The True Post (Web News)Traditionally, Canadians have traveled south during the holidays to escape the snow, but this trend has changed following a year of tense relations with their neighboring country. According to local travel agencies, Canadians are increasingly choosing destinations other than the United States, with trips to sunny beaches and Europe on the rise, and travelers are more willing to take longer and farther vacations.
A weak Canadian dollar, political factors, and border issues are among the main reasons for this shift. Flight Centre Canada General Manager Anita Emilio said travelers are looking for a stress-free, safe, and cost-effective travel experience.
Emilio stated, “We have consistently seen a 40 percent decrease in travelers going to the U.S. Airlines have also reduced flights to U.S. destinations and are now operating routes to other locations.”
According to Flight Centre, Turks and Caicos, Saint Lucia, and Japan top the list of growing destinations among Canadians. Domestic travel within Western and Eastern Canada has also increased.
U.S. travel and tourism expert Amir Elyon said various U.S. states and cities are taking steps to attract Canadian travelers back.
He added, “Canadians are one of our two largest international markets. That represents billions of dollars in visitor spending that is no longer occurring.”
CityNews spoke to travelers at Pearson Airport, who had mixed reactions. One traveler said, “I don’t like to economically support those we are in an economic conflict with, so I spend my money elsewhere.”
Another traveler said, “We were originally U.S. citizens and are now dual citizens with Canada, but we see family multiple times a year. We won’t stop going, but we are boycotting other things.”
Flight Centre said this trend is unlikely to change soon. Emilio noted, “Based on our surveys and UGov data, it appears Canadians will continue to spend their travel dollars in different destinations.”
Flight Centre also reported that travelers are already booking warm-weather vacations from January to March and trips to Asia and Europe for the summer.
