Canadians spending less on travel, Gen Z an exception

Canadians are expected to travel less this summer as the cost of fuel stays high, but Alberta is a top destination for those that are looking for a vacation.

Canadians are expected to travel less this summer as fuel costs rise, but gen-Z will be an outlier.

A new study by TD shows one third of Canadians are planning to spend less on travel this summer, but younger Canadians have plans to hit the road.

Twenty-four per cent of gen-Z Canadians plan to increase their summer spending — more than any other demographic.

Hunter Bratt is wrapping up another year at SAIT and looking forward to a trip with a group of friends through Canada and the U.S. this summer.

“Either we all take one vehicle and we kind of plan our stays,” Bratt said.

“Maybe not so much the fancy hotels, but we’ll camp instead of a hotel or stay at hostels.”

The survey says social pressure is the main reason younger people are looking to travel. For Bratt, it’s a mix of influences.

“My parents and people around me are still egging me on as well … (saying) while we’re young to go out to the world. You know, when we get older, you’re kind of stuck in the corporate life.” Bratt said.

While Canadians as a whole are looking to travel less this summer, Onanta Forbes of Travel Time Inc, says it’s much more complicated.

“They do want to travel. What they’re looking at is maybe shorter trips instead of a week, five days, maybe staying home, a domestic travel versus going international to Europe or other places,” Forbes said.

From festivals to getting out in nature, Calgary stands to benefit from more Canadians vacationing in their own country, online travel website KAYAK says.

“It’s in the top three most popular domestic spots and actually in the top ten most popular destinations up there, alongside London and Lisbon,” said KAYAK Canada trends representative Adrienne Simic.

“People want to connect with their country and nature, and Alberta really has some of the most beautiful landscapes.”

Simic adds that late May to the middle of June is when Canadians will find the best value for domestic trips.