Canadians have been busy this past year, and it’s taken them across the land and sea in search of adventure, sun, and romance. To uncover the top travel trends of the year – and its most unique bookings – Flight Centre Canada dug deep into 2023 booking data. Here’s what they found.

“One-third of Canadian travellers stayed close to home, while the remaining two-thirds broadened their horizons on journeys abroad,” shares Chadd Andre, Executive VP for Flight Centre Canada. “Whether it’s in a bustling city with friends, a pristine beach with a loved one, or a charming village solo, Canadians were embracing a fresh perspective of the world!”

From babies taking flight to mysterious trip-stacking adventures – here’s the low-down on Canada’s Top 10 Year in Travel:

1. Babies on Board: Who says travelling is just for adults? Flight Centre booked flights for 403 babies and their parents or guardians.
2. Largest Group Booking: An impressive 160 jetsetters headed to Punta Cana for some epic dream vibes. Turns out life is better with friends!
3. The 4-Star Experience: This year, half of all hotel bookings (50%) were for 4-star properties – because who doesn’t love premium offerings!
4. Record-Breaking Stay: One Flight Centre traveller set a record, enjoying a hotel stay for an impressive 40 days! The destination? A sun-soaked paradise, of course.
5. Ahoy Matey: The ultimate cruise booking hit a whopping $339,732 proving that some Canadians have an insatiable appetite to explore the world. While most Canadians opt for balcony staterooms (35%), it looks like some are living the high seas life.
6. Romance in the Air: Nearly half of Canadians (41%) packed their bags for romantic getaways! From sultry city escapes to sunny seaside sojourns, Canadians are seizing quality time with that special someone.
7. Seeking Sunshine Abroad: Majority of Canadians (74%) chased the sun, jetting off to Caribbean hotspots like Mexico, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and Cuba.
8. Farthest Destination: Travellers embraced the chill factor, journeying to Longyearbyen in Norway’s Svalbard archipelago – well within the Arctic Circle.
9. Economy is King: Despite a collective disdain for reclined seats, economy still reigns supreme. Across international (90%) and domestic (94%) flights, economy made up the majority of cabin class bookings.
10. Most Complex Flight: While most travellers opted for the straightforward journey, a few embraced complexity, realizing the dollars that can be saved by opting for multi-stop flights. The most intricate itinerary included an epic nine-leg journey, taking one globetrotter from Toronto to Vancouver and on to Brisbane, Bali, Singapore, Chiang Mai, Bangkok, San Diego, Portland, and back to Vancouver before heading home to Toronto.