According to a Choice Hotels Canada survey* conducted by Leger that questioned Canadians on their travel habits the vast majority are planning trips soon and looking to connect with relatives at home or abroad or simply as a way to enjoy the fun times that come from sharing experiences together.
“In this busy age of online distractions and separate schedules, vacations are a time for families to connect, share memories and spend quality time together,” said Julie Chan-McConnell, Director, Marketing and Loyalty at Choice Hotels Canada.
Canadians are on the move
According to the survey, 89 per cent of Canadians plan to travel somewhere within the country in the next two years and those households with kids are even more likely to take a trip with 92 per cent saying they are ready to hit the road soon.
Who they are travelling with
When Canadians travel, they don’t like to do it alone. An overwhelming 87 per cent like to travel with family or friends, Albertans most of all with 93 per cent and, not surprisingly, 95 per cent of families with kids like to travel together.
The furry members of their families aren’t being left behind. Pets are also popular travel companions with 22 per cent of Canadians saying they don’t leave home without their animals. Families with children are most likely to bring the pet along with 26 per cent saying so.
Where they’re going
When it comes time to pick a travel destination, most Canadians like to find new places to go every time they take a trip. Nearly three quarters (74 per cent) seek novel destinations whenever they travel and that number jumps to 81 per cent for Quebecers. Families also like variety as 79 per cent of households with kids look for something new every year.
The reality, though, is that while they may dream of visiting new places, half return to the same vacation spots again and again. Albertans are the biggest creatures of habit with 57 per cent of them sticking to the same destination every time they travel.
The family that travels together stays together
Travel may be a time to see new things and visit new places, but a large number use it as a time to connect with friends and family in far-flung places. As many as 59 per cent of Canadians travel to hook up with family and friends while those from Manitoba and Saskatchewan are even more likely with 74 per cent doing so.
If you’ve got kids in your house, then they have a large impact on where you travel. An overwhelming 88% of them said that children help determine where families go on a trip.
Travelling together is good for families as 84 per cent of Canadians with children say that it brings them closer together.
What they’re looking for in a hotel
Canadian travellers look for value for money when they choose a hotel, with families with children being the most price conscious of all at 97 per cent. After price, the most important factors when choosing accommodations by Canadians is cleanliness (86 per cent) as well as safety (64 per cent).
To help manage budgets, an overwhelming number of Canadians (81 per cent) look for discounts or reward points when they travel.
About the survey
An online survey of 1,576 Canadians was conducted between Tuesday May 24th to Thursday May 26th 2016 using LegerWeb. A probability sample of the same size would yield a margin of error of +/- 2.5 per cent, 19 times out of 20.
