The 2023 Blue Cross Travel Study reveals nine in 10 Canadians want to take a vacation this year and are taking steps to achieve greater peace of mind and reduce their stress while on a trip.

“A strong sense of adventure is part of the Canadian spirit, and despite disruptions to the industry over the last few years, Canadians are keen to travel again,” says Tim Bishop, Managing Director, Blue Cross of Canada.  “Knowing that there’s an element of risk with any travel plans, Canadians have rediscovered solutions to manage stress, including bringing along extra cash, having someone look after their home, and purchasing travel insurance.”

Motivations, Challenges & Solutions

According to the study, the top reasons for wanting to travel are good weather (44%), making new memories with loved ones (36%) and discovering new places or trying new things (34%).  Yet the joy of travelling can be unexpectedly disrupted.  The study shows most Canadians (89%) experience some form of stress while travelling, and sadly, 40 per cent say that travel stressors are preventing them from taking a trip.

Unfortunately, many Canadians (58%) have experienced travel-related issues, including an airline cancelling or changing flights (24%), lost baggage (20%), damaged baggage (16%) or needing medical attention (13%).  These issues are mirrored in the top sources of travel-related stress.

As a result, most Canadians aren’t willing to take a chance and are actively seeking ways to minimize risk, which includes purchasing travel insurance.  In fact, 42 per cent of Canadian travellers say they are more likely to purchase travel insurance when planning a trip now than in the past and over one third (38%) report the top reason for buying travel insurance is being able to travel without worry.

“The value of travel insurance is two-fold: not only does it provide assistance while abroad, but it also provides peace of mind,” says Bishop.  “Travel should be about the fun and excitement of a trip, not worrying about what could go wrong.  With heightened travel risk due to the pandemic, Canadians are taking extra precautions to protect themselves and their loved ones to make the most of their trips.”

Canadians are Chasing Blue Skies

When it comes to travel, Canadians prefer to plan.  In fact, only nine per cent of Canadians book their trips at the last minute (less than a week ahead).  Most Canadians (89%) have at least one habit when planning a trip, including researching to find vacation deals or packages (44%), doing extensive research on the destination (37%), or creating a checklist of things to do at the destination (34%).

Travel insurance has become an increasingly important part of the planning process, as 58 per cent of Canadians agree they would never consider leaving their province without it.  Canadians still look to escape the frigid winter temperatures and good weather is the top factor when choosing their vacation destination (55%).

Please learn more about the study here.

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About the Study

The research was conducted by Research + Knowledge = Insight, an independent research company. Fielded in November and December 2022 to a nationally representative sample of 2,186 adult Canadians, the survey has a margin of error of +/-2.0%, 19 times out of 20.