Survey Suggests Another Stay-Home Summer for Canadians: Planes + Cruises Seen as Risky

April 16, 2021 Jim Byers

It’s looking like another stay-at-home summer for Canadians.

A new nationwide survey by Abacus Data out of Ottawa finds that 81% of Canadian are likely to stay within their province this summer but travel more than 50 km’s from home. Thirty per cent of those said that’s definitely the case and 51% said it’s likely.

A full 70% said they’d likely travel this summer but stay with 50 km’s of home. Twenty four per cent of respondents said that’s definitely the case, while 45% said that’s most likely.

Asked if they’d travel to another province, 15% said they’d definitely do so, while 33% said it’s likely. A substantial number, 19%, said they’re definitely not leaving their home province this summer.

Asked about travel to the U.S., only seven per cent said that’s definitely the case, while 14% said it’s likely. Twenty seven per cent of respondents said they’re unlike to visit the land of Uncle Sam this summer and a whopping 52% said they’re definitely not going to the U.S.

On the subject of overseas travel, 62% of Canadians – almost two out of three – said they’re definitely not doing so this summer. Another 23% said they’re likely not going, which means 85% of us are either unlikely to go or say we’re definitely not going overseas this summer.

This sounds like good news for the domestic industry in Canada, but bad for airlines, overseas destinations and tour companies that specialize in Europe or other outbound trips. It’s also not good for the cruise industry.

Asked about their top considerations for travel this year, 93% of Canadians said doing something that’s safe during the pandemic is either important (14%), very important (30%) or extremely important (49%).

Similar numbers were found for questions dealing with “staying away from crowds and busy attractions” and “being able to travel without having to quarantine at the destination” or quarantine at home.

Asked what they consider the least risky way to travel this summer, 72% said a road trip was either not risky or only a little bit risky. Similar numbers were found for camping in a tent trips or camping in an RV.

Asked about staying in a rental property, 25% said it’s somewhat risky, while 17% said it’s too risky for them.

On the issue of staying in a hotel or motel or at a resort, 29% of Canadians said it’s somewhat risky, while 24% said it’s too risky.

Asked about getting on a plane as part of their vacation, a full 46% said it’s too risky, while 27% said it’s somewhat risky. On the issue of taking a cruise, 62% said it’s too risky, while 19% said it’s somewhat risky.

In general, 27% of Canadians said they’re planning a summer holiday this year, while 29% are still thinking about it. A full 44% said they’re not going to take a summer vacation, which doesn’t sound terribly promising.

The survey was conducted with 1,500 Canadians between March 4 and 7. Given our COVID numbers in April, I wouldn’t be surprised if the numbers weren’t substantially different if the survey was taken today.

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