Canadian travel trends are changing as Canadians adapt to new world realities. It’s not that Canadians are giving up on travel altogether, but they are changing their plans based on a number of factors. Financial pressures, world events, over-tourism and worries about climate change are all making people rethink how they explore the world.
The 2025 Blue Cross travel study
Blue Cross recently asked over 2,000 adult Canadians about their travel plans. These people had either travelled in the past year or were planning to travel in the coming year. Here are a few of the highlights:
- Cost pressures. A weaker Canadian dollar and rising travel costs are impacting travel plans, especially for younger Canadians.
- Travel habits are changing. Related to the previous point, Canadians are looking for new travel options that are more budget friendly. They might take fewer trips, stay in cheaper accommodations or visit places that are closer to home.
- Fewer trips to the U.S. After the recent election in the United States, many Canadians are thinking twice about crossing the border.
- Anti-tourist sentiment. Not all destinations welcome tourism. Almost half of Canadian travellers have experienced anti-tourist sentiment, making people think differently about their travel decisions.
- Travel builds connections. Most Canadian travelers think travel is a good way to build positive connections with locals.
- Climate change matters. Many Canadians are changing their travel plans because they’re concerned about climate change.
- Travel insurance is becoming more important. More Canadians are buying travel insurance to help manage risk and be prepared in case something goes wrong.
Making financial adjustments
Many Canadians are feeling the strain of rising travel costs and the weak Canadian dollar. To still be able to travel, they’re making some smart changes:
- Taking fewer trips each year
- Opting for shorter vacations.
- Choosing less expensive hotels or other types of lodging
- Staying closer to home and exploring local gems
The U.S. factor
World events are also affecting Canadian travel decisions. The Blue Cross study shows that the recent election in the United States has been a major factor in changing some Canadians’ travel plans. Some are canceling trips, while others are looking for other places to go instead of the U.S.
The study also reports that 13% of Canadians are not travelling to the U.S at all. What’s more, 15% are looking at different options to avoid the U.S.
The impact of over-tourism
Another Canadian travel trend is that we’re becoming more aware of how tourism affects local communities. The study says that nearly half of Canadian travellers have experienced anti-tourist reactions from locals. This may include things like higher prices being charged for tourists, poor service from local businesses and even outright unfriendly behaviour.
As a result, Canadian travellers are making more mindful travel decisions like:
- Travelling when it’s not as busy. The study say that 25% of travellers have changed their travel plans as a result of push-back against tourism.
- Staying away from over-touristed destinations. Seeking out less crowded destinations and looking for those hidden gems.
- Supporting local businesses. Making more of an effort to spend money at local stores, restaurants and attractions.
The good news is that 83% Canadians think travel believe travel is an opportunity to build positive connections with locals. By respecting local customs and culture, and supporting local communities, Canadian travellers can create more meaningful travel experiences.
Climate change and travel
Climate change is happening now, and it’s changing how people travel―though, it’s less of a consideration for Albertans. The study says that most Canadian travellers have changed their plans because of climate change. This means choosing locations with a more stable climate and planning trips when when there’s less risk of extreme weather events.
The rising importance of travel insurance
In a world environment that continues to be uncertain, travel insurance is becoming a very important part of travel planning. The study shows that 63% of travellers buy travel insurance at least occasionally for trips out of their province, territory or country. Also, 51% are more likely to purchase travel insurance now than they were in the past.
Travel insurance provides a safety net should something unexpected happen. Here are some situations that travel insurance can help with:
- Flights being cancelled or changed
- Baggage being lost or damaged
- Medical emergencies
Travel trends unique to Albertans
While the national trends give us an overview Canadian travel, Alberta has its own travel story.
The Blue Cross study reveals that Albertans are:
- Seeking out life-changing travel experiences. More than other Canadians, Albertans want new experiences and are looking for personal growth when they travel. They want trips that teach new things and provide memories that last. In fact, 61% of Albertans said they make new experiences a priority, compared to 53% of other Canadians.
- Budget-conscious and strategic about spending. Albertans aim to stay within budget by choosing more affordable places to stay (39%), taking fewer trips (38%), and travelling during off-peak seasons (35%).
- Divided on the U.S. but united on accessibility: While some Albertans are thinking twice about travelling to the U.S., others aren’t changing their plans. Albertans really care about being able to get around easily. When planning a trip, they call ahead to ask for help (49%), pack extra supplies (38%), and plan for time to rest (38%). They also like places that are easier for people with disabilities to get around in, like Canada (73%) and the U.S. (30%).
- Looking for unique, crowd-free experiences. Albertans are avoiding tourist traps (22%) while searching for off-the-beaten-path locations (25%).
Download the full study
Whether it’s saving money, having real experiences or getting travel insurance, Canadians still want to see the world, even when times are challenging. You can learn more about what’s important to Canadian and Alberta travellers by downloading the full Blue Cross travel study.
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