The new year has gotten off to a tumultuous start as Canadians face an uncertain political and economic future, but that doesn’t mean travel will take a backseat. Instead, Flight Centre predicts that Canadians will need a break more than ever from the relentless news cycle and pace of modern life.
But rather than jetting off to the world’s buzziest vacation spots or racing to check items off a bucket list, a Flight Centre survey conducted by YouGov suggests that 61% of Canadian travellers will prioritize slow and restful travel in 2025. That means choosing destinations away from crowds, opting for slower paced itineraries that highlight life’s simple pleasures, and leaving plenty of time to recharge, reflect, and refocus priorities.
“Soft travel, or the ‘calm-cation,’ looks different for different people,” says Ryan Bond, Travel Expert at Flight Centre Canada. “It puts the emphasis on mental and physical well-being so you return from your vacation with renewed energy and purpose.”
There are many ways that Canadians can embrace the “soft travel” movement:
- Visit Healing Locales: A whopping 76% of Canadian travellers crave peace away from crowded destinations. This preference holds for every age group: Gen Z (81%), Millennials (80%), Gen X (77%), Baby Boomers (75%) and Silent Gen (75%). Discover quiet havens steeped in nature and community, not other tourists, such as the serene forests and beaches of Haida Gwaii, British Columbia or the volcanic craters of Açores, Portugal.
- Find Balance: More than 3 in 5 (61%) of Canadian travellers say travel is extremely or very important to their mental health and overall wellbeing. Reset mind, body and spirit by touring the Euphoria Retreat in the mountains of the Peloponnese, Greece or the historic monastery turned wellness retreat, Le Monastère des Augustines, Québec City.
- Indulge in Beauty Sleep: Enjoying a restful vacation is especially important for Zillennials (Gen Z, 80%; Millennials, 76%), people with children (77% vs. people without children, 53%) and people who work (69% vs. people who don’t work, 48%). Combat stress and sleep disturbances by booking at a secluded riverside eco-lodge with stargazing suites in Trout Point Lodge, Nova Scotia or escape to Masseria Moroseta, Italy, a stylish farmhouse in Puglia designed for slow living, featuring minimalist decor and quiet countryside views.
“In an uncertain world, Canadians are searching for meaning,” Bond says. “Travel provides the opportunity to take a break from day-to-day life and focus on what really matters: taking care of our bodies and minds, savouring the moment with the ones we love, and making a positive difference in our global community.
“At Flight Centre, we take care of the details so you can enjoy the journey. That way you can feel rejuvenated by your adventures, able to take on whatever life throws your way.”
Need a break? Flight Centre can help you plan a purpose-filled vacation that’s big on rest and low on stress. The world is hard. Let your vacation be soft.
