Club Med asks: When did free time stop being fun

Club Med has released its inaugural Club Med Free Time Report — new research exploring joy, curiosity and discovery in Canadians’ lives and what gets in the way of making room for more of it.

Conducted by Wakefield Research among 1,000 Canadian adults, the study reveals a striking tension. More than eight in 10 Canadians (81%) say they miss the sense of wonder they had as a kid more than the free time they had then, while 88% say obligations take priority over the things they want to do for enjoyment at least some of the time.

Club Med calls it the “Joy Gap”: the distance between wanting more fun, curiosity and discovery and making room for those experiences in everyday life.

The desire hasn’t disappeared. When Canadians do follow their curiosity, the payoff is overwhelmingly positive: nearly nine in 10 (88%) experienced at least one positive impact the last time they challenged themselves to try something new. And vacation may give curiosity more room, with 76% saying they’re likely to try an activity they’ve never done before on their next trip.

The research reveals a broader shift in how Canadians think about free time, trying something new and even luxury itself:

• We don’t just miss having more time, we miss wonder: 81% of Canadians say they miss the sense of wonder they had as a kid more than the free time they had then, while 88% say obligations take priority over enjoyment at least some of the time. The tension isn’t simply a shortage of free time; it’s what’s missing from it.
• Curiosity is still there and travel may unlock it: 88% experienced at least one positive impact the last time they challenged themselves to try something new, and 76% say they’re likely to try an activity they’ve never done before on their next vacation. Adults haven’t lost their appetite for discovery; they may simply need the right environment to act on it.
• Trying something new can feel like too much of a commitment: 81% have activities they’d like to try but haven’t because the cost of trying them or getting the necessary gear feels too high when they aren’t sure they’ll enjoy them. Interest isn’t always the barrier; access and commitment can be.
• Freedom is the new luxury: 92% agree that luxury while traveling means the freedom to do what they want, when they want, while 73% prefer an open-ended vacation with opportunities for exploration or spontaneity. The Joy Gap isn’t only about finding time for enjoyment. It’s also about having the freedom to discover what brings us happiness. And increasingly, enjoying our time on our own terms is becoming a luxury in itself.

Together, the findings reveal that the Joy Gap goes beyond how much free time Canadians have. Curiosity and the desire for new experiences remain strong, but everyday obligations, expectations and practical barriers can get in the way. Creating more opportunities to play, explore, connect and enjoy the unexpected may be just as important as finding the time itself.

Carolyne Doyon, President and CEO of Club Med North America and the Caribbean, explained that: “Club Med was created for happiness, and more than 75 years later, our research suggests people are still struggling to make room for it. Our curiosity hasn’t disappeared, and neither has our desire to experience something new. But somewhere along the way, we’ve lost some of the spontaneity and playfulness that once came so naturally. Through The Art of Free Time, we hope to inspire people to rediscover that sense of wonder, embrace the unexpected and make more room for the moments that bring them joy.”

The Club Med Free Time Report launches alongside The Art of Free Time, Club Med’s new global platform celebrating a lifestyle rooted in freedom, joy and possibility.

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Photos courtesy Club Med