Canadians Craving Winter Getaways, But Cost Concerns Are Changing Travel Plans: Survey

Canadians are eager to escape this winter, but the rising cost of travel is forcing many to rethink how much they’re willing to spend — and whether they can afford a vacation at all.

A new survey conducted by Ipsos on behalf of Allianz Global Assistance Canada finds that 41 per cent of Canadians are planning a winter getaway, with nearly three-quarters (72 per cent) of those travellers admitting they’re in desperate need of a vacation.

But while the desire to travel remains strong, financial pressures are influencing everything from vacation budgets to destination choices.

Among Canadians not planning a winter trip, 66 per cent say they either don’t have the money or don’t want to spend it on travel. Another 30 per cent cite the expense of taking a vacation as a reason for staying home.

Even those who are packing their bags are making sacrifices.

According to the survey, 66 per cent of Canadian travellers are cutting back on non-essential spending to afford their vacations, while half say they’re scaling back their winter travel plans.

Interestingly, that doesn’t mean luxury is off the table.

One-third (33 per cent) of Canadian travellers say they plan to spend more on luxury travel experiences this winter, suggesting that some consumers are still willing to splurge despite broader concerns about affordability.

Boomers Lead Winter Travel Spending

The survey also reveals a significant generational divide when it comes to vacation budgets.

Canadian travellers expect to spend an average of $2,592 on their winter vacations, but Boomers are planning to spend considerably more than their younger counterparts, the survey found.

Boomers anticipate spending an average of $4,306, compared with just $1,790 among Gen Z travellers.

Gen X respondents expect to spend $2,490, while Millennials are budgeting an average of $2,061.

The findings suggest that while younger Canadians may be watching their wallets more closely, older travellers are prepared to invest substantially more in their winter escapes.

Safety & Global Tensions Raise Concerns

Cost isn’t the only factor weighing on Canadian travellers.

Potential flight delays and cancellations top the list of travel-related concerns, with 62% of respondents planning a winter trip expressing worry about disruptions to their journeys.

Safety and security concerns, along with global geopolitical tensions, follow closely at 61% each.

Extreme weather and the possibility of falling ill while travelling are also significant concerns, each cited by 55 per cent of respondents.

Other worries include lost or delayed luggage (54 per cent), public health conditions (54 per cent) and medical emergencies (51 per cent).

AI Finds Its Place in Vacation Planning

Artificial intelligence is also becoming part of the travel planning process.

According to the survey, 41 per cent of Canadian travellers say they have already used or intend to use AI to help plan their vacations.

The findings point to growing interest in AI-powered tools as consumers explore ways to research destinations, organize itineraries and make travel decisions.

Meanwhile, Canadians are also showing an interest in bringing more of home along for the journey.

Nearly three in ten travellers (29 per cent) say they prefer to include their pets when travelling.

The only survey was conducted between September 25 and October 9, 2026.

It included 1,001 Canadian adults aged 18 and older, including respondents planning to travel this winter and those who are not.