Tariffs, Trump, an election – 2025 has has gotten off to a tumultuous start as Canadians face an uncertain political and economic future. But, according to Flight Centre, Canadians are still eager to travel – albeit with a new priority: simplicity, connection and escape from the relentless news cycle and pace of modern life. Or put another way, “prioritizing peace over politics.”

Rather than jetting off to the world’s buzziest vacation spots or racing to check items off a bucket list, a Flight Centre survey conducted by YouGov suggests that 61% of Canadian travellers will prioritize slow and restful travel in 2025. That means choosing destinations away from crowds, opting for slower paced itineraries that highlight life’s simple pleasures, and leaving plenty of time to recharge, reflect, and refocus priorities.

“Soft travel, or the ‘calm-cation,’ looks different for different people,” says Ryan Bond of Flight Centre Canada. “It puts the emphasis on mental and physical well-being, so you return from your vacation with renewed energy and purpose.”

According to Flight Centre, there are many ways that Canadians can embrace the “soft travel” movement:

• Visit healing locales: A whopping 76% of Canadian travellers crave peace away from crowded destinations. This preference holds for every age group: Gen Z (81%), Millennials (80%), Gen X (77%), Baby Boomers (75%) and Silent Gen (75%). Discover quiet havens steeped in nature and community, not other tourists, such as the serene forests and beaches of Haida Gwaii, B.C., or the volcanic craters of Açores, Portugal.
• Find balance: More than 3 in 5 (61%) of Canadian travellers say travel is extremely or very important to their mental health and overall wellbeing. Reset mind, body and spirit by touring the Euphoria Retreat in the mountains of the Peloponnese, Greece, or the historic monastery turned wellness retreat, Le Monastère des Augustines, Québec City.
• Indulge in beauty sleep: Enjoying a restful vacation is especially important for Zillennials (Gen Z, 80%; Millennials, 76%), people with children (77% vs. people without children, 53%) and people who work (69% vs. people who don’t work, 48%). Combat stress and sleep disturbances by booking at a secluded riverside eco-lodge with stargazing suites in Trout Point Lodge, N.S., or escaping to Masseria Moroseta, Italy, a stylish farmhouse in Puglia designed for slow living, featuring minimalist decor and quiet countryside views.

“In an uncertain world, Canadians are searching for meaning,” Bond says. “Travel provides the opportunity to take a break from day-to-day life and focus on what really matters: taking care of our bodies and minds, savouring the moment with the ones we love, and making a positive difference in our global community.”

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