WHERE CANADIANS ARE GOING WHEN THE WEATHER IS FINE

Now that the weather is fine and people have travel on their mind, online travel retailer CheapOair.ca is sharing its insights into summer travel trends and favourite destinations for Canadians – including a shock international No. 1.

Based on its comprehensive travel trend monitoring of web site bookings between June 1 and Aug. 31, here is what CheapOair.ca found:

Key insights

• Backyard travel to domestic destinations continue to lead the charge, possibly driven by the high international currency conversion and more cost-effective flight options.

• Star-struck travellers are flocking to popular US locations with frequent direct flights and well-known attractions, in particular New York and Los Angeles.

• Surprisingly, Manila has grown to become the No. 1 destination outside of Canada, perhaps reflecting this country’s fast-growing Filipino community.

• Furthermore, European destinations that are rich in culture and history are entering the top 20 this year and seeing significant bookings, particularly Rome, Athens and Lisbon.

And here are the top summer destinations Canadians are bookings:

Domestic

1) Toronto
2) Calgary
3) Vancouver
4) Montreal
5) Edmonton
6) Halifax
7) Winnipeg
8) Ottawa

1) New York City
2) Los Angeles

International

1) Manila
2) London
3) Beirut
4) Paris
5) Cairo
6) Rome
7) Athens
8) Lisbon
9) Delhi
10) Istanbul

“We are excited to see the variety of new locales and popular local destinations that made our 2023 Top Summer Travel List,” said CheapOair.ca Sr. Product Manager Daniel Hayter. “Seeing international destinations such as Manila become our No. 1 destination outside of Canada as well as seeing Athens and Lisbon make the list shows that Canadians are embracing further locales, while popular metropolitan cities such as Toronto and New York continue to lead for North American travel.”