The 2026 Blue Cross® Travel Study shows a clear shift in how younger Canadians approach travel. With rising costs, global uncertainty and the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools, travel planning is becoming more intentional.
That shift is reflected in Alberta as well. Travellers are embracing new tools and sticking with tried-and-tested planning methods.
At the same time, travel insurance adoption is rising among younger travellers as a way to manage risk and protect their budgets.
In short, travel is still flexible and still fun, but people are being more careful about their travel decisions.
AI is becoming part of travel planning
For many young adults, AI is now part of the planning process.
Almost half (49%) of Canadian travellers use AI when planning trips. Usage is highest among younger generations with 70% of Gen Z travellers relying on it in some way, with millennials (63%) close behind.
For many, this likely speeds up the boring but important parts like price checks or route comparisons.
Alberta mirrors the national pattern, suggesting that younger Albertans are embracing AI in a practical way rather than as a novelty.
What are they using it for?
- Comparing prices across destinations or dates
- Planning itineraries
- Finding destination ideas and inspiration
The majority (87%) of Canadians are making trade-offs on things like shopping, length of stay and premium upgrades, with AI playing a pivotal role in identifying cost-effective alternatives.
In other words, AI is acting as a planning assistant. It helps travellers sort through options more quickly, especially when costs are high and decisions feel heavier.
Importantly, this doesn’t mean Canadians are handing decision-making over to algorithms. Instead, AI is one more input, used alongside personal judgment, recommendations and experience.
Uncertainty is influencing destination and planning decisions
Travel planning today comes with more variables than it used to—from rising and fluctuating prices to global events.
As many as 50% of Albertans say they are reconsidering destinations because of world events, while 73% plan to travel within Canada this year.
That tension says a lot. Younger Albertans aren’t cancelling travel plans. They’re reassessing the, comparing options, thinking more about timing, flexibility and backup plans.
AI tools help by offering quick comparisons and alternative ideas. But they can’t remove uncertainty entirely.
That’s where travel protection comes in.
Travel insurance is being seen differently
Travel insurance used to be something one bought only if they were worried something might go wrong. That mindset is shifting.
With airfare, hotels and food all getting more expensive, many Canadians now see travel insurance as part of managing costs and stress, whether they are travelling within Canada to other provinces or to other countries. In fact, compared to other travel expenses, insurance is seen as having gone up the least.
And for younger travellers watching their budgets, that matters.
While Gen X and boomers have long relied on travel insurance, adoption among Gen Z and millennials continues to rise. More younger travellers are choosing to travel insured because it helps keep a trip on track financially, even if plans change.
In fact, travel insurance adoption among younger Canadians is rising year over year. Among Gen Z travellers, it’s up from 39% in the last study to 42%. Millennials are closing the gap too, with adoption up from 43% to 47%.
Overall, more than 86% of travellers report having some form of coverage already. More than half (56%) buy it specifically for a trip, while others have travel coverage through workplace benefits (18%) or even a credit card (12%).
It’s less about fear and more about control.
Planning tools and protection now go hand in hand
What’s interesting is how these trends work together.
Younger Albertans aren’t choosing between smart planning tools and traditional coverage. They’re using both.
AI helps at the front end, comparing options and shaping decisions. Travel insurance helps with common disruptions that no tool can anticipate, like medical emergencies or lost baggage.
This is where coverage choices start to matter. For travellers 54 and under heading outside Canada, our online-exclusive 3-in-1 Package brings essential coverages together in one savings bundle, with the flexibility to add more if needed.
Together, AI planning tools and travel insurance reflect a more practical and balanced approach to travelling. One that keeps room for spontaneity while acknowledging that things don’t always go according to plan.
Travel hasn’t become cautious or joyless. It’s more real-world.
What this tells about younger Albertans
Zoom out and a few things become clearer.
Younger Albertans are adaptable. They adopt new tools when they make life easier, but they trust their own judgment. They’re cost-aware without being risk-averse. Curious without being careless.
Travel still matters. It just looks a little different now.
AI has found a place as a planning helper. Travel insurance is increasingly seen as a practical safeguard, not an expense. Both help travellers feel more confident navigating uncertainty.
In a world where travel comes with more variables than ever, younger Albertans are responding by planning smarter, not travelling less.
The destination still matters. So does the experience. But so does knowing that when real life gets involved, their plans have room to flex.
Want the full picture?
Explore the 2026 Blue Cross® Travel Study to see how Canadians, including Albertans, are planning travel in a changing world.
