As Canadians gear up for their 2025 vacations, travel platform Skyscanner has revealed a surge in interest for unique and immersive experiences, shifting away from traditional tourism. According to Laura Lindsay, a Skyscanner travel expert, “Canadian travellers are looking to embark on more communal and immersive adventures,” with a focus on creating lasting connections through shared experiences.
Based on research from OnePoll x Skyscanner, which surveyed 20,000 respondents globally—including 2,000 Canadians—certain destinations are emerging as favorites for 2025. Notable trends include:
Trending Destinations
- Grand Turk Island, Turks and Caicos: +713% search increase
- Cusco, Peru: +163% search increase
- Krabi, Thailand: +158% search increase
- Madeira, Portugal: +153% search increase
- Okinawa, Japan: +145% search increase
Cost remains a crucial factor for travelers. Skyscanner found that 71% of respondents consider flight costs when planning vacations, with hotel prices (64%) and food costs (37%) also playing significant roles.
Top Value Destinations
- Florence, Italy: -29% price drop
- Faro, Portugal: -28% price drop
- Bogota, Colombia: -28% price drop
- Madeira, Portugal: -28% price drop
- Quito, Ecuador: -27% price drop
Canadian travelers are also increasingly inspired by cultural events and experiences, with 53% indicating that culture is a key factor in their destination choice. Sporting events remain popular, with 21% planning trips around them. Additionally, a significant number of Canadians are eager to witness natural phenomena, such as the northern lights and lunar or solar eclipses.
Travelers are also seeking wellness and relaxation, especially younger generations (ages 24-34), who prioritize health during their trips. Interestingly, 34% of Canadian travelers draw inspiration from their favorite video games when planning vacations.
To enhance their travel experience, 71% of respondents plan to include visits to garden spaces in their itineraries.
Tips for Travelers
Skyscanner offers various tools to help maximize savings, including:
- Saved Feature: Save flight and hotel deals for later.
- Price Alerts: Set alerts for specific destinations and dates to catch price drops.
- “Everywhere” Search: Explore affordable vacation options without a specific destination in mind.
- Flexible Dates: Adjusting travel dates by a day or a week can yield significant savings.
With these insights and tools, Canadian travelers are poised to make the most of their 2025 adventures, seeking not just destinations but meaningful experiences.
