TORONTO, July 20, 2020 /CNW/ -- It's no surprise that
travel looks very different this summer. With so much having
changed and impacted the way we move around in our day to day
lives, travel is no exception to this 'new normal'. The latest
report from Expedia.ca dives into the emerging trends and
behaviours of Canadians as restrictions ease and travellers slowly
venture back into the travel space, beginning with exploring the
many beautiful parts of our own backyard. Results from the report
include:
- Around a quarter of Canadians expressed they will likely take a
road trip this summer
- Interest in domestic summer stays is up 30 percent
year-on-year, making up around 85 percent of hotel searches overall
in June
- Demand for intra-provincial stays are on the rise and are up
almost 20% compared to last year
- Flexibility is key: 97 percent of stays booked in June were
refundable rates, up nearly 20 percent year-on-year
- Health and safety, avoiding crowds prioritized over price
"We know that Canadians miss travel and are looking for
information on how and when to travel in a responsible and safe
way," says, Mary Zajac, PR Manager
at Brand Expedia. "That's why we've been working hard to make it
easier for travellers to find the information they need to navigate
the summer travel season, such as flexible, refundable rates and
the new cleaning policies hotels are rolling out. We want
travellers to have peace of mind whenever they're ready to travel
again."
Read on for more insights and tips from the Expedia 2020 Summer
Travel Report.
Summer travellers staying closer to home
Travelling
within Canada has been a popular
choice of summers past; an opportunity to make the dollar go the
farthest, and this year is no exception. Though this year,
Canadians are faced with a new environment of restrictions and
limitations as the country slowly and cautiously returns to a 'new
normal'. According to data from Expedia.ca, domestic summer travel
searches have increased by 30 per cent year over year and around 85
per cent of hotel searches on the site in June were for
accommodations located within Canada. In fact, around 60 per cent of June
bookings were for stays within the province, an increase of almost
20 per cent compared to last year1. These insights tell
us that not only is domestic travel top of mind for Canadians, but
intra-provincial travel is where the focus appears to be for those
looking for a getaway, safely, over the summer months.
Last minute bookings are also on the rise, with around half of
Canadian travellers booking trips 0-7 days out this summer, showing
an increase from previous years.
When it comes to destinations, this summer the below spots
topped the list in terms of the most searched, with many of these
places being located in more rural areas outside of city centers.
They include, the Okanagan Valley, Banff, Collingwood, Vancouver, Niagara
Falls, Whistler, Georgian Bay, Jasper, Muskoka and The
Laurentians2. When looking at this list year over year,
we saw many popular destinations last year also hold similar
characteristics with being in close proximity to the great
outdoors; this year we see a similar theme, though more prevalent
and perhaps for different reasons, with these more rural
destinations offering more space to practice physical
distancing.
Safety first: road trips seen as the safest way to get away
this summer
According to a recent survey of 1,000 Canadians
commissioned by Expedia3, around a quarter of Canadians
expressed they will likely take a road trip this summer (though not
all have made solid plans quite yet). Almost half said if no plans
this summer, they will likely plan for the fall should travel
remain an option. When asked what Canadians are looking for most
out of a road trip this summer, around a quarter each respectively
said to enjoy the outdoors and to get out of town and enjoy the
scenery.
As travellers venture away from home and destinations open back
up to tourism, health and safety takes priority over price when
trip-planning. Almost 40 per cent of survey respondents said
they're opting for a road trip this summer because it feels safer
than flying, and more people listed health and safety (38%) and
avoiding crowds (24%) as top concerns over budget (21%). In
response to these concerns, the industry is rolling out new
sanitation measures to help minimize risks. Expedia displays these
hygiene amenities on the site so travellers can feel comfortable
leaving home; they'll know whether a hotel property has enhanced
cleaning processes or if an airline requires passengers to wear
face masks.
Travellers can also message their hotel or vacation rental right
from the Expedia mobile app and ask for more info on their
policies, request special arrangements or check whether certain
amenities like the pool or spa are going to be open.
Flexibility is key in travel planning
With so much
uncertainty impacting vacation plans this summer, many travellers
are opting for plans that can be easily adjusted, cancelled or
rescheduled. Expedia data4 shows 97 per cent of hotel
stays booked in June were refundable rates, up nearly 20 percent
from the year prior.
To make it easier to search for flexible options, the Expedia
website is updated so travellers can filter by hotels that offer
free cancellation and airlines that are waiving any change fees for
future bookings.
What to know before you go
Below are some
considerations and advice for Canadians ahead of planning a road
trip this summer:
- Have a plan. Thinking about where to stop for gas, how
long to drive each day and what time of day to drive through a town
are all aspects of a road trip to map out in advance. As part of
your plan, ensure you read up on any provincial or city
restrictions in place before you head to your destination.
- Know where to stay. If you're among the 42 per cent of
travellers staying in hotels this summer, make sure to research
ahead of time or inquire about specific policies such as whether
the property will have decreased occupancy or spaced stays in
between guests. Other accommodation type(s) people will most likely
opt for on a road trip this summer include camping/RV (28%), a
vacation rental (18%) and a Bed and Breakfast (18%).
- Do vehicle maintenance. Car trouble, especially with
kids or pets in the mix, is rarely a fun experience. When planning
a road trip, have your car serviced or inspected before leaving.
Alternately, consider renting a car with better gas mileage or more
space.
- Pack the essentials. Most Canadians said they plan to
hit the road with their family (35%) or their partner/spouse (29%)
this summer. In addition to clothing and toiletries, road trippers
should also pack snacks, a first-aid kit, cleaning/sanitary
products, masks, valid documents (ID and insurance card) and a
spare car key.
About Expedia
Expedia is one of the world's largest
full-service travel sites, helping millions of travellers per month
easily plan and book travel. Expedia aims to provide the latest
technology and widest selection of top vacation destinations,
affordable airfare, hotel deals, car rentals, destination weddings,
cruise deals and in-destination activities, attractions, services
and travel apps.
© 2020 Expedia, Inc., an Expedia Group company. All rights
reserved. Expedia and the Airplane logo are either trademarks or
registered trademarks of Expedia, Inc. in the U.S. and other
countries. Other product and company names mentioned herein may be
the property of their respective owners. Visit our web site
https://www.expedia.ca or use our mobile app to book cheap flights,
hotels, and packages.
1Data based on interest or demand on Expedia.ca
during June 2020 for travel between
June 1 – September 7, 2020 compared to the same time
periods in 2019.
2Data based on interest or demand on Expedia.ca during
June 2020 for travel between
June 1 – September 7, 2020 compared to the same time
periods in 2019.
3Survey commissioned by Expedia and conducted by Google
Survey, polling 1,000 respondents, aged 18+, located in
Canada.
4Data based on interest or demand on Expedia.ca during
June 2020 for travel between
June 1 – September 7, 2020 compared to the same time
periods in 2019.
SOURCE Expedia.ca