Domestic Bliss: Canada’s Top ‘Drive-To’ Vacation Locations For 2022

Domestic Bliss: Canada’s Top ‘Drive-To’ Vacation Locations For 2022

January 26, 2022 Bruce Parkinson

With the pandemic still impacting the international travel plans of Canadians, many of us are looking closer to home for vacations again in 2022.

Using data from its users, the Expedia Group-owned vacation rental site and app Vrbo is offering insights into the Canadian vacation rental market, along with a list of its top ‘drive-to’ destinations from major cities.

“We first saw families turn to road trips early in the pandemic when air travel was unpredictable. As COVID-19 continues to throw curveballs our way, many families are choosing to drive to their vacation destinations and visit vacation spots that are close to home,” said Mary Zajac, Vrbo spokesperson.

“From many regions of the country, travellers can find a popular vacation destination within 350 kilometres, which is about a 3 to 4 hour car ride,” Zajac added.

Vrbo’s top drive-to destinations from major city areas across Canada include: Collingwood, Picton and Huntsville, from Toronto; Sechelt, Victoria and Whistler, from Vancouver; Canmore, Golden and Fernie, from Calgary; and Magog, Mont-Tremblant and Quebec City from Montreal.

The vacation rental company’s top emerging destinations from its 2022 Trend Report also indicate a continued interest in close-to-home road trip destinations.

Vacation rental demand is on the rise in places including Harvie Heights, Alberta; Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia; Lennox and Addington County, Ontario; Northumberland County, New Brunswick; and Powell River Regional District, British Columbia. Each of these saw a rise in demand of at least 70% year over year.

What they have in common is they are all close to scenic nature and within reasonable driving distance from urban areas.

These destinations are all located in close proximity to the outdoors, but within driving distance from urban areas across the country.

Vrbo says other effects of the pandemic are changing Canadian travel patterns.

With remote work and virtual school for many families, there’s a rise in demand for stays of 3-4 weeks, as people combine work and vacation time with a much-needed change of scenery.