only 5% will book an active trip and just 4% opted for a city break.
- Vaccines Key to the Return to Travel
Canadians’ support of vaccines runs deep, with 69% of respondents stating they won’t travel internationally until they have been vaccinated. This rises to 77% among those 55+ years old.
A further 64% said they will only travel to countries which have implemented vaccination programs themselves.
67% said they were willing to accept only being able to travel if they could prove they have been vaccinated.
Meanwhile, 76% would accept having to wear a face mask when travelling, with 62% going as far as supporting a ‘no mask no travel’ ban (unless exempt).
- Overwhelming Support for Gov’t Intervention to Help Travel Survive
Almost all (93%) of Canadian travellers surveyed believe the industry needs to be supported in order to recover. Over half (57%) say government financial stimuli are needed to help travel’s recovery and 43% worry that the industry won’t survive unless it is supported with federal grants.
