Allianz Global Assistance tracks 2026 Canadian winter vacation trends
Canadians are ready to travel again after a year of economic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions.
In its newly released Winter Vacation Confidence Study, Allianz Global Assistance Canada (Allianz) found that nearly half of Canadians (46%) are confident they will take a winter vacation this year. That’s a significant increase – up 11 percentage points from last winter – and signals that winter getaways are once again top of mind for many Canadians.
Allianz’s annual survey, now in its ninth year, shows that confidence is particularly strong among younger Canadians. Millennials lead the way with 52% planning a winter getaway, followed closely by Gen Z at 48% and Gen X sits at 46%.
At 37% confident, Boomers remain the most hesitant to travel. However, their desire to escape Canada’s winter is making a considerable comeback, improving 11 percentage points compared to last year and contributing significantly to the broader rebound.
Families are also driving this resurgence, with 56% of those with children at home planning to travel this winter compared to 42% of those without kids.
Overall, these numbers represent a return to pre-pandemic norms.
Travel over the holiday season is also showing a dramatic return. Nearly one-third of Canadians (32%) plan to travel outside of their home province in late December, almost doubling last year’s figure of 17%. Younger generations and families are leading this trend, with 46% of households with children planning holiday travel compared to 27% without.
When it comes to destinations, Canadians are split between warm-weather escapes and local adventures this winter season. Mexico and the Caribbean top the list at 30%, followed closely by domestic travel at 29%. The U.S. and Europe each account for 14%, while 13% plan to explore other international destinations.
Compared to last year, domestic travel plans have grown slightly, while U.S. travel is declining. Boomers are a key contributor to this trend, with only eight per cent planning to visit the U.S. on their next trip (down 19 percentage points from last year), with their eyes set instead on travel within Canada (39%) and to Mexico and the Caribbean (28% — up nine percentage points from last year).
Dan Keon, Vice President of Marketing & Insights at Allianz Global Assistance Canada, observed: “We’re seeing a clear resurgence in Canadians’ desire to travel, especially among younger generations. After a challenging year of economic pressures and geopolitical uncertainty, Canadians are prioritizing time away. With this renewed confidence, it’s more important than ever to protect vacation plans with travel insurance.”
Comprehensive travel insurance offers peace of mind by covering unexpected events such as trip interruptions, medical emergencies abroad and flight cancellations – ensuring Canadians can enjoy their vacations without worry. As Canadian travellers prepare for their winter getaways, Allianz encourages them to make travel insurance an essential part of their plans.
Said Keon: “Travel is an investment in experiences and memories. Protecting that investment is critical, especially in today’s unpredictable travel environment.”
Go to https://www.allianz-assistance.ca/en_CA.html for more.
