Canadians continue to shift travel priorities in 2026

The shift continues.

With the latest data from Statistics Canada showing that Canadian travel to the U.S. continued to decline in January, it also revealed that overall international travel by Canadians increased by 11.1%.

That trend builds on a 28% decline in travel to the U.S. in 2025 and aligns with a new consumer report from Flight Centre Canada suggesting the shift may continue.

According to a national YouGov survey, 62% of Canadians say they are less likely to visit the U.S. in 2026 compared to last year — signaling a pullback that appears increasingly structural rather than seasonal.

However, what hasn’t changed is Canadians’ desire to travel, only how they are deciding where to go.

Chris Lynes, Managing Director of Flight Centre Travel Group Canada, explained that: “Over the past year, we’ve seen a redistribution of Canadian travel spending. While U.S. travel has softened, outbound travel to other international destinations and interest in domestic trips has strengthened. If sustained, this could permanently reshape where Canadian travel dollars flow.”

The report offers insights in a number of areas, including:

U.S Travel Comfort Has Eroded

• The U.S. is no longer the default destination as six in 10 Canadians (62%) say they are less likely to visit in 2026 compared to last year. Only 8% are more likely to visit.
• The top factors affecting the decision are political/cultural climate (57%), border hassles/ travel restrictions (53%), safety/security concerns (46%) and cost/exchange rate (44%).

Canada and Europe Come Out on Top

• Canada ranks as the top destination of the year with 37% of Canadians placing it in the number one spot on their travel wishlists.

Confidence in Europe surges with one in four Canadians (25%) slotting it into their top travel spot, making it the second most desirable location for 2026. Mexico and Asia each garner 9% of the vote.

• It’s About Values and Value
• For 86% of Canadians, travel feels different this year with nearly six in 10 Canadians (58%) saying cost will ultimately determine where they travel. Still, 20% say they are willing to pay more to travel within Canada to support local jobs.

These mindset changes signal a new era of Canadian travel — one driven by purpose, ease and value. In 2026, that means staying close to home with adventures in Banff and Lake Louise, zipping to Europe to explore alternative destinations like Croatia, the Azores and Italy’s Sardegna and Umbria regions, or stretching the Canadian dollar further in Asia, the top destination of the year for 15% of Gen Z.

Canada Strong: A National Travel Mindset for 2026 and Beyond is a report commissioned by Flight Centre Canada based on a YouGov survey of more than 1,000 Canadians.

Go to www.flightcentre.ca for the full report.