Nearly half of Canadians are expressing intentions to take a vacation in the next six months, as indicated by a recent Canada Pulse Insights survey. The poll reveals that 49 percent of respondents plan to embark on one or more vacations before April 2027, which includes trips during March Break. Conversely, 51 percent have not made any vacation plans for this timeframe.
Among those who are planning to travel, a significant 30 percent are inclined to visit destinations in Mexico, Central America, or the Caribbean. Domestic travel options are also prominent, with 22 percent opting to visit another province or territory within Canada and 21 percent planning to stay within their own province or territory.
European destinations are on the agenda for 17 percent of vacationers, while 16 percent are considering the United States. Additionally, 14 percent expressed interest in traveling to Asia, which includes Southeast Asia. A breakdown of the data shows that 29 percent of Ontario residents planning a vacation are looking towards Mexico, Central America, or the Caribbean, compared to just 17 percent who have their sights set on the United States. This reduced interest in U.S. travel is occurring amid heightened tensions between Canada and the U.S., which include trade talks and tariff disputes.
Alberta, B.C. Lead in Vacation Planning
Vacation intentions show a marked variation by region, with the highest percentages in Alberta and British Columbia. In Alberta, 57 percent of residents plan to take a vacation, while 55 percent of British Columbians share that intention. Ontario ranks third with 49 percent, followed by Quebec at 45 percent and Atlantic Canada at 32 percent, reflecting a diverse range of travel aspirations across the country.
Household income appears to influence vacation plans significantly. A mere 24 percent of Canadians in households earning less than $50,000 intend to take a vacation, compared to an impressive 73 percent of those from households with incomes of $150,000 or more. This stark contrast highlights the impact of economic factors on travel intentions.
Age demographics also reveal distinct patterns in vacation planning. Among Canadians aged 18 to 34, 55 percent plan to travel, whereas only 44 percent of those aged 55 and older express the same intention. This suggests that younger Canadians are more inclined to explore leisure travel opportunities in the upcoming months.
Continued Popularity of Domestic Travel
The poll indicates that many Canadians still favor domestic travel destinations. In fact, 41 percent of vacation planners from Atlantic Canada expect to visit another province or territory, while 42 percent plan to explore locations within their own province. In Ontario, the numbers reflect a lower but still significant interest, with 20 percent planning to travel to another province and 18 percent opting for local exploration.
Interest in the United States varies by province; 20 percent of vacation planners in Alberta have the U.S. in mind, while 19 percent in Saskatchewan-Manitoba plan to visit. In British Columbia and Ontario, the interest rates are 17 percent, while 13 percent of Quebec respondents and only 5 percent in Atlantic Canada are considering travel to America.
The survey was conducted online from October 1 to 8, 2026, with a sample size of 1,531 Canadian adults. The results were weighted to align with Statistics Canada population estimates. The margin of error for a comparable probability-based random sample of this size is plus or minus 2.5 percentage points, 19 times out of 20. It should be noted that the findings reflect travel intentions rather than confirmed bookings, and respondents were allowed to select multiple destinations, leading to a total percentage exceeding 100 percent.
