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Travel trends in Canada: What to expect

Travel trends in Canada are expected to shift in 2023, with a focus on unique, custom-made experiences and revenge travel.

Canadians’ desire to travel continues to grow, as shown by the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority’s data from 17 major airports across the country. In comparison to the same date in 2019, the number of passengers increased by a staggering 82% on January 1, 2023, surpassing pre-pandemic travel levels. As a result, the travel industry is expected to experience a significant increase in demand in 2023.

The tourism industry was one of the hardest hit by the global COVID pandemic, with the ban on travel directly affecting airlines, cruise lines, accommodation services, tourist attractions, and food services. Despite this, the industry is expected to recover in 2023, with Canadians eager to make up for lost time and travel again. As a result, travel trends in Canada are expected to shift in 2023, with a focus on unique, custom-made experiences and revenge travel.

The Tourism Statistics Program produces detailed statistics on travellers travelling to, from and within Canada, as well as information on travellers’ characteristics and spending. The program also provides information to the Canadian System of Macroeconomic Accounts which produces data on travel and tourism expenditures, employment and gross domestic product. This data is used to predict travel trends in Canada for 2023, providing insight into the future of the industry.

Current state of travel in Canada As of October 2023, the Canadian travel industry is showing strong signs of recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Canadians’ appetite for travel continues to be high, as demonstrated by the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority’s data from across 17 large airports across the country. On January 1, 2023, the passenger count increased by a whopping 82% in comparison to the same date in 2019, surpassing pre-pandemic travel levels.

The Tourism Statistics Program, which produces detailed statistics on travelers traveling to, from, and within Canada, reports that spending by Canadians was 85.8% of the total tourism spending in the first quarter of 2022. The GDP from tourism increased by 11.9% in the final quarter of 2021. In June 2023, the number of visitors to Canada was 83% of the number in June 2019.

It is estimated that by the end of 2023, the Canadian travel industry will employ 1.64 million people. In 2022, the contribution of the travel industry to the Canadian economy grew by 41.4% compared to 2021.

The Government of Canada’s official source of travel information and advice, the Travel Advice and Advisories , provides information to help travelers make informed decisions and travel safely while outside Canada. The advisories are updated regularly to reflect the current situation in each country. As of October 16, 2023, the advisory for the United States was to take normal security precautions, while the advisory for Uruguay was also to take normal security precautions.

Emerging travel trends in Canada Canada’s travel industry is constantly evolving, and new trends are emerging every year. In 2023, there are several travel trends that are expected to gain traction among Canadian travelers.

Sustainable tourism Sustainable tourism is becoming increasingly popular among Canadian travelers. More and more people are looking for ways to reduce their carbon footprint while traveling. This includes choosing eco-friendly accommodations, participating in sustainable activities, and supporting local businesses. Tour operators are also responding to this trend by offering more sustainable travel options, such as carbon-neutral tours and eco-friendly transportation.

Solo travel Solo travel is no longer just for backpackers and adventure seekers. In 2023, more Canadians are expected to embrace solo travel to explore the world on their own terms. This trend is driven by a desire for independence, self-discovery, and personal growth. Tour operators are responding by offering solo travel packages that cater to the unique needs and interests of solo travelers.

Digital nomadism Digital nomadism is a growing trend among Canadian professionals who are looking for more flexibility in their work and travel schedules. With the rise of remote work, more and more Canadians are choosing to work from anywhere in the world. This trend is expected to continue in 2024, with more companies offering remote work options and more digital nomads taking advantage of them. Tour operators are responding to this trend by offering packages that cater to the needs of digital nomads, such as co-working spaces and reliable Wi-Fi.

Future predictions for Canadian travel

Rise of local tourism With the pandemic still looming, many Canadians have turned to exploring their own backyard for their travel needs. This trend is expected to continue into 2024, with more Canadians opting for local travel destinations. The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority’s data from 17 large airports across the country shows that passenger count increased by 82% on January 1, 2023, compared to the same date in 2019, surpassing pre-pandemic travel levels.

There are also a lot of activities that are done in an online environment instead of having a physical presence. Everything from classes being taught from home to leisure activities such as gambling at online casinos. Canada has seen a growth overall in online presence for online casinos, and the trend seems to carry on into 2024. To enjoy gambling remotely, a lot of player reports suggests using this list of secure websites.

The travel industry is expected to embrace local tourism by offering more packages and deals for domestic travel. This will not only benefit Canadians but also help boost the local economy.

Increased demand for outdoor activities Canadians have always had a love for the great outdoors, and this trend is expected to continue in 2024. With many people still hesitant to travel internationally, outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and skiing are becoming more popular. This is evidenced by the top trending domestic destinations on KAYAK, which include Banff, Whistler, and Jasper.

Travel companies are expected to cater to this trend by offering more outdoor-focused packages and experiences. This could include guided hiking tours, camping trips, and ski packages. It is also expected that there will be an increase in demand for outdoor gear rentals, such as camping equipment and skiing gear.

The future of Canadian travel looks bright, with local tourism and outdoor activities leading the way. As Canadians continue to explore their own backyard, the travel industry will adapt and provide new and exciting experiences for them to enjoy.

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2023: Canada’s year of revenge travel

Travellers, consider this your “ villain era .” We’ve picked our top travel trends for Canada this year, and it’s clear: 2023 is the year for revenge travel.

What do we mean by that? This is the year you get to take all those trips you missed due to various quarantine guidelines, lockdowns and more initiatives to better protect our community. Then, 2022 was really about traveling to see the family and friends you were far away from. Now, 2023 is yours – it’s all about planning those trips that put your wants and needs first.

And it’s happening despite rising flight prices (up 21% year-over-year). In fact, our data shows that international flight searches in Canada are up nearly 100% (technically 98% YoY), proving Canadians are making up for lost time and booking big – no quick weekend getaways here (though of course, if that’s your version of revenge travel – do it).

To help all your ambitions come to life in 2023, we’re sharing our top trends and money-saving tips, including when to fly, where to stay and how to get more bang for your buck amid rising prices.

Here are our travel predictions for 2023:

• Asian destinations will be all the rage. Manila (+287% YoY increase in searches), Tokyo (+279% YoY), and Bangkok (+229% YoY) are leading as the top trending international destinations in 2023. And, with airfare to the South Pacific down an average of 25% since last year, those typically expensive flights may be just a bit less expensive.*
• Budget travellers will head to the beach. Our data shows that flights to some coastal destinations are cheaper than last year, like Melbourne (-10% YoY decrease in airfare), Vaitape (-9% YoY), Copenhagen (-8% YoY), Croatia (-5% YoY) and Greece (-3% YoY).*
• You’ll want to fly out on Thursdays and Fridays for better deals.* According to our data, on average, the lowest flight prices can be found if you plan to travel on one of these days.
• Staycations will be on their way out. Searches for accommodations domestically are up 10% compared to last year while international stays are up an impressive 94% compared to last year.*** This is signalling that more travellers may opt to cross borders than stay close to home.
• Roadtrips will be driving more vacations. Rental car searches are up both internationally (78% YoY) and domestically (4% YoY).** In 2023, we think you’ll see more travelers on the road… literally.
• 2023 will be the year of anti-procrastination. Canadians are becoming more comfortable with booking travel further in advance, with the average flight booking window increasing by 21% for domestic travel and 14% for international travel compared to last year. That’s more than a month for domestic flights (44 days in advance) and approximately two months (56-64 days in advance) for international destinations!*

Ready to jump-start your 2023 trips? KAYAK Explore will let you set a budget and see how far it’ll take you. Give it a try and happy planning.

Methodology 

*KAYAK considered searches for flights from 7.1.2022 – 11.20.2022 for travel between 1.1.2023 – 12.31.2023. To compare year over year, we considered searches for flights from 7.1.2021 – 11.20.2021 for travel between 1.1.2022 – 12.31.2022. To compare year over three year, we considered searches for flights from 7.1.2019 – 11.20.2019 for travel between 1.1.2020 – 12.31.2020. Percentages and prices are on average. Destinations were excluded based on certain criteria, such as inadequate search volume. **KAYAK considered searches for rental cars from 7.1.2022 – 11.20.2022 for travel between 1.1.2023 – 12.31.2023. To compare year over year, we considered searches for rental cars from 7.1.2021 – 11.20.2021 for travel between 1.1.2022 – 12.31.2022. To compare year over three year, we considered searches for rental cars from 7.1.2019 – 11.20.2019 for travel between 1.1.2020 – 12.31.2020. Percentages and prices are on average. Destinations were excluded based on certain criteria, such as inadequate search volume. ***KAYAK considered searches for stays from 7.1.2022 – 11.20.2022 for travel between 1.1.2023 – 12.31.2023. To compare year over year, we considered searches for stays from 7.1.2021 – 11.20.2021 for travel between 1.1.2022 – 12.31.2022. To compare year over three year, we considered searches for stays from 7.1.2019 – 11.20.2019 for travel between 1.1.2020 – 12.31.2020. Percentages and prices are on average. Destinations were excluded based on certain criteria, such as inadequate search volume.

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A Survey of Canadian Travellers Reveals the Top 10 Travel Trends for 2022

    When the world reopens to travel, what will travellers want? Where will they go? And what values will inform their booking?

To answer those questions, adventure travel operator G Adventures gazed into its crystal globe to predict the year ahead. Well, kind of. The trends emerged from the feedback of more than 1,600 Canadian consumers who are counted among G Adventures’ global consumer panel.

Bruce Poon Tip, G’s founder, notes that the trends clearly reveal the pandemic has produced a more conscious traveller.

“The pandemic has woken travellers up and given them a chance to reflect on how they were travelling before. The data tells us people have become more purposeful and intentional about how and why they are travelling and where they are going, and they are recognizing the positive impact travel can have on local communities when decisions are made wisely."

Here are the top 10 predictions for 2022 travel:

Trend 1: Community tourism is the solution to responsible travel

According to G Adventures’ latest panel research, close to a third (28 per cent*) of respondents say they will place more focus on travelling responsibly in 2022. With the increased focus on community and support of locally owned businesses fostered during the pandemic, it makes sense that this mindset carries over into international travel plans. Travellers are looking for adventures that support community tourism, and trails are a great way for tourists to spread wealth through multiple smaller villages.    

Trend 2: Travellers care most about supporting local people

The most important factor for Canadians when they travel is that their money benefits local people, at 67 per cent. This trend has been intensified by the impact of the pandemic on those countries who rely on tourism for their economic survival, and came in well ahead of other important considerations such as minimizing one’s carbon footprint and/or reducing plastics consumption (both at 15 per cent globally).    

Trend 3: "Workcations" increase in popularity 

As the world shifted to remote working, companies realised office confines were no longer required to ensure productivity. Previously the domain of the digital nomad, “workcations” have hit the mainstream. 20 per cent of respondents to G Adventures’ most recent survey say they are able to “work from anywhere” – with that number rising to 46 per cent for those aged 18-34. An increasing number of people plan to combine work with travel in future at 30 per cent, up from 18 per cent in December 2020.    

Trend 4: Hostels will make a big comeback 

The need for social connection amongst young travellers is stronger than ever with 63 per cent of respondents aged 18-34 saying they were likely to try a hostel experience following the pandemic, and 71 per cent of those expressing that meeting people to socialize at the hostel, and possibly travel with, is the most important factor when selecting a hostel.    

Trend 5: Travellers want to disconnect from their devices 

Workationers aside, while travellers want to reconnect with people and places, they are desperate to disconnect from the online world while on holiday. 55 per cent of Canadians want to take time out from their devices and social media, with 23 per cent saying socializing and meeting new people is their top wellbeing priority when booking their next holiday.    

Trend 6: Travellers will have a bit more cash to splash 

With staying in spurring a savings boom, 20 per cent of travel-starved respondents said they had increased their travel budget for their next international holiday, which means their travel dollars are likely to take them on bigger adventures than they might have thought possible before.   

Trend 7: The staycation is over; travellers want to go further afield

The domestic holiday appeal is wearing off as the pandemic rolls on. Only 15 per cent of Canadians said they would prefer to stay closer to home as opposed to heading further afield on their next international holiday, with a third – 32 per cent - saying they were less likely to take a ‘staycation’ in 2022.      

Trend 8: Lockdown life has led to a desire to be more active 

Seventy-two per cent of those surveyed want to be physically active on their next holiday and with 66 per cent of travellers polled saying their physical and mental wellbeing is a top consideration when booking a holiday, taking a hike never sounded more appealing.    

Trend 9: Travellers are prioritizing their wellbeing and mental health 

With an overwhelming 94 per cent of travellers saying travel is important to their wellbeing and mental health, travellers are also looking to take their next holiday in a way that not only helps them to reconnect, but optimizes travel as a means of revitalization, too.   

Trend 10: Revenge travel is out, reconnection travel is in 

Consumers are hungry for new experiences and connections. Although the term “revenge travel” – the urge to travel to make up for lost time in lockdown – gained popularity over the course of the pandemic, reconnection travel is the top reason for travelling at 41 per cent, with revenge travel - booking a trip to make up for lost time – coming in at just nine per cent.

Disclaimer: This article was supplied by G Adentures. 

G Adventure trips for each trend: Community-based tourism | Highlights of the Trans Bhutan Trail Supporting local | Highlights of Egypt “Workcation” | Costa Rica: Beaches, Wildlife and Wild Times Hostels & social connection | Yucatan Adventure: Merida, Tulum & Jungle Swims Digital detox | Galapagos - Central and East Islands   Splurge-worthy trip | National Geographic Journeys with G Adventures - Iconic Japan   Far flung adventure | Highlights of Uzbekistan  An active trip| Zion to San Francisco Adventure Mental health & wellbeing |   Wellness Bali Reconnection travel | Trekking Eastern Iceland

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Unwrapping Canadian holiday travel trends and 2024 travel predictions

Key Takeaways

• This winter, Canadian travelers are seeking warm beaches, tropical getaways, and amazing pools.
• Trending destinations for families north of the border span the streets of Tokyo to the beaches of Jamaica.
• As the world prepares to wrap up 2023, Canadian jet-setters are setting their sights on iconic cities in Japan and incredible beaches in Greece for 2024 travel.

Just in time for the busy holiday travel season 1 , Airbnb is releasing its annual winter travel trends for Canadians, revealing trending destinations 2 , the most booked categories, and the stays travellers are searching for this season. In the spirit of welcoming the new year, Airbnb is also shaking the magic 8 ball to reveal 2024 travel predictions, as Canadians get ready for another exciting year of exploration. 

From warm weather destinations in South America to iconic European cities, Canadians are actively seeking memorable stays around the globe.

2023 trending holiday destinations for Canadians

This holiday season, Canadians are setting their sights on warm beaches , tropical getaways , and amazing pools , making up the most booked categories for the holidays. From jet-setting to dreamy destinations across Asia-Pacific and South America, including Thailand, Japan, and Argentina, Canadian guests are embracing the holidays from around the world. 

The following locations are just some of the trending global destinations that are catching Canadians’ attention 3 :

• Tokyo, Japan
• Buenos Aires, Argentina
• Pattaya City, Thailand
• Sámara, Costa Rica
• Dallas, Texas, United States
• Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
• Florence, Tuscany, Italy
• Porto, Porto District, Portugal
• Negril, Westmoreland Parish, Jamaica
• Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Trending holiday domestic destinations

The Great White North is vast and beautiful, so it comes as no surprise that domestic travel is thriving for Canadian travelers this holiday season. From snow-capped mountains to crystallized lakes, this winter, Canadians are enjoying all the country has to offer. This holiday season and into the new year, travelers are set to be busy exploring Canada’s winter scapes, seeking cozy getaways 4 .

• Québec City, Quebec
• Vernon, British Columbia
• Prince Edward County, Ontario
• Montréal, Québec
• Winnipeg, Manitoba
• Kitchener, Ontario
• Windsor, Ontario
• Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
• Whitehorse, Yukon
• Kelowna, British Columbia

Guests can also rely on these Airbnb holiday travel hacks to find the perfect stay for any budget and any vibe.

Trending 2024 destinations for Canadians

Looking to 2024, globetrotting Canadians are ready to pack their bags and explore new destinations. With cold weather setting in, Canadians are dreaming of sunshine-filled stays with top booked categories for 2024 including Amazing pools , Tropical stays , and Beaches . 

As travel continues to inspire wanderlust,  it’s no surprise that captivating destinations like Stockholm and Rome are the top trending destinations for the year ahead. Top trending destinations worldwide that Canadians are searching for in 2024 include:

• Stockholm, Sweden
• Mykonos, Greece
• Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
• Rome, Italy
• Saint-François, Guadeloupe
• Galveston, Texas, United States
• Port St. Lucie, Florida, United States

Trending 2024 domestic destinations for Canadians

For 2024, Canadian guests are headed out coast-to-coast, seeking one-of-a-kind picturesque stays in beautiful British Columbia, culturally rich Quebec, and metropolitan Ontario. The following destinations are a few of 2024’s most trendy spots across the country. 

• Toronto, Ontario
• Silver Star Mountain, British Columbia
• Chilliwack, British Columbia
• Gatineau, Quebec
• Saguenay, Quebec
• Sun Peaks, British Columbia
• St. Catharines, Ontario

Guest Favorites: Great ratings and reviews, easy to discover on Airbnb

For guests who are yet to finalize 2024 travel plans and need help finding the cream of the crop, Airbnb recently launched Guest Favorites , a collection of the 2 million most-loved homes on Airbnb based on ratings, reviews, and reliability. Guest Favorites have excellent reviews and are rated above 4.9 stars on average. These homes also receive high marks for ease of check-in, cleanliness, listing accuracy, Host communication, location, and value. Below are some of the most wishlisted Guest Favorite homes, including one of Canada’s most popular listings, to inspire new year travel: 

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These Are the Top Travel Trends of 2024, According to American Express Travel

What are people really traveling for in 2024?

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Demand for premium travel continues at a torrid pace in 2024. Not only is that being reflected in the first few months of the year, but also in the newly released trend report by  American Express (Amex) Travel . The study explored travel behaviors and trip planning from participants living in seven countries: Australia, Canada, Mexico, Japan, India, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

The majority of respondents are planning major milestone-like trips, even if there isn’t necessarily an occasion to celebrate. And 84 percent of people surveyed plan to spend more or the same amount of money on travel in 2024 compared to last year. That includes destinations like  Antarctica  and the  Galapagos Islands . (Travel agents and advisors are making a resurgence as well, with over 50 percent of people looking to leverage a travel agent or trusted advisor to book, like  T+L’s A-List .)

“The report shows that demand for travel is continuing, and that people are building itineraries to create memories—being intentional about the places they are going, and the things they are doing when they get there,” Audrey Hendley, president of American Express Travel, told Travel + Leisure .

Meanwhile, if 2023 was the year of “gig-tripping” (and the Taylor Swift effect), then 2024 is the year of long-distance travel for sporting events. Amex’s survey showed that 67 percent of millennial and Gen Z respondents are interested in traveling for sports in 2024. Paris, Miami, and New York City are the top three cities for sports travel, according to Amex. (Paris is hosting the  Olympic Games this year, Miami is hosting Formula 1, and New York City has the U.S. Open Tennis.)

In addition, solo travel will be a prominent theme in 2024, with 76 percent of millennials and Gen Z (compared to 69 percent of all respondents) saying they plan to take a solo trip this year, with a majority centered around self-love and treating themselves. “It is really interesting to see how many people are embracing solo travel,” said Hendley. “We’re seeing changes with younger travelers in particular."

Finally, Amex says that 2024 will be a notable year for spontaneous trips or what they’re calling “on-a-whim travel.” Nearly 80 percent of travelers say they plan to take a spur-of-the-moment trip, while 44 percent of respondents even expressed a preference for a spontaneous trip instead of having all the details planned. In fact, there are entire companies (like  Pack Up & Go  and  Competitours ) that offer complete itineraries where none of the details are provided in advance.

For something a bit less extreme, Henley recommended leaving unplanned time on existing trips to experience local culture and activities. “I just took an incredible trip to Thailand and relied on local experts and tour guides to show me the ‘real’ sites. I would have missed out on these local experiences – and so much incredible food – if I hadn’t left room in my itinerary to be impulsive and truly explore,” she said.

To learn more visit go.amex .

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Proof Point: Canadians’ post-pandemic travel fever holds steady

• Canada’s post-pandemic travel rush has continued despite soaring prices and ongoing disruptions. But beneath the surface, Canadians are making more compromises.
• Though travel abroad has snapped back, many are opting for shorter distances, with a notable surge in trips to the U.S.
• And domestic travel has increased, with the Atlantic provinces emerging as new hotspots—likely due to a surge of immigration and interprovincial migration.
• This robust demand will gradually erode amid higher interest rates, pricier flights and hotels, and disruptions triggered by labour shortages.
• Bottom line : We continue to expect a ‘moderate’ recession, one in which travel demand is more resilient than in previous downturns. But this demand will nevertheless soften as other economic forces take a toll.

Canadians can’t slake their thirst for travel

Flight cancellations, luggage mishaps, and even soaring prices have done little to quiet the post-pandemic boom in Canadian travel demand. Between January and April of 2023, over 10 million Canadians returned from trips abroad. That’s up by 7% compared to the same period in 2019.

Despite countless interruptions, and the grip of rising prices and interest rates on household budgets, spending on travel (which usually precipitates actual volume) has remained exceptionally strong—rising almost 30% above pre-pandemic levels, according to our own tracking of RBC data.

Underneath that seemingly unquenchable thirst, however, subtle changes in travel preferences are emerging.

Even record prices have failed to dampen Canadians’ wanderlust

In hindsight, the summer of 2022 was ripe for travel chaos. Tourism jobs in Canada were still down by almost 10%, or over 130,000 positions, compared to 2019. And an acute labour shortage left the travel sector (like many others) struggling to find workers. The situation was especially dire for air transport and travel agencies, where employment was down by close to 20%. Meantime, demand for Canadian tourism was rising— fast. By the end of 2022, domestic and international travel had both rebounded to 15% below 2019 levels (in constant dollar terms). And pent-up demand had driven prices through the roof. Hotels and tours in Canada were approximately 20% more expensive during summer 2022 than they were in summer 2019, flights were over 30% pricier, and rental cars cost over 50% more.

Though costs have eased since then—prices for air transport in April were 4% below where they were last year—interest rates have soared, pushing the cost of food and shelter to record levels. Yet Canadians still haven’t shelved their travel plans.

Despite the higher cost, more Canadians opted to fly in 2023 rather than drive. Indeed, the number of Canadians returning from trips abroad by a land port plunged 21% in the first part of the year, while the number who flew rose 42%. And travellers continue to prioritize quality over budget. In 2023, more Canadians searched for “best” travel options, compared to “cheap” ones, according to data from Google Trends. The gap has also grown noticeably wider than it was before the pandemic.

But cost is rerouting some of our plans

Still, there are signs that rising prices are having an effect. Among Canadians that flew, significantly more travelled to the U.S. relative to other countries. Roughly 134% more Canadian residents returned from the U.S. via air travel from January to April this year, compared to 2019. This could be due to frustrations with airport disruptions, the return of conferences in the U.S., and an increased ability to work from “anywhere.” But shorter distances are also more affordable. As interest rates and prices remain relatively high (though slightly down from last year) this was likely a key consideration.

Even domestically, travel preferences have shifted. Atlantic Canada became a travel magnet in 2023 with Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia all seeing the biggest increases in search interest during January to mid-May 2023 relative to the prior 6-month period, according to Google Trends.

Interestingly, these same provinces are experiencing a population boom. Combined, population among Atlantic Canada provinces rose 2.5% in 2022, outpacing the national average of 1.8%. That rise was fueled by more net international migration, as well as more inter-provincial migration. Newcomers likely brought with them more demand for domestic tourism—either their own or that of visiting friends and family.

Demand for travel will slow but won’t crash

Unemployment rates in Canada have been trending around decade-low levels. That’s boosted household income and supported consumer spending on travel.

But this is unlikely to last. Early indicators are that job openings are leveling off, suggesting a softening in labour demand is underway. And conditions are expected to weaken even more into 2024. Meantime, headwinds associated with tighter monetary policy will keep building, limiting future spending as more people face rising debt payments .

Still, spending from higher income households should continue to fuel demand. These households, which put away a disproportionally high share of pandemic savings, also tend have more stable income during economic downturns, as they are less prone to lose employment. And higher immigration should continue to limit declines in domestic travel demand, as more newcomers explore within or out of their provinces. In short, we expect a slowing in travel demand, but not a crash.

Claire Fan is an economist at RBC. She focuses on macroeconomic analysis and is responsible for projecting key indicators including GDP, employment and inflation for Canada and the US.

Google Trends insights provided by Alyza Keshavjee , Head of Insights and Swathi Sadagopan , Strategic Insight Lead

Proof Point is edited by Naomi Powell , Managing Editor of RBC Economics & Thought Leadership.

This article is intended as general information only and is not to be relied upon as constituting legal, financial or other professional advice. A professional advisor should be consulted regarding your specific situation. Information presented is believed to be factual and up-to-date but we do not guarantee its accuracy and it should not be regarded as a complete analysis of the subjects discussed. All expressions of opinion reflect the judgment of the authors as of the date of publication and are subject to change. No endorsement of any third parties or their advice, opinions, information, products or services is expressly given or implied by Royal Bank of Canada or any of its affiliates.

Claire Fan May 30, 2023

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Travel trends: How Canadian travellers are taking off this spring

Mar 09, 2023

[[read-time]] min read

As we continue to bundle up and tackle chilly winter temperatures, it’s no surprise that Canadians are keen to escape the cold and embrace sunshine and warmer weather. While we might not be done with winter yet, Canadians are clearly eager to make their spring vacation plans and we’re seeing travellers eager to spring forward - straight into March Break and summer travel.

As more and more Canadians start gearing up for their spring and summer travel plans we’re taking note and uncovering the latest trends sharing how the travel and tourism providers can show up for travellers.

Travel Trend #1: Travel demand skyrockets as Canadians spring into their next trip

With travel typically reaching its biggest moment in March and April, demand in 2023 is showing no signs of stopping. In fact, Canadian searches for flights are exceeding pre-pandemic levels, and are higher than they were in 2019. And with spring break right around the corner, we’re seeing searches for ‘ travel credit cards ’ reach the highest they’ve been in years, further pointing to a surge in interest as eager travellers plan around their next trip.

Travel Trend #2: Travellers are open to inspiration and influence

A changing of the seasons is bringing in a new wave of intrigue and welcoming travel inspiration. We’re seeing more Canadians open to influence, with Google searches for ‘ where to trave l’ reaching all time highs within the last year alone. And with the vast majority of travellers still undecided and open to ideas, there is a huge opportunity for travel brands to show up and help consumers who are researching locations, comparing prices and looking for suggestions on where to go on their next vacation.

Travel Trend #3: It’s the era of craving culture and searching based on seasonality

Say sayonara to staycations! With the past few years prompting domestic travel or venturing south of the border to the United States we’re now seeing strong interest in European and Asian destinations bounce back in a big way, as shown by the top searched destinations on Google Flights this year.

Seasonality meets sunshine as Canadians go back to booking their trips. We’re seeing this with increased searches for sun destinations over the holidays and into spring break, while interest in European destinations heat up in the summer. Insights show that travellers are also searching for flights and hotels approximately two months in advance.

Based on these trends, the travel and tourism industry should begin early and build their presence by showing up consistently, not only during the big moments for March-April travellers but by foreshadowing the needs of early bird summer jetsetters.

Make the most of your travel plans with informed insights

With all these trends setting the stage for Canadian globetrotters, it’s important that travel businesses and tourism officials have access to the insights and information to keep on top of demand. Which is why we’ve created Travel Insights with Google for Canada, providing insights into real-time travel demand based on global Google Search data.

From here you’ll be able to monitor travel trends through our Destinations Insights , standout as the stay of choice through our Hotel Insights , and stay versatile by adapting your performance through the Travel Analytics Center . Flying across the pond or setting up shop under the sun just got a whole lot easier for Canadian travellers and travel brands alike.

Sources: Google Trends data

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Travel Trends in 2022

Great canadian trails blog.

Recreating outdoor adventure

By Robin Esrock 

After enduring the challenges of 2020 (a lost year we’d probably all like to forget), 2021 saw the world of travel slowly get back on its feet, sputtering forward in fits and starts, aided in no small part by the miracle of vaccines, and the willingness of travellers to keep themselves – and others – safe. Where do we go from here? Below are several trends that are expected to have an increasing impact in the evolving world of tourism.

We now know that Covid is an airborne virus. Outdoor travel has always been popular, but it’s definitely picked up new adherents since the pandemic began. People who had never been camping before pitched tents and discovered what many of us had known all along: being outdoors is an experience well worth repeating! Multi-day bike trips, along with week-long hikes, kayak or canoe trips, suddenly appeal to everyone, including those more accustomed to the usual hotel resort getaway. Innovations like electric bikes, curated self-guided itineraries , and professionally guided outdoor adventures also make the outdoors a lot more accessible and realistic. Travellers young and old have realized that you don’t need to be a hardcore backcountry explorer to truly immerse yourself in nature. Catering to enthusiastic new adherents, outdoor travel will continue to become increasingly popular, sustaining this enthusiasm into 2022 and beyond.

Staycations

Great Canadian Trails has been yelling from the hilltops for years that Canada is a world-class outdoor destination, largely underrated and frequently overlooked by travellers near and far. When the pandemic slammed the borders of international travel shut, local travellers were forced to look at their country – and their own provinces – with fresh eyes. We suddenly appreciated just how much we can experience here at home and that we don’t need to travel abroad to find unique adventures, scenery, food, culture and company. Tourism marketing dollars were rerouted into domestic campaigns, encouraging locals to explore their surroundings and support their communities. While there are encouraging signs that the worst of the pandemic is behind us, future waves and variants – and the restrictions that accompany them – will likely still keep travellers closer to home in 2022.

Sustainable

The 2021 COP event in Glasgow swung climate firmly back into the media spotlight. Devastating floods, wildfires, droughts and heatwaves brought climate change home for all of us. Beyond government policy, the tourism industry will have to adapt, becoming more sustainable, responsible, eco-friendly, and community-driven. Great Canadian Trails have recognized this by making all their trips 100% carbon neutral , offsetting their impact by purchasing carbon credits that support renewable energy and reforestation around the world. This comes at no additional cost to their clients. Every responsible tourism operator or agency should hopefully follow suit. Reducing carbon footprints extends well beyond carbon credits: how we travel makes a big difference. This further feeds into the increasing popularity of self-propelled outdoor adventures like hiking, biking and paddling.

Transformational

The pandemic robbed us of two of the biggest gifts of travel: the human connections we make and the positive, personal insights that we discover on our journeys. Travel changes both ourselves and the world we live in. We all want to make up for lost time, and in doing there is a real hope that everyone from millennials to boomers will return to tourism with more patience, humility and appreciation. Anyone involved in tourism has had to endure tremendous sacrifices and challenges. We all want to support local industries and communities. We also know the value of tourism to bridge encounters between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, fostering honest dialogue through experience. Many organizations and companies focusing on diversity and inclusion, personal growth, healthy living, and positive collaboration have matured during the pandemic, suggesting a positive trend moving forward.

Travel Bubbles

While some destinations and activities will rebound faster than others, it might take a while before everyone feels comfortable among large crowds. Multi-generational travel was already starting to blossom before the pandemic. The rare opportunities to share adventures or special experiences with our nearest and dearest have only been amplified by lockdowns and restrictions. We’ve been reminded – sometimes tragically – just how quickly our biggest dreams can disappear, derailed by forces beyond our control. Gathering our loved ones will continue to not only feel safe but also vital and necessary. Travelling with parents, siblings, kids and close friends in travel bubbles – whether we’re on a self-guided road trip, outdoor adventure or vacation – will be another positive trend as we eagerly wait for the pandemic to slowly retreat in the rear-view mirror.

Whatever the future holds, here’s wishing you a safe, fun, and inspiring year of discovery ahead. You deserve it!

Robin Esrock is a renowned travel journalist and the bestselling author of the Great Canadian Bucket List .

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Discover The State of Site Selection in 2024 Now!   DOWNLOAD A COPY

Research Reveals 4 Canadian Travel Trends for 2023

The results are in and in 2023 Canadian travelers are on the move more than ever, thanks in no small part to the lifting of pandemic-era restrictions. Development Counsellors International used this pivotal moment to generate original research for destinations and the organizations that represent them to help understand what Canadian travel trends are popular for 2023.

To do so, DCI surveyed 1,511 Canadian citizens from across the nation, including a diversity of provinces and income levels, to generate its third edition of “Capturing the Canadian Consumer: Insights into the Path to Purchase of the Canadian Travellers.” Following the 2020 edition, this newest version provides insight into the habits and preferences of outbound Canadian travelers along their “path to purchase” for international leisure travel.

This research is pivotal for destinations as 41 percent of Canadians say they are keen to book international getaways in the next 12 months. They rank higher than the global average of 30 percent, making Canadians an important market to target. You can get the report here , but first, here are four of the key Canadian travel trends DCI’s researchers uncovered.

1. Where Canadians Are Going First and foremost, Canadians aren’t all looking to go far. In the last 18 months, most travelers booked short haul flights – primarily in the United States – and approximately 50 percent of those surveyed say they are considering traveling to North America while 40 percent are also looking to the Caribbean. Western Europe comes in third among 27 percent of respondents.

Canadians are spending more on this international travel, but only because airfare and costs have risen since 2020, so short-haul flights are a way to keep travel affordable, at least for the foreseeable future. Destinations within a short flight will want to take advantage of this trend and market to Canadians accordingly.

2. When Canadians are Going Unlike previous studies, this new research supports the idea that Canadian travelers want to get out of Canada for the winter. Results show that 47 percent of travelers want to travel between January, up from 40 percent in 2020 and 2017, indicating a desire to seek warmer climates.

While snowbirds have been on destination’s radar for years, the results suggest that marketers broaden their scope when it comes to ages they target for winter travel, as younger people also are seeking a break from the cold.

3. What Canadians are Spending Affluent Canadian travelers with incomes of at least CAN$200,000 on average spend 31 percent more per trip on their international leisure vacations than Canadians with incomes below CAN$200,000. While not surprising, it does reinforce the idea that destinations will want to target higher end Canadian travelers to help capture these bigger spenders.

Among less affluent travelers, however, the research also suggests they are relying more on loyalty programs and points to travel. Also, two thirds of travelers are considering travel insurance , indicating that budgets may be a bit tighter for the less affluent. Destinations must tap into the potential of these sorts of programs to help make sure they stay top of mind for travelers regardless of their budgets.

4. Where Canadians are Staying During the pandemic, Airbnb and other vacation home rentals seemed to have a boom. The independence and isolation of a vacation rental was a draw during lockdowns – but no longer. Fortunately those days are over, and as in 2020, the numbers suggest that Canadians still opt for hotels and motels over vacation rentals for international travel.

When asked which type of accommodation was most appealing, 37 percent of Canadians – the largest portion – responded preferring a hotel or motel, down slightly from 39 percent in 2020. Private home rentals and resorts tied for second at 21 percent. Destinations and their partners marketing to Canadians must keep this in mind when creating packages and promotions for this niche but important market.

For more results and data, get your copy of DCI’s newest research report, “ Capturing the Canadian Consumer: Insights into the Path to Purchase of the Canadian Travellers ,” available now.

Looking to attract Canadian travelers this year? DCI’s research and marketing prowess knows exactly what this niche consumer segment wants. Get in touch with Robyn Domber at [email protected] to learn how DCI’s research team can help you create a better path to purchase by understanding these 2023 Canadian travel trends. 

Robyn Domber

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People are traveling to make memories in 2024. While everyone’s motivation for booking a trip is unique – whether it’s taking a solo getaway to recharge or embarking on an expedition cruise or safari – the trips that are trending are sure to be transformative, and our American Express Travel Consultants are here to build dream itineraries and help every step of the way.”

Nearly three-quarters of global respondents are into sports, with 71% considering themselves either a “huge” or casual fan. And as easy as it is to watch from your living room, 37% have plans to travel for sports this year. Of those, 38% will average trips of 6 hours or more

Why are these fans going the extra mile in 2024? The driving forces include: watching a favorite sports team in person (35%), witnessing a big sports or cultural event (34%), and seeing a favorite athlete (20%).

In the past few years, Las Vegas has become an even more sought-after destination due to the growing prevalence of professional sports – giving us an even greater opportunity to focus on luxury, experience-based travel. Iconic sports moments continue to come to life in Las Vegas, with no signs of slowing down. Wynn has maximized these city-wide events with complementary bespoke programming, which provide our guests with unique, one-of-a-kind moments only found at our resort. With more major events on the horizon, we have an opportunity to continue innovating our programming so that guests see Wynn and Las Vegas as a can’t-miss destination.”

For some respondents, the major trip they have in mind is an immersive adventure, often somewhere totally remote. For others, it simply means a longer trip that’s full of new and diverse experiences—visiting multiple countries, for example. 63% of respondents who plan to visit more than one country on a single trip in 2024 plan to do so in Europe.

The transformative potential of these trips makes them worth the cost and planning. 66% of respondents agree that they are saving up for a major trip this year, and most respondents (54%) like to plan these trips 3-6 months in advance. For inspiration, travelers turn to friends or family (52%), social media (39%), and travel websites (37%).

At Seabourn, travel is back in full swing, and we’ve seen guests show a thirst for knowledge on our voyages, while enjoying the ultra-luxury, once-in-a-lifetime travel experience that we offer. Not only are travelers hungry for adventure and exploration, but they are engaged and show a desire to immerse in the culture of a region. These trips allow travelers to experience ancient, otherworldly, hard-to-reach landscapes, and stunning wildlife, and inspiring local cultures, illustrating how luxury expedition cruising allows travelers to explore remote destinations and create memories to last a lifetime.”

The most popular new travel companions are me, myself, and I. Solo trips are easier to schedule and tailor exactly to your liking, which makes them great for resetting after a busy week: 57% of respondents agreed that they were more likely to travel solo for a quick weekend getaway than for a longer or more expensive trip.

Either way, solo travelers are becoming an important subset. The two types of destinations where they’re most likely to be found? In a new city (29%) or relaxing at a beach or island (22%).

Solo travel is a wonderful way to unwind and discover a new hobby. Traveling alone also allows you to take ownership of selecting the perfect destination and gives you the ability to curate the ideal itinerary, catered just for you.”

Although booking in advance can bring peace of mind and access to some of the most in-demand attractions, many travelers like to do at least some of their planning as they go: 44% of respondents said they prefer to take a spontaneous trip instead of having all the details planned.

Being open to serendipity and the unexpected is part of the excitement of travel; it allows you to act on tips from locals and discover out-of-the-way spots on your own. Granted, most travelers would rather improvise dining and shopping than, say, hotels. And they’re more likely to plan spontaneous travel this year with family (41%) or a significant other (35%) than alone (27%) or with friends (20%).

Travelers are looking to take spontaneous last-minute trips this year, prioritizing flexibility. For those wanting the ability to be spontaneous with their plans, our team of Travel Consultants can support with last minute, on-the-go travel requests.”

Where Travelers Like To Be Spontaneous

Download the 2024 Global Travel Trends report here.

1 SURVEY METHODOLOGY

This poll was conducted between January 31 – February 8, 2024 among a sample of 2,005 US Adults, 1,007 Australia Adults, 1,002 Canada Adults, 1,002 UK Adults, 1,002 Japan Adults, 1,006 Mexico Adults and 1,005 India Adults who have at least a $50k+ income equivalent and typically travel at least once a year. The interviews were conducted online. Results from the full survey have a margin of error of plus or minus 2-4 percentage points. Some geographies may be weighted with fewer variables depending on local census data availability.

2 Gen-Z and Millennials are defined as respondents as being born between 1981 - 2012.

3 GenX are defined as respondents as being born between 1965 - 1980.

4 Baby Boomers are defined as respondents as being born between 1946 - 1964.

*Terms and Conditions

Fine Hotels + Resorts Program:  Fine Hotels + Resorts® (FHR) program benefits are available for new bookings made through American Express Travel with participating properties and are valid only for eligible U.S. Consumer, Business, and Corporate Platinum Card® Members, and Centurion® Members. Additional Platinum Card Members on Consumer and Business Platinum and Centurion Card Accounts are also eligible for FHR program benefits. Companion Card Members on Consumer Platinum and Centurion Card Accounts, Additional Business Gold and Additional Business Expense Card Members on Business Platinum and Centurion Card Accounts, and Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Card Members are not eligible for FHR program benefits. Bookings must be made using an eligible Card and must be paid using that Card, or another American Express® Card, in the eligible Card Member's name, and that Card Member must be traveling on the itinerary booked. The average total value of the program benefits is based on prior-year bookings for stays of two nights; the actual value varies. Noon check-in and room upgrade are subject to availability and are provided at check-in; certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade. The type of experience credit or additional amenity (if applicable) varies by property; the experience credit will be applied to eligible charges up to the amount of the experience credit. Advance reservations are recommended for certain experience credits. The type and value of the daily breakfast (for two) varies by property; breakfast will be valued at a minimum of US$60 per room per day. If the cost of Wi-Fi is included in a mandatory property fee, a daily credit of that amount will be applied at check-out. Benefits are applied per room, per stay (with a three-room limit per stay). Back-to-back stays booked by a single Card Member, Card Members staying in the same room or Card Members traveling in the same party within a 24-hour period at the same property are considered one stay and are ineligible for additional FHR benefits (“Prohibited Action”). American Express and the Property reserve the right to modify or revoke FHR benefits at any time without notice if we or they determine, in our or their sole discretion, that you may have engaged in a Prohibited Action, or have engaged in abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with your FHR benefits. Benefit restrictions vary by property. Benefits cannot be redeemed for cash and are not combinable with other offers unless indicated. Benefits must be used during the stay booked. Any credits applicable are applied at check-out in USD or the local currency equivalent. Benefits, participating properties, and availability and amenities at those properties are subject to change. To be eligible for FHR program benefits, your eligible Card Account must not be cancelled. For additional information, call the number on the back of your Card.

The Hotel Collection Program:  The Hotel Collection (THC) benefits are available for new bookings of two consecutive nights or more made through American Express Travel with participating properties and are valid only for eligible U.S. Consumer and Business Gold Card, Platinum Card® Members, and Centurion® Members. Additional Card Members on Consumer and Business Platinum Card Accounts, and Additional Card Members on Consumer and Business Centurion Accounts are also eligible for THC program benefits. Delta SkyMiles® Gold and Platinum Card Members are not eligible. Bookings must be made using an eligible Card and must be paid using that Card, or another American Express® Card, in the eligible Card Member's name, and that Card Member must be traveling on the itinerary booked. Room upgrade is subject to availability and is provided at check-in; certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade. The type of experience credit or additional amenity (if applicable) varies by property; the experience credit will be applied to eligible charges up to $100. Advance reservations are recommended for certain experience credits. Benefit restrictions vary by property. Benefits are applied per room, per stay (with a three-room limit per stay). Back-to-back stays booked by a single Card Member, Card Members staying in the same room or Card Members traveling in the same party within a 24-hour period at the same property are considered one stay and are ineligible for additional THC benefits (“Prohibited Action”). American Express and the Property reserve the right to modify or revoke the THC benefits at any time without notice if we or they determine, in our or their sole discretion, that you have engaged in a Prohibited Action, or have engaged in abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with your THC benefits. Benefits cannot be redeemed for cash and are not combinable with other offers unless indicated. Benefits must be used during the stay booked. Any credits applicable are applied at check-out in USD or the local currency equivalent. Benefits, participating properties, and availability and amenities at those properties are subject to change. To be eligible for THC program benefits, your eligible Card Account must not be cancelled. For additional information, call the number on the back of your Card.

$200 Hotel Credit:  Basic Card Members on U.S. Consumer Platinum Card Account are eligible to receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when they or Additional Platinum Card Members use their Cards to pay for eligible prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection bookings made through American Express Travel (meaning through amextravel.com, the Amex® App, or by calling the phone number on the back of your eligible Card) or when Companion Platinum Card Members on such Platinum Card Accounts pay for eligible prepaid bookings for The Hotel Collection made through American Express Travel (meaning through amextravel.com, the Amex® App, or by calling the phone number on the back of your eligible Card). Purchases by both the Basic Card Member and any Additional Card Members on the Card Account are eligible for statement credits. However, the total amount of statement credits for eligible purchases will not exceed $200 per calendar year, per Card Account. Fine Hotels + Resorts® program bookings may be made only by eligible U.S. Consumer Basic Platinum and Additional Platinum Card Members. The Hotel Collection bookings may be made by eligible U.S. Consumer Basic and Additional Platinum Card Members and Companion Platinum Card Members on the Platinum Card Account. Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Card Members are not eligible for the benefit. To receive the statement credits, an eligible Card Member must make a new booking using their eligible Card through American Express Travel on or after July 1st, 2021, that is prepaid (referred to as "Pay Now" on amextravel.com and the Amex App), for a qualifying stay at an available, participating Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection property. Bookings of The Hotel Collection require a minimum stay of two consecutive nights. Eligible bookings must be processed before December 31st, 11:59PM Central Time, each calendar year to be eligible for statement credits within that year. Eligible bookings do not include interest charges, cancellation fees, property fees or other similar fees, or any charges by a property to you (whether for your booking, your stay or otherwise).

Statement credits are typically received within a few days, however it may take 90 days after an eligible prepaid hotel booking is charged to the Card Account. American Express relies on the merchant to process transactions within the same calendar year that you made the prepaid booking in order to apply the statement credit in the calendar year that it was intended. For example, if you make an eligible prepaid booking on the last day of the year, but the merchant doesn't process that transaction until the next day, then the statement credit available in the next calendar year will be applied to the Card Account, if the purchase is eligible. Statement credits may not be received or may be reversed if the booking is cancelled or modified. To be eligible for this benefit, your Card account must not be cancelled or past due at the time of statement credit fulfillment. If American Express does not receive information that identifies your transaction as eligible, you will not receive the statement credits. For example, your transaction will not be eligible if it is a booking: (i) made with a property not included in the Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection programs, (ii) not made through American Express Travel, or (iii) not made with an eligible Card. Participating properties and their availability are subject to change. If American Express, in its sole discretion, determines that you have engaged in or intend to engage in any manner of abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with this benefit, American Express will not have an obligation to provide and may reverse any statement credits provided to you. If a charge for an eligible purchase is included in a Pay Over Time balance on your Card Account, the statement credit associated with that charge may not be applied to that Pay Over Time balance. Instead, the statement credit may be applied to your Pay In Full balance. Please refer to AmericanExpress.com/FHR and AmericanExpress.com/HC for more information about Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection, respectively.

5X Membership Rewards® Points Platinum Card:  Basic Card Members will get 1 Membership Rewards® point for each dollar charged for eligible purchases on their Platinum Card® or an Additional Card on their Account and 4 additional points (for a total of 5 points) for each dollar charged for eligible travel purchases on any Card on the Account (“Additional Points”), minus cancellations and credits. Eligible travel purchases are limited to: (i) purchases of air tickets on scheduled flights, of up to $500,000 in charges per calendar year, booked directly with passenger airlines or through American Express Travel (by calling 1-800-525-3355 or through AmexTravel.com); (ii) purchases of prepaid hotel reservations booked through American Express Travel; and (iii) purchases of prepaid flight+hotel packages booked through AmexTravel.com. Eligible travel purchases do not include: charter flights, private jet flights, flights that are part of tours, cruises, or travel packages (other than prepaid flight+hotel packages booked through AmexTravel.com), ticketing or similar service fees, ticket cancellation or change fees, property fees or similar fees, hotel group reservations or events, interest charges, or purchases of cash equivalents. Eligible prepaid hotel bookings or prepaid flight+hotel bookings that are modified directly with the hotel will not be eligible for Additional Points.

Bonuses that may be received with your Card on other purchase categories or in connection with promotions or offers from American Express cannot be combined with this benefit. Any portion of a charge that the Basic Card Member elects to cover through redemption of Membership Rewards points is not eligible to receive points. Additional terms and restrictions apply.

Merchants are assigned codes based on what they primarily sell. We group certain merchant codes into categories that are eligible for Additional Points. A purchase with a merchant will not earn Additional Points if the merchant’s code is not included in an Additional Points category. Basic Card Members may not receive Additional Points if we receive inaccurate information or are otherwise unable to identify your purchase as eligible for an Additional Points category. For example, you may not receive Additional Points when: a merchant uses a third-party to sell their products or services, a merchant uses a third-party to process or submit your transaction to us (e.g., using mobile or wireless card readers), or you choose to make a purchase using a third-party payment account or make a purchase using a mobile or digital wallet.

To be eligible for this benefit, the Card Account must not be cancelled. If American Express, in its sole discretion, determines that you have engaged in or intend to engage in any manner of abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with this benefit in any way American Express may remove access to this benefit from the Account. For additional information, call the number on the back of your Card or visit americanexpress.com/rewards-info for more information about rewards.

5X Membership Rewards Points for Business Platinum Card:  You will get one point for each dollar charged for an eligible purchase on your Business Platinum Card® from American Express. You will get 4 additional points (for a total of 5 points) for each dollar spent on eligible travel purchases. Eligible travel purchases include scheduled flights and prepaid flight+hotel packages made online at AmexTravel.com, minus returns and other credits. Additionally, eligible travel purchases include prepaid hotel purchases made through American Express Travel, over the phone with our Travel Consultants or made online at AmexTravel.com, minus returns and other credits. Eligible travel purchases do NOT include non-prepaid hotel bookings, scheduled flights and prepaid flight+hotel packages over the phone, vacation packages, car rentals, cruise, hotel group reservations or events, ticketing service, cancellation or other fees, interest charges, purchases of travelers checks, purchases or reloading of prepaid cards, or purchases of other cash equivalents. To be eligible for the 5x Membership Rewards® points, you must both reserve and charge the travel purchase with the same eligible Business Platinum Card®. To modify a reservation you must cancel and rebook your reservation. You can cancel and rebook your reservation on AmexTravel.com or by calling a representative of AmexTravel.com at 1-800-297-2977. Cancellations are subject to hotel cancellation penalty policies. If hotel reservations are made or modified directly with the hotel provider, the reservation will not be eligible for this 5X Membership Rewards® point benefit. To be eligible to receive extra points, Card account(s) must not be cancelled or past due at the time of extra points fulfillment. If booking is cancelled, the extra points will be deducted from the Membership Rewards account. Extra points will be credited to the Membership Rewards account approximately 6-10 weeks after eligible purchases appear on the billing statement. Bonuses you may receive with your Card on other purchase categories or in connection with promotions or offers from American Express may not be combined with this benefit. The benefits associated with the Additional Card(s) you choose may be different than the benefits associated with your basic Card. To learn about the benefits associated with Additional Card(s) you choose, please call the number on the back of your Card.

Merchants are assigned codes based on what they primarily sell. We group certain merchant codes into categories that are eligible for additional points. A purchase with a merchant will not earn additional points if the merchant’s code is not included in an additional points category. You may not receive additional points if we receive inaccurate information or are otherwise unable to identify your purchase as eligible for an additional points category. For example, you may not receive additional points when: a merchant uses a third-party to sell their products or services; or a merchant uses a third-party to process or submit your transaction to us (e.g., using mobile or wireless card readers); or you choose to make a purchase using a third-party payment account or make a purchase using a mobile or digital wallet.

Please visit  americanexpress.com/rewards-info  for more information about rewards.

Pay with Points:  To use Pay with Points, you must charge your eligible purchase through American Express Travel to a Membership Rewards® program-enrolled American Express® Card. Eligible purchases through American Express Travel exclude non-prepaid car rentals and non-prepaid hotels. Points will be debited from your Membership Rewards account, and credit for corresponding dollar amount will be issued to the American Express Card account used. If points redeemed do not cover entire amount, the balance of purchase price will remain on the American Express Card account. Minimum redemption 5,000 points.

See  membershiprewards.com/terms  for the Membership Rewards program terms and conditions.

If a charge for a purchase is included in a Pay Over Time balance on your Linked Account the statement credit associated with that charge may not be applied to that Pay Over Time balance. Instead the statement credit may be applied to your Pay in Full balance. If you believe this has occurred, please contact us by calling the number on the back of your Card. Corporate Card Members are not eligible for Pay Over Time.

Terms and Conditions for the Membership Rewards® program apply. Visit  membershiprewards.com/terms  for more information. Participating partners and available rewards are subject to change without notice.

The value of Membership Rewards points varies according to how you choose to use them. To learn more, go to  www.membershiprewards.com/pointsinfo .

American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. is acting solely as a sales agent for travel suppliers and is not responsible for the actions or inactions of such suppliers. Certain suppliers pay us commission and other incentives for reaching sales targets or other goals and may provide incentives to our Travel Consultants. For more information visit  americanexpress.com/travelterms

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Tourism Statistics in Canada

• Updated: March 13, 2024
• Canadian Statistics

Many industries were hit hard by the global COVID pandemic, but the hardest hit industry was the tourism industry. The ban on travel directly affected airlines, cruise lines, accommodation services, tourist attractions, and food services.

It also had an indirect impact on other industries such as retail when visiting shoppers didn’t bring in extra revenue. Some areas, such as the South Shore area in Nova Scotia, were hit harder than others because many local businesses rely on the revenue brought in by tourists.

In this article, we have collected data on how the pandemic affected the tourist industry. We have also included statistics from the first quarter of 2022 to see what has been happening with the number of tourists in Canada since travel bans were lifted.

Tourism Statistics for Canadians

Canada recorded 32 million tourists in 2019 with Toronto and Vancouver the two most popular destinations among international tourists.

• The number of jobs in tourism-dependent industries fell from 2.1 million in 2019 to 1.6 million by the end of 2020.
• Post-pandemic, the tourist industry has struggled to find staff and at the end of the first quarter of 2022, there were 170,000 unfilled jobs in tourism.
• The revenues from the aviation industry fell by 89.9% from April to December 2020.

The tourism spending in the first quarter of 2022 was 34.2% below the pre-pandemic levels of 2019.

• The GDP from tourism increased by 11.9% in the final quarter of 2021.
• Spending by Canadians was 85.8% of the total tourism spending in the first quarter of 2022.

There were 315,400 overseas tourists in Canada in May 2022.

• There were almost ten times more trips to Canada made by US residents in May 2022 compared to the year before and almost twelve times the number of overseas visitors.
• There were seven times as many trips to the United States by Canadian residents in May 2022 compared to the previous May.
• 593,200 Canadians flew to the United States in May 2022, which represents 73.6% of the trips by air recorded in May 2019. Overseas flights returned to 67.2% of the pre-pandemic levels in May 2019.
• 44% of Canadians feel confident welcoming tourists from overseas to their area, while 70% are happy to welcome tourists from other parts of Canada.

84% of Canadians believe tourism is important to the Canadian economy.

Before the Pandemic

In 2019, before COVID forced countries around the world to close their borders, Canada recorded a total of 32 million tourists, the ninth-highest number in the world. However, when looking at the number of tourists in relation to the population, Canada is 49th in the world with 0.85 tourists per resident. It ranked number one in North America.

Toronto and Vancouver were the most popular destinations in Canada among international travellers. In 2019, Toronto ranked 53rd and Vancouver 68th among the world’s most popular cities with 4.74 million and 3.4 million tourists respectively.

In 2019, there were 2.1 million jobs in the tourism-dependent industries and there were 232,000 tourism establishments.

During the Pandemic

Initially, in the first quarter of 2020, only 187,000 jobs were lost in the industry, but as the pandemic forced the borders to stay closed for much longer than initially thought, the second quarter of 2020 saw 581,000 jobs lost. By the end of 2020, there were 1.6 million jobs in the tourism-dependent industries.

The number of active tourism businesses fell by 9.9% in December 2020 compared to January 2020. This was over three times the overall contraction of the Canadian economy, which was 3.1% during the same period.

The aviation industry was one of the hardest hit, with the revenues from April to December 2020 declined by 89.9%. In the same period, accommodation revenues from hotel stays fell by 71.2%. Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver recorded the lowest occupancies in Canada and saw the biggest revenue drop at 90.8% representing a loss of $2.3 billion across the three cities.

Post Pandemic

In the first quarter of 2022, tourism’s share of the gross domestic product in Canada was 1.3% of the total. The gross domestic product from tourism was up by 0.9% and it was the fourth consecutive quarterly increase. Tourism spending increased by 50.7% in the last four quarters, but in the first quarter of 2022, it was still 34.2% below the pre-pandemic levels of 2019.

The growth in the first quarter was largely due to an increase in tourism spending by Canadians during domestic trips. This was up 2.9% compared to the final quarter of 2021. In the first quarter of 2022, tourism spending by international tourists was down by 6.9% compared to the final quarter of 2021. However, there had been a large increase in the number of overnight visitors from the United States and overseas in the final quarter of 2021 especially during the Christmas holidays.

The tourism sector has been steadily adding back over half a million jobs and the number of jobs in the tourist industry went up by a further 0.8% in the first quarter of 2022. However, the industry has struggled to fill these jobs and there were still 170,000 jobs unfilled by the end of the quarter.

Closer look at the tourism spending increases

GDP: The GDP from tourism increased by 11.9% in the final quarter of 2021. It was followed by a more modest increase of 0.9% in the first quarter of 2022. The biggest contribution to the tourism GDP came from the transportation services at 2.9%.

Employment: The number of jobs attributed to tourism has been steadily rising since travel restrictions were relaxed. The number of jobs rose by 4.8% in the fourth quarter of 2021 and by a further 0.8% in the first quarter of 2022. Travel services were the largest contributor with a 10.2% increase followed by transportation services (2.6%).

Domestic Tourism Spending: The amount Canadians spend on travel increased by 2.9% in the first quarter of 2022. The main contributors towards the increase were passenger air transport, and pre-trip expenses such as camping equipment, recreational vehicles and crafts and activities equipment. Spending by Canadians was 85.8% of the total tourism spending in the first quarter of 2022.

International Tourism Spending: Spending by international tourists was up by 116.4% in the last quarter of 2021. However, it well by 6.9% in the first quarter of 2022. The biggest contributor to the decline in the first quarter of 2022 was passenger air transport at 11.4% followed by accommodation services at 4.8%.

Tourism Statistics for May 2022

In May 2022, the number of international tourists in Canada continued to rise but was still not at the pre-pandemic levels of 2019. There were almost twelve times as many trips to Canada from overseas countries in May 2022 compared to May 2021. It was still less than half of the trips in May 2019. There were 315,400 overseas tourists in Canada in May 2022.

There were almost ten times more trips to Canada made by residents of the United States in May 2022 compared to the year before. The number of trips represented more than half (52.1%) of the trips taken in May 2019.

The number of visits from US residents in May 2022 was over 1.1 million compared to May 2021 when there were 113,500 trips made by US residents. In May 2019, there were 2.1 million trips to Canada from the United States.

Out of the American arrivals recorded in May 2022, 692,000 were by automobile and 43.7% of the trips were day trips. In May 2021, there were 105,000 trips by automobiles and 1.4 million in May 2019.

Visitor numbers from major markets in Europe and Asia continued to grow. In May 2021, there were 7,100 European visitors to Canada compared to 164,000 in May 2022. Trips to Canada from Asia went up from 8,500 to 72,700 during the same period.

The table below shows the numbers of overnight trips before the pandemic in May 2019 and post-pandemic in May 2021 and May 2022 and the year-on-year differences. We can see from the table that the numbers travelling from France and Mexico have recovered the best while travel from China, Japan and South Korea has been the slowest to recover.

Travelling abroad by Canadians

At the same time as travel to Canada increased again, Canadians started to travel more to the United States and overseas. In May 2022, there were 2.2 million trips to the United States by Canadian residents. In May 2021 there were 311,800 trips to the United States by Canadian residents, so the number of trips a year later was around seven times higher.

The majority of the trips, 1.6 million were by automobile and 58.5% of all trips were one-day trips. The number of Canadians travelling to the United States by air in May 2022 edged closer to the pre-pandemic levels. The 593,200 flights to the United States in May 2022 represented 73.6% of the trips recorded in May 2019. In contrast, only 28,200 Canadians were flying to the United States in May 2021.

The number of Canadians who resumed overseas travel has risen sharply from May 2021 until May 2022. In the previous May, there were only 51,400 overseas trips made by Canadians compared to 652,400 this May. The flights taken in May 2022 represent 67.2% of the flights taken in May 2019 and it was the highest monthly recovery so far.

Canadian views on travel and tourism

Since the return to a more normal life, Canadians are readier to welcome both Canadian and international visitors. 70% of Canadians welcome visitors from other parts of Canada, 48% are happy to welcome visitors from the United States and 44% felt happy to receive tourists from overseas.

In a survey on the importance of tourism to the Canadian economy, 84% of Canadians believe it is important. 82% said they believe Canadians travelling domestically is important for the economy, while 79% of the people responding to the survey said overseas tourists are important to the economy.

The travel industry is expected to reach its pre-pandemic levels by 2024 or by 2025 at the latest. While more people’s confidence in the safety of travel is returning to pre-pandemic levels, the growth can be slowed down by geopolitical events such as the war in Ukraine.

Conclusions

The global pandemic hit the tourist industry the hardest, and it has been slower to recover from the pandemic than other industries. However, as the confidence to travel continues to grow, the numbers have been increasing and are slowly getting closer to pre-pandemic levels.

Foreign tourism from France and Mexico has been quickest to recover, though still lacking behind pre-pandemic levels. The number of arrivals from Asian countries such as China, Japan and South Korea has been slow to pick up again.

Most Canadians see the tourist industry as important for the Canadian economy and the number of Canadians who feel happy to welcome tourists into their towns and cities is steadily increasing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most popular tourist destinations in canada, is the tourist industry in canada struggling to find new staff.

Post-pandemic, the tourist industry has struggled to find staff and at the end of the first quarter of 2022 there were 170,000 unfilled jobs in tourism.

Do Canadians feel tourism is an important part of the economy?

How many overseas tourists are in canada, is the tourism industry growing in canada after the start of the pandemic.

Statistics Canada

The World Bank

Destination Canada

Government of Canada

As Canadians, we grew tired of the tariff battles with the US and unfair practices of other partners. In July 2018, we decided to do something about it, starting to compile a list of Canadian products and services so you can rest easy knowing your dollars are having their maximum impact in the Canadian economy.

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The Biggest Travel Trends to Expect in 2024

By Condé Nast Traveller and Sarah Allard

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

If 2022 travel trends were all about a return to travel, then 2023 was the year we went further than ever before . Travelers took to the skies, rails, roads, and seas to cross off goals on their bucket lists with Arctic adventures, luxury yacht cruises , and even the first tourist trip into space.

In 2024, travelers will be putting what’s important to them front and center of their plans, valuing deeper experiences that leave a positive impact, time spent with loved ones, and wellness moments that last well after checkout. We’ll be choosing destinations carefully, slowing it down to enjoy the silence and the stars, indulging in our love of food in new and interesting places, and immersing ourselves in wellness practices that help us live longer.

These are the 20 travel trends likely to guide how we see the world in 2024.

A version of this article originally appeared in Condé Nast Traveller UK .

1. Astro tourism

What’s the trend? Astronomy, of course, is a field of study that has been around since the dawn of civilization, and the act of gazing up at the stars has long been a source of soul-soothing wonder. Today, the more society falls deeper into an ever-expanding virtual world, the more we feel a need to broaden our horizons in the real universe. Astro tourism is the act of traveling with the aim of catching sight of astronomical phenomena—disappearing to lands devoid of any pollution, crowds, and traffic, where we can focus solely on the skies above and while away hours gazing at the stars, planets, and constellations overhead.

Why will it matter in 2024? Increasingly, wellness-centric hotels and spas are creating the space for guests to gaze upwards, watching for comets, spying constellations, and identifying patterns in the glittering expanse. In the UK, Port Lympne has opened the Lookout Bubble, a glass dome allowing guests to sprawl out on king-sized beds and study the stars. Further east on the Arabian Gulf, Zulal Wellness Resort is surrounded by the expanse of the Qatari desert—the ultimate destination for pollution-free astromancy, with dedicated workshops and stargazing sessions for families and children looking to learn more about the cosmos.

Safari company Desert & Delta organizes trips for travelers looking to soak up the stars across Botswana and Namibia, where guests can sleep in tents at remote locations such as the Makgadikgadi Pans, one of the world’s largest salt flats, and spend nights with uninterrupted star vistas. Similarly, Tswalu is a South African safari camp with star beds set on a sleep-out deck in the Korannaberg mountains. And 2024 happens to be a big year for the skies, from mind-boggling eclipses to spectacular meteor showers.

Plus, scientists are predicting the best displays of the Northern Lights in 20 years, according to the Guardian , as we approach the next solar maximum (the sun’s peak of its 11-year activity cycle). — Olivia Morelli

2. Eco diving

What’s the trend? A rise in divers choosing their travel destinations based on the sustainability of the scuba centers , and having a more positive and regenerative impact on the ocean once there.

Why will it matter in 2024? In 2022, UK marine ecology charity The Reef-World Foundation found that 95% of divers wanted to book with sustainable operators, but struggled to do so. In response to this, the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (a.k.a. Padi) launched its Eco Center accreditation on World Earth Day in 2023, with the United Nations Environment Program and Reef-World itself. The steps required to earn this green status are so rigorous, including sharing evidence of conservation activities and a real reduction in environmental footprint, that Padi advised operators to allow at least 12 months to hit the criteria—taking us to Earth Day 2024.

After an initial figure of just 11 worldwide, there are now 100 accredited operators, and Padi has set a goal to reach 660 by 2030—a tenth of its membership. “South East Asia currently has the highest density (more than 20), along with the Caribbean ,” says Julie Andersen of Padi. So what does this mean for divers and their trips? “The type of conservation work done and reported on depends on the Eco Center,” Andersen explains. “Those in the Caribbean offer coral replanting programs, key for regenerating coastlines. In Baja, Mexico , they’ve developed citizen science courses, collecting data for whale conservation.”

There are also a number of new Padi courses being launched for any diver to take anywhere, including the Global Shark and Ray Census in August 2024, as well as the relaunch of the Coral Reef Conservation Specialty course before December. — Becky Lucas

3. Home swapping

What’s the trend? Increasingly, discerning travelers are looking to stay away for longer stretches, while the rise of remote jobs means that working and living abroad has never been more appealing. The catch? Forking out on hefty accommodation fees while you’re at it. Enter home swapping: the perfect solution to guarantee yourself a (free) home abroad while you offer up your own in exchange for weeks or even months at a time.

Charlie Hobbs

Maya Silver

CNT Editors

Why will it matter in 2024? As the cost of traveling continues to climb, home swapping is an affordable alternative to splashing out on expensive hotels or Airbnbs. And while the concepts of couch surfing and house exchanges have existed for decades, several slick new platforms are redefining what home swapping looks like today.

Twin City , which operates in cities like as Lisbon and Los Angeles , has curated a community of over 1,100 carefully vetted users in just eight months. For an annual subscription fee of about $189, members can find Twins to connect with through the platform, and are encouraged to exchange local recommendations for their city as well as their homes, enabling members to feel as if they’re swapping with a trusted friend rather than a stranger.

Meanwhile, Kindred , a home-swapping platform where members rack ​​up credits for each night that they exchange homes, raised $15 million in funding this year to expand operations across the US and Europe, and currently has more then 10,000 homes in over 50 cities. Members simply pay a cleaning and service fee for each stay, while the cost of the stay itself is free.

Travelers can skip out on membership fees entirely and head straight to TikTok, where Gen Z appears to be spearheading the home-swapping movement on social media. Inspired by the film The Holiday , trending tags #houseswap and #homeswap have garnered more than 23 and 20 million views respectively, with users utilizing the platform as a means to advertise their homes, discover like-minded peers to swap with, and document their adventures along the way. — Gina Jackson

4. Train stations are the new food destinations

What’s the trend? Train stations around the world are usually passed through as quickly as possible, having not been designed for commuters to stay and hang out. Nowadays, as travel delays increase and visitors want more local experiences, it pays for train stations to welcome travelers with shops, restaurants, and bars for them to explore. In an effort to create a more dynamic visitor experience, historic train stations are being revamped, with bespoke food and drink offerings as an integral part of the redesign.

Why will it matter in 2024? As train stations are renovated to accommodate more travelers and update old infrastructure, local restaurants and bars are being added to attract more customers. In 2023, the new Moynihan Train Hall in New York City became home to The Irish Exit, a bar from the team behind the acclaimed Dead Rabbit, and Yono Sushi by trendy BondST, plus outposts of beloved NYC restaurants Pastrami Queen and Jacob’s Pickles, with Mexican hotspot La Esquina coming soon. As part of its renovation, Toronto’s Union Station launched Union Market in May 2023 with favorite local food retailers Manotas Organics, Chocolatta Brigadeiro’s, Patties Express, and Kibo.

In the UK, Platform 1 , a new bar and restaurant, opened in November underneath Glasgow Central Station . The cave-like space, with its historic brick arches, serves street-food-style dishes and craft brews made in the on-site microbrewery, plus there’s an outdoor beer garden. Meanwhile, in Somerset, Castle Cary station is in the process of a revamp, with nearby hotel The Newt creating a creamery, cafe, and co-working space, which is set to open in 2024.

Also on tap for the next few years is the completed renovation of 30th Street Station in Philadelphia, with plans for a 20% increase in concession space that will focus on local purveyors. — Devorah Lev-Tov

5. Sports tourism

What’s the trend? Sports tourism has evolved in the past few years with a new generation of sports fan emerging, thanks to glossy TV documentaries ( Formula 1: Drive to Survive , we’re looking at you). Now, we’re taking our fandom out of the house and following a host of different sports in destinations across the world, planning trips that hinge around seeing games, races, and other activities in exotic locales, and extending trips on either side to see the sights too.

Why will it matter in 2024? A little event known as the Olympic and Paralympic Games anchors the 2024 sports calendar. It kicks off in Paris in late July and runs until early September , during which time more than a million tourists are expected to check in across the French capital. The games have inspired city-wide projects such as the €1.4-billion clean-up of the Seine, which, should all go well, will allow public swimming in the river for the first time in a century.

Elsewhere, the Tour de France starts in Italy for the first time, with competitors speeding off in Florence before heading to Rimini on the Adriatic coast and then north to the Apennines through Emilia-Romagna. New bike routes in the area have been released by tour operators such as Ride International Tours and Ride Holidays for cycling enthusiasts keen to join in the fun. — Sarah James

6. Coolcationing

What’s the trend? For the vast majority of folks, summer holidays used to be about following the sun, seeking the heat—watching the mercury climb and hitting the sands. With the intense, record-breaking temperatures of recent years, however, many are considering traveling in the opposite direction: booking "coolcations" in temperate destinations, which also benefit from being less crowded.

Why will it matter in 2024? It's official: 2023 is the hottest year on record . Little wonder that many travelers are thinking twice before booking literal hotspots like the South of France and Sicily, prone to heatwaves , in July or August. A survey for luxe travel network Virtuoso found that 82% of its clients are considering destinations with more moderate weather in 2024: destinations such as Iceland , Finland , and Scotland , according to Intrepid Travel , along with Latvia, which is surging in popularity. “We’re seeing an increase in those holidaying further north,” says Andrea Godfrey of Regent Holidays . “Scandinavia and the Baltics are both getting noticed more: They offer a more pared-back style of holiday but have some lovely beaches, forests, and lakes for both relaxation and adventure activities.”

Cooler temperatures are particularly well suited to family travel too. “We’re getting far more inquiries from families for destinations that offer summer sun, but also respite from the high temperatures being experienced in beach resorts across the Med,” says Liddy Pleasants, founder of family specialist Stubborn Mule Travel . “Kayaking in Norway, with its midnight sun, for instance, and cycling or hiking in Slovenia, which is also very good value.” — Rick Jordan

7. Gig tripping

What’s the trend? For years, athletes and wellness gurus were the big headliners at retreats. But rock stars are, well, the new rock stars of travel. Call it the Taylor Swift Effect. Destination concert business is up more than 50%, led mostly by Taylor Swift, says Janel Carnero, a travel advisor at Embark Beyond . In the US, tickets for Swift’s Eras Tour cost thousands and were still impossible to score. Music fans are realizing they can pay less and have a more memorable experience by seeing their favorite pop icons perform in say, Amsterdam or Milan . (Remember when everyone went to see Beyoncé early in Stockholm ?) Tours from performers such as Pearl Jam, U2, Doja Cat, and Madonna will anchor trip itineraries, while music festivals—Glastonbury sold out in less than an hour—will be major catalysts for travel.

Why will it matter in 2024? New music festivals, including Untold in Romania's Cluj-Napoca, are introducing travelers to less-popular destinations, says Alexandrea Padilha of Fischer Travel . And it’s no longer just about the music, says Carnero. “It’s the social aspect of sharing experiences with friends,” she adds.

Hotels and travel companies have taken note and are creating the equivalent of backstage VIP experiences for guests. Global adventure collective Eleven has recently introduced Music with Eleven. The program’s dedicated team of music-industry insiders (including Chris Funk, guitarist from the Decemberists) design custom itineraries that might include sitting in on a recording session at Flóki Studios, just outside the Arctic Circle at Deplar Farm in Iceland. And Rhythm & Sails  hosts musicians on its catamarans. The company’s music director, Anders Beck of the jam band Greensky Bluegrass, curates the line-up of artists who perform sessions onboard and in ports as you island hop around the Caribbean . — Jen Murphy

8. Resorts will help you biohack your health span

What’s the trend? Longevity is the latest wellness buzzword thanks to best-selling books such as  Outlive  and the hit Netflix documentary  Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones . Between 2021 and 2022, venture-capital investment in longevity clinics more than doubled from $27 million to $57 million globally, according to analysis from longevity research and media company Longevity.Technology. Now, the science of extending life and optimizing health has become the focus at hotels. Blue Zones retreats are the new boot camps, and even sybaritic resorts are offering the latest biohacks. Poolside vitamin IV, anyone?

Why will it matter in 2024? Since the pandemic, feeling good trumps looking good. “People have become aware of the critical importance of developing a more proactive, preventive approach to health on all levels,” says Karina Stewart, co-founder of Kamalaya , a wellness retreat in Koh Samui, Thailand . This means a new willingness to go beyond diet and exercise and embrace sci-fi-sounding bio-regenerative treatments such as ozone therapy and hyperbaric oxygen chambers, both on offer at Kamalaya's new Longevity House.

Luxury hotel brands are embracing the trend too. Six Senses Ibiza recently teamed up with biotech company RoseBar to offer guests full diagnostic testing. Maybourne Hotel Group is collaborating with wellness tech pioneer Virtusan to help guests boost performance. And Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea administers treatments such as stem cells and NAD+ (a.k.a. the fountain of youth) through its partnership with Next Health . At 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay in Kauai, guests are welcomed with a B12 shot and the resort’s new wellness-specific rooms come with recovery-boosting mod cons including infrared light mats. If the trend continues, the secret to longevity may be as easy as taking more holidays. — Jen Murphy

9. Peak season gets the cold shoulder

What's the trend? There’s been a dramatic recent increase in shoulder season travel to Europe’s most popular destinations (particularly France , Spain , the UK , and Italy ), which is set to continue in 2024. Luxury travel specialists Original Travel has launched new shoulder season itineraries to locations traditionally in demand during the summer—including the crystalline seascapes of Sardinia and Corsica—after seeing 14% more bookings for September 2023 than for August 2023. Pegi Amarteifio of Small Luxury Hotels of the World shares similar insights: “Comparing phone reservations in 2023 against 2019, we’ve seen a 33% increase for March to May and a 58% increase for September to November, a pattern reflected across our other booking channels too.”

Why will it matter in 2024? A combination of social, economic, and environmental factors is driving this trend into 2024. The cost of living crisis means a heightened focus on value. For 62% of respondents to Booking.com’s 2024 travel trends survey, this is a limiting factor for 2024 travel planning, so much so that 47% of respondents are even willing to take children out of school for cheaper off-peak travel. Shoulder season travel is also becoming more attractive due to rising temperatures, and more feasible due to flexible working. Layered on top of these practical considerations is an emotional motivation too: Travelers are craving authenticity more than ever, seeking a tranquil and local feel when abroad, rather than beaches that resemble a Where's Waldo? scene. — Toyo Odetunde

10. Private group travel

What’s the trend? The post-pandemic desire to gather friends or family and embark on a shared holiday experience shows no sign of abating. In fact, it’s on the increase in luxury travel, as people appreciate the benefits and savor the moment, from three-generation family groups to 50-something empty-nesters keen to rekindle life-long friendships. Just don’t take Succession ’s family outing to Tuscany as a role model.

Why will it matter in 2024? “While some predicted group travel would peak post-pandemic, we’ve seen it have a lasting, positive impact with private group bookings continuing to be a dominant trend,” says Tom Marchant of Black Tomato , for whom group travel now accounts for 30% of bookings. The company has just launched its See You in the Moment series to cater for the demand. It uses a mood board of over 35 experiences themed around key flash points, from The Meal (a backcountry feast served on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon , for example) to The Challenge (rafting down the Apurímac in Peru , perhaps), all designed to create lasting memories. For Scott Williams , meanwhile, multi-generational travelers are thinking big: Why take one house when you can take a whole estate, such as Meli on Paxos in the Greek Islands, which sleeps 17?

Other groups are taking to the water, with Red Savannah reporting an increase in bookings for Turkish gulets, Egyptian dahabiyas, and Indonesian phinisis. Scott Dunn have seen an increase in bookings amongst groups of friends, with 30% of respondents in a recent survey saying they were planning trips for 2024 that included ski trips to France, adventure travel in South and Central America, and beach breaks on Antigua and Barbados.

Empty-nesters are also a growing force, with groups of couples in their 50s to 70s hiring villas in the shoulder season for cultural weeks away, and all-female groups—mainly aged between 50 and 65—who are proactive in wanting to renew long-term friendships. “We had one repeat group that included several cancer survivors,” says Sarah-Leigh Shenton at Red Savannah. “A hammam afternoon in Turkey was a deeply bonding experience and they’ve since traveled to Jordan and Sicily together.” — Rick Jordan

11. AI aims to be your sidekick

What's the trend? Early last year, after OpenAI’s ChatGPT broke the record as the fastest-ever growing consumer app, travelers started playing around with AI chatbots to get inspiration on where they could go. More recently, major travel booking platforms have started to integrate AI chatbots into the booking experience. But if 2023 was the year of AI chatbots wanting to plan your trips , 2024 will be all about how AI aspires to be your travel sidekick. A wave of new AI-powered features and products aims to support travelers on the ground, all while raising concerns around the potential negative impacts as AI becomes more widely integrated with our travels.

Why will it matter in 2024? AI will start to make more real-time interventions in our travels in 2024. One practical example is live translation , which Samsung plans to launch on its 2024 Galaxy devices. Imagine calling somewhere you want to visit to get information without worrying about whether staff speak the same language as you. Another example is greater AI personalization in popular apps you already use. Uber’s CEO Dara Khosrowshahi has recently touted the company's increasing use of personalized AI algorithms , which will learn about your habits and make suggestions based on what you’re doing.

For the true early adopters, real-time travel interventions could also mean ditching your screen entirely and clipping a screenless personal translator and travel assistant to your chest. This is the unusual idea behind the new talking and projecting AI Pin from Humane , a start-up backed by investors including OpenAI’s Sam Altman, that promises to function a bit like the universal translator from Star Trek . Will anyone want to actually wear the pin or will it go the way of previously hyped devices such as Google Glass? It certainly raises a host of ethical questions about privacy and data protection. Yet the more that AI products successfully help in addressing on-the-go problems, the more travelers will come to rely on them too. — JD Shadel

12. Skip-gen travel

What’s the trend? Skip-gen travel describes when grandparents holiday with grandchildren, in other words, “skipping” a generation. “In the past few months, I've had around twice as many enquiries as usual for grandchild/grandchild bookings,” says Clio Wood, founder of family retreat company &Breathe . “There’s been a rising trend of grandparents taking their grandchildren away,” agrees Ollie Summers, head of sales at luxury travel operator Scott Dunn . “Often to places that have a sentimental meaning to them.”

Why will it matter in 2024? Several travel agencies have created itineraries to cater specifically for this demand in 2024. “Skip-gen safaris are emerging as a micro-trend from the UK, reflecting a niche traveler group now well established in the US luxury market,” says Liane Goldring of Mahlatini Luxury Travel . “The grandparents are usually in their 70s and still active enough to fully embrace a fully guided safari adventure.” Original Travel, meanwhile, has relaunched its Bonding Holidays Collection , featuring trips focused on discovering something new together, such as its 14-day Family Ranching itinerary in the American West. Some of this growth can be attributed to big-ticket lockdown promises coming to fruition. Now, parents are also keen to make the most of the time and childcare support of their typically retired parents. Plus, the global ratio of living grandparents to grandchildren is higher than ever, thanks to a combined increase in life expectancy and drop in the number of children per person. We’re even said to be living in the “the age of the grandparent.” Don’t expect this trend—or your grandparents—to slow down anytime soon. — Becky Lucas

13. Train travel gets glam

What’s the trend? Rising climate consciousness has fueled a rail travel revival, and so the luxury train niche is reaching new heights of popularity, extravagance, and ambition. Travel booking platforms are reporting growing demand for luxury rail trips , where the journey is, yes, the destination. In fact, new design-forward train lines increasingly rival the finest hotels for the culinary experiences and bells and whistles on offer.

Why will it matter in 2024? A new wave of rail lines and itineraries launching in 2024 puts an emphasis on deeper immersion into the culture and landscapes of the destinations, which are more and more off the beaten track. Responding to growing demand for luxury train travel among its user base, specialist platform Railbookers plans to launch arguably the most geographically extensive and expensive luxury train itinerary around. With prices per person starting at $113,599, the 80-day Around the World by Luxury Train voyage will cross four continents and 13 countries. Beginning in August, the slow journey will string together existing luxury rail trips including Canada’s Rocky Mountaineer from Vancouver to Jasper, and India’s Maharajas Express from Delhi to Mumbai.

In Asia, the previously paused Eastern & Oriental Express is making a grand comeback starting in February, with carriages getting an upscale revamp and its legendary route being retraced through Malaysia's landscapes. Meanwhile, Japan is a hot destination for its scenic train journeys such as the exclusive Train Suite Shiki-shima, which quickly closed applications for its 2024 trips due to demand.

And in Europe, six new train lines will commence or terminate in Rome under Accor's La Dolce Vita umbrella, with suites designed by starchitects Dimorestudio, building on the cultural legacy of the famous Orient Express . — JD Shadel

14. Restaurateur-owned hotels

What’s the trend? Restaurants and hotels are the two keystones of the hospitality industry. And naturally, the two are often intertwined on one premises. Until recently, though, most hotels weren’t started or owned by restaurateurs. Yet as food-focused travel keeps increasing, with people hankering for the next hot reservation and planning entire trips around engaging with a culture through its food, it makes sense that restaurateurs are adding hotelier to their personal bios—and ensuring their new properties have impressive food offerings. We’d be remiss not to mention Nobu, which began as a restaurant in 1994 and in 2013 launched its global hotel brand , as a harbinger of the trend.

Why will it matter in 2024? Just as design brands (RH, West Elm) have opened hotels in recent years, now restaurateurs are getting in on the action. In the US, restaurateur and 12-time James Beard award nominee Sam Fox has just launched the Global Ambassador in Phoenix, Arizona, with five restaurants. Santa Barbara’s Good Lion Hospitality is relaunching Petit Soleil , a Californian wine country boutique hotel, with a new bar and restaurant slated for next spring. The Lafayette Hotel & Club was debuted last summer in San Diego by Arsalun Tafazoli, founder of a local hospitality group that operates 16 bars and restaurants. The hotel has five restaurants and bars, with two more opening by the end of the year. In Dallas, Harwood International, which owns a dozen or so restaurants in the area, opened Hôtel Swexan in June.

In the St. Gallen region of Switzerland, two hotels were recently added to beloved restaurants: the revamped Mammertsberg  and  Gasthaus Traube . In Slovenia, AS Hotel is a new place to stay launched by Sebastijan Raspopović, son of chef Svetozar Raspopović-Pope of renowned restaurant Gostilna AS in Lublijana. Aside from a restaurant by Raspopović-Pope, the hotel also has an eatery by Michelin-lauded chef Ana Roš. Finally,  R48 , and its lauded Chef’s Table, was opened in Tel Aviv last spring by R2M Hospitality Group, which also runs restaurants CoffeeBar and Herzl 16. — Devorah Lev-Tov

15. Silent travel

What’s the trend? In an age of overstimulation, silence might be just what we need from our travels in 2024. Offering a chance to restore and reset, silent travel represents a more mindful kind of trip, one that doesn’t leave you needing a holiday to recover from your holiday. Silent meditation retreats are an increasingly popular wellness trend, but silent travel also encompasses secluded nature resorts, sleep retreats , quiet hotels , silent walking tours and even silent disco and concert experiences.

Why will it matter in 2024? Saturated with stress and screen time, many of us are looking for ways to disconnect. The silent walking trend that recently took TikTok by storm reflects a growing impulse to escape the noise of our tech-fueled lives and embrace the quiet, with promising implications for wellbeing. One 2015 study suggests silence may help to stimulate brain development, while another found that two minutes of silence during or after relaxing music increased the music's calming effects. With the Global Wellness Institute forecasting a 21% increase in wellness tourism in the next two years, what better counter to the chaos of our always-on lives than silence? Silent travel is also part of a move towards more sustainable tourism. Quiet Parks International , for example, offers unique nature experiences in dedicated quiet spaces, reducing noise pollution for the surrounding wildlife.

Silent travel opportunities abound in 2024. Kick off the year with a silent retreat in Portugal (with Innate ) or Italy (with Mandali ). More adventurous silent-seekers can trek the peaceful Japanese Kumano Kodo trail, or explore Finland’s Arctic landscape with a Silence & Nature Tour . For a tailor-made silent experience, Black Tomato’s Blink camp offers luxury accommodation in the world’s most remote settings, while its Get Lost program promises to help you find yourself by getting lost in a far-flung location. — Tasha Kleeman

16. Urban gardens

What’s the trend? Never mind the biophilic office and those pot plants you forget to water: Whole cities are going green as architects and planners create leafy microclimates amid the grey concrete to help keep us cooler, connect communities and even feed us.

Why will it matter in 2024? Having trees and gardens in our cities is a pretty good idea. King Nebuchadnezzar certainly thought so, which is why his Hanging Gardens of Babylon made it into travel’s first-ever bucket list—the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World—back in the 2nd century BC. Nowadays, planting trees creates much-needed shade, stores carbon, and increases biodiversity, but it also makes our cityscapes so much nicer.

While Valencia, an early adopter of urban greening with its 12km-long Turia Garden in 1986, is the 2024 European Green Capital, France is busy planting trees like there’s no tomorrow. Go to Paris for the 2024 Olympics and you’ll spot budding new forests growing in Place du Colonel-Fabien, Place de Catalogne, and in the Charonne district, while Bordeaux ’s Grandeur Nature project includes urban cooling islands, micro-forests, and rain gardens.

Meanwhile, on Cyprus—an island that experienced temperatures of 111°F in 2023—the new Salina Park opens in time for summer shade in the seaside city of Larnaca. In Brazil , Rio’s Hortas Cariocas is a groundbreaking achievement that will be completed by the end of 2024: the largest urban vegetable garden in the world, connecting 56 community gardens across favelas and schools.

And in London , the £1-billion Google building in King’s Cross will show just what can be done with one structure. Designed by Thomas Heatherwick, the “landscraper”—only 11 stories high but stretching out longer than the Shard is tall—is hoped to provide a blueprint for future urban projects: running along the rooftop is a multi-level garden, with wildflowers, lawns and decked seating areas, set with more than 55,000 plants and 250 trees. Can you dig it? — Rick Jordan

17. Back-of-house tours

What’s the trend? Greener hotels giving us a look behind the scenes to show us—not just tell us— they're sustainable. Not just a look-see at solar panels or composting, but experiential tours that help us appreciate why it matters to support socio-economic uplift through tourism. In South America, Blue Apple Beach invites visitors to get up close and personal with the community work it does in Colombia through its impact fund. Founder Portia Hart wanted more than token-gesture carbon offsetting, where locals themselves could decide how money was spent. In Africa, guests of the Bushcamp Company contribute to initiatives through the Luangwa Conservation and Community Fund. A popular excursion in Zambia is visiting the boreholes that are installed with outreach funds. Each pump provides fresh drinking water to hundreds of people a day, and visitors who spend time with those gathered get a very tangible insight into how such provisions funded by hospitality can literally change lives in regions most affected by a warming planet.

Why will it matter in 2024? Transparency is on the up as the European Union's Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive comes into force and greenwashing is coming close to being officially outlawed. A year of droughts, floods, and heatwaves also reminds us we need to make better-informed choices in our travel planning—and all the better if we can also get a crash course on the science and sociology of positive impact. Experiences that go beyond explaining responsible practices, but demonstrate a deep respect for communities on the climate-change frontlines and help make their challenges relatable to visitors are especially helpful. — Juliet Kinsman

18. Wild feasting

What’s the trend? Have you ever noticed how food always tastes better outdoors? But in today’s modern world, many of us are more used to eating a sandwich while staring at a screen. Wild feasting describes the trend for beautifully curated culinary experiences in natural environments with the incorporation of hyper-local and foraged ingredients. In Sweden , for example, you can tap into a network of do-it-yourself outdoor restaurants where you book a table in a scenic location, search for nettles, birch leaves, lingonberries, and trumpet chanterelles, and then cook them on an open fire according to a recipe card provided by a Michelin-grade chef.

Why will it matter in 2024? A greater range of wild feasting opportunities will give urbanites a chance to properly connect over food. Leading the way is Noah Ellis, founder of the UK's Nomadic Dinners . “Since launching in 2018, we experienced compounded year-on-year growth for our feasting and foraging experiences,” he says. In 2024, he will be hosting a new series of fire feasts, including one set among the bluebells. Also tapping into the zeitgeist is TikTok star Alexis Nikole Nelson (a.k.a. the Black Forager) who will publish a book about wild food in 2024. And don’t forget, 2024 is the last year you will be able to eat at Copenhagen ’s legendary, foraging-focused restaurant Noma before it turns into a test kitchen and closes to the public.

Another innovator is Holmen Lofoten’s Kitchen On The Edge Of The World series in the Norwegian Arctic Circle, where guests can participate in four nights of wild feasts cooked by top chefs. In 2024, these will include Lennox Hastie, José Pizarro, and Heidi Bjerkan. Ingunn Rasmussen, owner of Holmen Lofoten, says, “Now, as when we were little kids, gathering around a bonfire in the wilderness, sharing stories, and feasting under the stars in these magical, remote surroundings is one of the absolute highlights, both for our guests and for us.” — Jenny Southan

19. Plan-free travel

What's the trend? Saying no to endless scrolling to plan every inch of a trip, and saying yes to spontaneity instead. The power of the algorithm-spawned era of FOMO travel is waning, with those once secret spots made Insta-famous becoming tired and cookie-cutter, and the drive to plan a trip around them losing momentum. The rising counter movement is travel with no plans at all.

Why will it matter in 2024? The plan-free appeal is going one step further in 2024. Booking.com recently reported that 50% of UK travelers want to book a surprise trip in 2024, where everything, even the destination, is unknown until arrival. And it’s possible to do it via travel companies such as Black Tomato, whose Get Lost service offers customers the ability to simply select a preferred environment—polar, jungle, desert, mountain, or coastal—and leave its team to decide everything else. “While we launched Get Lost several years ago, post-pandemic we’ve seen a notable and rising uptick in bookings and enquiries,” says Black Tomato co-founder Tom Marchant.

Journee offers a similar surprise element, with travelers only finding out where they’re going at the airport. The service, which includes a full itinerary and access to a team via Whatsapp, is particularly popular with solo female travelers, while overall demand has grown so much that the London-based brand recently launched trips in the US. — Lauren Burvill

20. Frontier tourism

What’s the trend? To go above and beyond. Or below and under. As crossings of the tumultuous Drake Passage to Antarctica rack up millions of TikTok views and traffic jams form on Everest, canny travelers are seeking more individual, less obvious experiences that combine thrill-seeking with more meaningful self-empowerment.

Why will it matter in 2024? One person’s frontier is another’s backyard, of course, so frontiers are entirely subjective here. For some, this could mean being the first to camp under the stars in a remote landscape, or hike an ancient pilgrimage trail that’s been off the map for centuries. It’s still possible to bag a rare place on a Kamba African Rainforest Experience in the Republic of the Congo, being one of just 12 people to explore a game park the size of Belgium.

Black Tomato, meanwhile, is designing an intrepid new expedition to the remote Mitre Peninsula in Argentina, along with a trip in Peru navigating the Sacred Valley of the Incas by raft. “This sort of adventure goes beyond bragging rights and is more akin to self-empowerment and the gratification of pushing our own horizons,” says Black Tomato co-founder Tom Marchant. The Ultimate Travel Company is also heading to Peru, a country repositioning itself for luxury travelers, with stays at Puqio, its first tented exploration camp, in the remote Colca Valley in the Southern Peruvian Andes.

Wilderness camping is also pegging out fresh terrain in Kyrgyzstan, with yurt stays on the steppes trending for 2024, according to Wild Frontiers, as is Mongolia; while Albania, Mongolia, Pakistan and the Empty Quarter of Oman are all on the radar for an increasing number of travelers. And while the space-age pods of White Desert have already sold out for New Year’s Eve 2024 and 2025, latter-day frontiersfolk can take the path less traveled and explore the frozen continent’s southern coast (99 per cent of visitors go from South America to the northwest) with The Ultimate Travel Company’s new Ross Sea cruises, seeing the Ross Ice Shelf and Transantarctic Mountains. Don’t forget to pack your penknife. — Rick Jordan

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The top travel trends of 2023 (and beyond)

Changing travel patterns.

The rise in small group travel

Solo travel trends.

It's better to book ahead

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TravelSavers Canada shares predictions for top travel trends in 2024

December 12, 2023

Motivated by crossing items off their to-do lists, travellers will roam the world in 2024, prioritizing authentic, customized experiences in off-the-beaten-path locales.

Results of a new advisor survey from TravelSavers Canada forecast the top travel destinations and trends for next year as well as recommended must-have experiences.

Europe’s popularity will continue unabated, according to the advisors surveyed. Italy will be 2024’s top destination, with Portugal following closely behind. Alaska also broke the top five, and the Dominican Republic and Raya Riviera rounded out the list of top destinations. No surprise, as sun-and-sand spots continue to dominate year after year.

Exploring the unknown

Visiting lesser-known destinations was identified by Canadian advisors as a top emerging trend, and their forecasts for 2024’s trending locales range from first-place South Africa and second-place Vietnam to Japan, Eastern Europe and Morocco.

“People are increasingly eager for new adventures,” said Jane Clementino, senior vice-president and general manager of TravelSavers Canada. “They’re more excited than ever to spread their wings and try new things, whether it’s a new place, activity, or style of travel. They want the full experience.”

All-inclusive travel is the top trend for next year, as travellers crave extra value and ease of planning their vacations. River cruising and active/adventure travel also ranked highly in the survey. Multigenerational and family travel, along with small-group travel, are surging in popularity due to a desire to experience the world with loved ones.

Bucket-list travel is the number-one emerging trend, according to the survey, as travellers are converting their dreams into to-do lists. Personalized experiences and authentic travel made the top five as well, reflecting a heightened interest in cultural immersion tailored to the traveller’s preferences.

Off-the-beaten-path travel also ranked highly, along with AI-assisted travel planning.

“People are prioritizing travel and making moves to check the items off their bucket lists,” said Clementino. “They’re not waiting anymore. They’re working with travel advisors now to create their ideal vacations and build memories.”

Must-have experiences for 2024

When asked about must-have travel experiences for 2024, Canadian advisors recommended four styles of trips:

Immersive experiences

Discover firsthand how other cultures live. Connect with the nature, history and cuisine of the destination. Custom itineraries, longer stays and purposeful interactions all deepen the bond to the area.

With so much variety, cruises offer something for everyone. Ocean and river cruising both provide a taste of different destinations. Try sailing on a new ship to enjoy all the offerings and features. Upgrade the voyage with a suite or a premium or luxury sailing.

Enhanced vacations

Splurge on travel experiences that make a major difference to the enjoyment of the trip. Secure first-class air and expedited customs service. Treat yourself to a five-star hotel or spacious suite. Book private transfers, guided tours, yachts and jets.

Out-of-the-ordinary destinations

Visit sites such as Alaska’s glaciers, Machu Picchu and the Pyramids of Egypt while you still can. Experience pristine nature with an African safari, or Galapagos Islands or Antarctica journey. Discover different ways of life in places such as Southeast Asia and the South Pacific, even ones that might be out of a traveller’s comfort zone.

Top destinations for 2024

1. Italy 2. Portugal 3. Dominican Republic 4. Riviera Maya 5. Alaska Top Exotic Destinations 1. South Africa 2. Vietnam 3. Eastern Europe 4. Japan 5. Morocco

Top trends for 2024

1. All-inclusive travel 2. Multigenerational travel 3. River cruising 4. Family travel 5. Small-group travel

Top Emerging Trends

1. Bucket list/to-do trips 2. Off-the-beaten-path/exotic destinations 3. Personalized experiences 4. Authentic travel 5. AI-assisted travel planning

Advisors from TravelSavers agency affiliates in Canada participated in the survey between Nov. 8 and 27, 2023.

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1 hr 25 min

Top Canadian Travel Trends & Destinations for 2024 with Destination Canada, Frontiers North & Landsby Travel Trends with Dan Christian

In this episode, we set our compass north and uncover the many wonders of Canadian travel.  I’m joined by 3 remarkable trailblazers of Canadian tourism.  First we have Gloria Luree, the CMO of Destination Canada, who steers the national tourism narrative for our treasured country. Then we have John Gunter, CEO of Frontiers North, who crafts unforgettable tours to Churchill, Manitoba for travellers to experience polar bears and the northern lights, and we have Jason Sarracini, Founder of travel agency Landsby that focuses on authentic Canadian and indigenous travel & his  magazine called 'Northern Soul' that showcases these stories. Join us as we discuss, debate, and unfold Canada's travel trends and destinations for 2024.  This discussion is much more than a podcast for me—it's about the future of travel to and around this beautiful country that we are all proud to call home. We hope this conversation sparks your desire for a Canadian adventure! Season 3 Sponsors Propellic is the only integrated digital marketing agency focused exclusively on driving bookings for travel companies. If you’re looking to accelerate your direct bookings and decrease your cost per acquisition, we highly recommend that you get in touch with Propellic. They’re offering Travel Trends listeners a free marketing audit. Just mention the Travel Trends Podcast.  Visit Propellic.com   TravelAI is shaping personalized travel experiences through micro-segmentation and the power of AI.   For more details visit https://www.travelai.com/ New Travel Trends Episodes Every Wednesday. Check out Season 1 & 2. https://www.traveltrendspodcast.com/

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Earthquake maps show where seismic activity shook the Northeast today

By Lucia Suarez Sang

Updated on: April 5, 2024 / 7:51 PM EDT / CBS News

Residents across the Northeast were rattled by a  4.8 magnitude earthquake that shook  the densely populated New York City metropolitan area and much of the surrounding region on Friday morning. The U.S. Geological Survey was quick to release maps showing the spot where the quake was centered, in New Jersey, and the area where it was felt.

The USGS reported the quake occurred about 7 miles north of Whitehouse Station, New Jersey. It indicated that the quake might have been felt by more than 42 million people. There were several aftershocks later in the day, including one with a magnitude of 4.0.

People in Baltimore , Philadelphia , New Jersey, Connecticut, Boston and other areas of the Northeast reported shaking. Tremors lasting for several seconds were felt over 200 miles away near the Massachusetts-New Hampshire border.

The map below shows the seismic intensity of the earthquake. The map, which is mostly a lighter shade of blue, shows that the intensity was light to weak, depending on the distance from the epicenter. 

Another map released by the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre on X, formerly Twitter, highlights the eyewitness reports of shaking and possible damage levels during the seismic event. 

#Earthquake 18 mi W of #Plainfield (New Jersey) 23 min ago (local time 10:23:20). Updated map - Colored dots represent local shaking & damage level reported by eyewitnesses. Share your experience via: 📱 https://t.co/IbUfG7TFOL 🌐 https://t.co/wErQf69jIn pic.twitter.com/jBjVw1ngAD — EMSC (@LastQuake) April 5, 2024

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and New York City Mayor Eric Adams have been briefed on the quake. 

"We're taking this extremely seriously and here's why: There's always the possibility of aftershocks. We have not felt a magnitude of this earthquake since about 2011," Hochul said. 

People across the region were startled by the rumbling of the quake. One New York City resident told CBS New York's Elijah Westbrook, "I was laying in my bed, and my whole apartment building started shaking. I started freaking out," 

It's not the first time the East Coast and New York City have been hit by an earthquake. 

A 5.0 quake was measured in New York City in 1884. 

The shaking stirred memories of the Aug. 23, 2011, earthquake that jolted tens of millions of people from Georgia to Canada. Registering magnitude 5.8, it was the strongest quake to hit the East Coast since World War II. The epicenter was in Virginia.

That earthquake left cracks in the Washington Monument, spurred the evacuation of the White House and Capitol and rattled New Yorkers three weeks before the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terror attacks.

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Lucia Suarez Sang is an associate managing editor at cbsnews.com. Previously, Lucia was the director of digital content at FOX61 News in Connecticut and has previously written for outlets including FoxNews.com, Fox News Latino and the Rutland Herald.

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Your last-minute guide to Monday's total solar eclipse

A total solar eclipse will cross North America on Monday , offering millions a rare opportunity to see afternoon skies temporarily darken as the moon blocks the face of the sun.

Tune into NBC News NOW as Lester Holt hosts a two-hour special at 2 p.m. ET Monday from Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The eclipse's path fortuitously cuts across Mexico, 15 U.S. states and a small part of eastern Canada. In all other states in the continental U.S., viewers will be treated to a partial solar eclipse, with the moon appearing to take a bite out of the sun and obscuring part of its light.

Here’s everything you need to know about the rare celestial event.

What is a solar eclipse?

Solar eclipses occur when the sun, moon and Earth align. The moon passes between Earth and sun, temporarily blocking the sun’s light and casting a shadow on Earth.

A total solar eclipse is when the moon fully obscures the sun, whereas a partial solar eclipse means it blocks just a portion of the sun’s face.

Solar eclipses occur only with the new moon. Because the moon’s orbit around Earth is tilted, the three bodies don’t always line up in a way that creates an eclipse.

“Imagine if the moon’s orbit were in the plane of Earth’s orbit around the sun — if that were the case, then every new moon, you’d have a total solar eclipse and every full moon, you’d have a lunar eclipse,” Neil DeGrasse Tyson, director of the Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History, told NBC News. “So, because things don’t always align, it lends to the rarity of the event and the specialness of the event.”

Where and when will the eclipse be visible?

This year’s eclipse will follow a slightly wider path over more populated areas of the continental U.S. than other total solar eclipses have in the recent past.

NASA estimates that 31.6 million people live within what’s known as the path of totality, where the total solar eclipse will be visible. An additional 150 million people live within 200 miles of the path, according to the agency.

The path travels through Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. Tiny parts of Michigan and Tennessee will also be able to witness totality if conditions are clear.

After the eclipse crosses into Canada, it will pass over southern Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Cape Breton, at the eastern end of Nova Scotia.

Those outside the path of totality can still take part in the astronomical event by viewing a partial solar eclipse — visible throughout all 48 states of the contiguous U.S. — or a NASA livestream.

The timing, including how long totality lasts, depends on the location, but some spots will see the moon fully cover the sun for up to 4 minutes and 28 seconds.

Below is a list of timings for some cities along the path of totality, as  provided by NASA . A number of other resources, including NationalEclipse.com  and  TimeandDate.com , can also help people plan.

• Dallas: Partial eclipse begins at 12:23 p.m. CT and totality at 1:40 p.m.
• Little Rock, Arkansas: Partial eclipse begins at 12:33 p.m. CT and totality at 1:51 p.m.
• Cleveland: Partial eclipse begins at 1:59 p.m. ET and totality at 3:13 p.m.
• Buffalo, New York: Partial eclipse begins at 2:04 p.m. ET and totality at 3:18 p.m.
• Lancaster, New Hampshire: Partial eclipse begins at 2:16 p.m. ET and totality at 3:27 p.m.

How to safely view a solar eclipse

It is never safe to gaze directly at the sun, even when it is partly or mostly covered by the moon. Special eclipse glasses or  pinhole projectors  are required to safely view solar eclipses and prevent eye damage. Failing to take the proper precautions can result in severe eye injury,  according to NASA .

Eclipse glasses are thousands of times darker than normal sunglasses and specially made to enable wearers to look at the sun during these kinds of celestial events.

Sky-watchers should also never view any part of the sun through binoculars, telescopes or camera lenses unless they have specific solar filters attached. Eclipse glasses should not be used with these devices, as they will not provide adequate protection.

However, during the few minutes of totality, when the moon is fully blocking the sun, it is safe to look with the naked eye.

Beware of fake eclipse glasses. On legitimate pairs, the lenses should have a silver appearance on the front and be black on the inside. The manufacturer’s name and address should be clearly labeled, and they should not be torn or punctured. Check, as well, for the ISO logo and the code “IS 12312-2” printed on the inside.

If you don’t have eclipse glasses, you can make a homemade pinhole projector, which lets sunlight in through a small hole, focuses it and projects it onto a piece of paper, wall or other surface to create an image of the sun that is safe to look at. 

All you need is two pieces of white cardboard or plain white paper, aluminum foil and a pin or thumbtack. Cut a 1- to 2-inch square or rectangle out of the center of a piece of white paper or cardboard. Tape aluminum foil over that cut-out shape, then use a pin or thumbtack to poke a tiny hole in the foil.

During the eclipse, place a second piece of white paper or cardboard on the ground as a screen and hold the projector with the foil facing up and your back to the sun. Adjusting how far you hold the projector from the second piece of paper will alter the size of the image on the makeshift screen.

What to look for while viewing the total solar eclipse

For people along the path of totality, there are some fun milestones to keep track of as the total solar eclipse unfolds.

As the eclipse progresses and the sun gets thinner in the sky, it will start to get eerily dark, according to Tyson.

When the last beams of sunlight are about to become obscured, look out for the “diamond ring effect”: The sun’s atmosphere will appear as an illuminated halo, and the last light still visible will look like the diamond of a giant ring.

As the sunlight decreases even further, an effect known as Baily’s beads will be created by the moon’s rugged terrain. Tiny “beads” of light will be visible for only a few seconds around the dark moon, as the last bits of sunlight peer through the moon’s mountains and valleys.

When the moon is fully blocking the sun, it is safe to remove eclipse glasses and look at the total solar eclipse with the naked eye.

Some lucky sky-watchers may even catch a glimpse of a comet .

Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks — nicknamed the “ devil comet ” because an eruption last year left it with two distinct trails of gas and ice in the shape of devil horns — is currently visible from the Northern Hemisphere as it swings through the inner solar system.

The comet can be seen in the early evenings by gazing toward the west-northwest horizon. During the eclipse, when skies darken during totality, it may be possible to see the comet near Jupiter, but its visibility will depend on whether it’s in the middle of an outburst and thus brighter than normal.

Most likely, all eyes will be on the alignment of the moon and sun.

“Most people won’t even notice,” Tyson said. “But if you know to look, it’s there.”

When is the next solar eclipse?

The next total solar eclipse will be in 2026, but it will mostly pass over the Arctic Ocean, with some visibility in Greenland, Iceland, Portugal and northern Spain. In 2027, a total solar eclipse will be visible in Spain and a swath of northern Africa.

The next total solar eclipse visible from North America will be in 2033, but only over Alaska. Then in 2044, a total solar eclipse will cross Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, parts of Canada and Greenland.

The next total solar eclipse to cross the continental U.S. coast-to-coast in will occur in 2045. The path of totality for that eclipse will cut through California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia and Florida.

Denise Chow is a reporter for NBC News Science focused on general science and climate change.

Lucas Thompson is a content producer for the NBC News Climate Unit.

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Economic trends in North America

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