Overwhelmingly, Canadians want the space to enjoy travel without the negative impacts of overtourism – among them high prices, environmental damage, and noise – says a new survey commissioned by Flight Centre.
Seven in 10 Canadians (71%) who participated in the YouGov survey said they concerned about the impacts of overtourism, as evidenced by recent protests in Europe, including thousands of Canary Islands residents taking to the streets to call for tighter restrictions, better infrastructure and stronger protections for locals.
“Canadians are curious by nature, but they’re also conscientious,” says Nate Mosher of Flight Centre Canada. “They want to see the world without overwhelming it, and that often means taking the road less travelled.”
Survey insights
- Overcrowding: 78% of Canadians say that many travel attractions are too busy to fully enjoy
- Destination dupes: 81% would swap a popular destination for a similar spot that’s less crowded
- Tourist fees: 57% would be willing to pay a destination fee to support sustainable tourism efforts
- Anti-tourism protests: 53% agree that local anti-tourism protesters in heavily visited areas are right to believe that tourists should stop or reduce their travel there
“Responsible tourism doesn’t mean compromising on experiences,” says Mosher. “It means discovering unique places like Montenegro instead of Croatia or Sevilla instead of Barcelona, and doing it at the right time of year. You still get incredible memories, but with fewer crowds and more connection to the place you are visiting. And those small choices help make those destinations stay special for the people who live there – and for the travellers who will visit next”
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