As the dollar dips to a 14-month low, some travellers are staying closer to home. Many more are choosing destinations where their money goes further — even if it means flying halfway around the world.
According to a new Flight Centre Canada survey1 conducted by YouGov, affordability is now the leading factor influencing destination choice. Nearly half of Canadians (49%) say overall cost matters most when planning a trip — more than safety (20%), geopolitical concerns (10%), flight reliability (5%) and entry requirements (4%) combined.
The shift is showing up in booking data. At Flight Centre Canada, total transaction value (TTV)2 is up in Japan (+52%), Cambodia (+50%), Vietnam (+42%) and China (+20%) — destinations that offer world-class food, culture and experiences alongside favourable exchange rates and lower day-to-day costs.
“A trip to Asia is no longer a ‘someday’ proposition for many of our travellers, and it’s all driven by value,” says Anita Emilio, executive vice president for Flight Centre Canada. “Canadians are looking beyond airfare and thinking about what their money buys once they arrive. They’re realizing they can experience the Great Wall of China, beaches in Bali or street food in Vietnam while spending less than they would on more traditional bucket-list vacations in Europe.”
Value now goes beyond airfare
Nearly three-quarters of Canadians (74%) expect rising fuel costs or flight changes to affect their ability to travel this summer, while 61 per cent say higher prices will have the biggest impact on their plans. Thirty-one per cent are booking earlier to secure better rates.
“Travelling to Asia is a great way to stretch your budget further,” says Emilio. “Though flights may cost more up front, you’ll often spend significantly less once there on hotels, food, tours and experiences. If you have the time to stay two weeks or longer, you’ll see exceptional value.”
Cost isn’t the only factor shaping travel decisions. Nine in 10 Canadians say global events have influenced how they travel, but affordability remains the biggest driver of where they ultimately choose to go.
A growing sense of adventure
Previous Flight Centre research3 also found that 78 per cent of Canadians define adventure travel through discovery, including experiencing different cultures, trying new foods and exploring unfamiliar destinations. Four in 10 (40%) see East or Southeast Asia as one of the world’s more adventurous regions.
Europe remains a favourite for many Canadians, but value is reshaping where they go next. Canadians are willing to fly farther if it means getting more for their vacation budget once they arrive, making Asia one of the fastest growing opportunities for outbound travel.
