While nine in 10 Canadians are eager to take a vacation this year, 40 percent of them say that the stress of travel is discouraging them from doing so, according to a new survey from Blue Cross. And many others are taking measures to mitigate the risk.
According to the 2023 Blue Cross Travel Study, released this week, the top reasons for wanting to travel are good weather (44%), making new memories with loved ones (36%), and discovering new places or trying new things (34%).
However, with the joy of travelling sometimes subject to unexpected disruption, the study also shows most Canadians (89%) experience some form of stress while travelling, and four out of 10 say that travel stressors are preventing them from taking a trip.
Close to six in 10 travellers (58%) say they have experienced travel-related issues, including an airline cancelling or changing flights (24%), lost baggage (20%), damaged baggage (16%) or needing medical attention (13%).
With this in mind, many say they are actively seeking ways to minimize risk, including purchasing travel insurance. In fact, 42% of Canadian travellers say they are more likely to purchase travel insurance when planning a trip now than in the past and over one third (38%) report the top reason for buying travel insurance is being able to travel without worry.
“The value of travel insurance is two-fold: not only does it provide assistance while abroad, but it also provides peace of mind,” says Tim Bishop, Managing Director, Blue Cross of Canada. “Travel should be about the fun and excitement of a trip, not worrying about what could go wrong. With heightened travel risk due to the pandemic, Canadians are taking extra precautions to… make the most of their trips.”
Other survey results include:
• Escaping frigid winter temperatures for good weather is the top factor when choosing a vacation destination (55%).
• Only 9% of Canadians book their trips at the last minute (less than a week ahead)
• Most Canadians (89%) have at least one habit when planning a trip, including researching to find vacation deals or packages (44%), doing extensive research on the destination (37%), or creating a checklist of things to do at the destination (34%).
• 58% agree they would never consider leaving their province without travel insurance
“A strong sense of adventure is part of the Canadian spirit, and despite disruptions to the industry over the last few years, Canadians are keen to travel again,” says Bishop. “Knowing that there’s an element of risk with any travel plans, Canadians have rediscovered solutions to manage stress, including bringing along extra cash, having someone look after their home, and purchasing travel insurance.”
About the survey
The Blue Cross survey was conducted by Research + Knowledge = Insight, an independent research company. Fielded in November and December 2022 to a nationally representative sample of 2,186 adult Canadians, the survey has a margin of error of +/-2.0%, 19 times out of 20.