A new study from Flight Centre finds the vacation experience begins long before travellers board the plane.
According to data collected by YouGov, 25% of Canadians feel their holiday starts during the planning and booking stage, with those who use travel advisors being almost twice as likely to experience this early surge of excitement compared to their DIY counterparts.
"Our study highlights that 78% of respondents crave human connection, while 87% rely on agents' industry know-how,” said Chadd Andre, Executive Vice President of Flight Centre Canada. “With nearly three-quarters raving about an agents’ ability to provide the best experiences and access to hidden gems, it's clear: travel experts turn complex bookings into seamless journeys."
Key Study Insights
- Early Planners: One in four Canadians (25%) believe their vacation begins the moment they start planning their trip. This early onset of vacation vibes is particularly pronounced among Millennials, with 29% of this group reporting that their excitement kicks off during the planning phase.
- Airport Enthusiasts: Nearly two in five Canadians (37%) find themselves slipping into vacation mode as soon as they arrive at the airport. This sentiment is especially strong among women, 40% of whom feel their holiday begins at the airport, compared to 34% of men.
- Destination Arrival: Roughly three in ten Canadians (28%) say they only consider themselves on vacation once they've reached their travel spot.
- Intriguingly, users of travel advisors are almost twice as likely (27% compared to 14%) to feel early vacation excitement compared to non-users. The personalized service and expert guidance provided by travel agents appear to play a pivotal role in transforming the often stressful planning process into a seamless and enjoyable part of the vacation experience.
Where to Next? The Influencers of Choice
When it comes to choosing travel destinations, Canadians lean heavily on the opinions of friends and family (65%), available sales and travel deals (52%), and the advice of travel experts (36%).
