TORONTO — TICO has released new survey data highlighting the rapidly-changing travel intentions of Ontario travellers for 2025.

TICO is also pointing Ontario travel retailers and wholesalers in the direction of its TICO Registrant Toolkit, for shareable information about this province’s retail travel industry’s consumer protection benefits.

The survey polled more than 600 Ontario consumers in May 2025.

Key results include …

• About half of Ontarians are more likely to travel within Ontario or Canada in 2025.
• More than 2-in-5 will not travel to the U.S.
• Nearly 3-in-5 note the positions taken by the U.S. administration are having a significant impact on their travel decisions, followed by the impact of tariffs on the economy.
• 2-in-5 have delayed travel to their U.S. or changed destinations because of the uncertainty around the economy, tariffs, and/or geopolitical circumstances. Just 1-in-6 are continuing their U.S. travel bookings as planned.
• Only 1-in-3 are confident or very confident their travels will go as expected during this period of heightened uncertainty. 1-in-4 are not very or not at all confident.
• 72% of Ontarians typically travel between one and three times/year. Compared to last year, about half expect to make the same number of trips, while about 1-in-4 expect to travel but have fewer trips. About 3-in-5 expect their travel duration to be about the same as last year. Half expect to spend about the same on travel as last year, with 22% expecting to spend more and 20% expecting to spend less.
• 2-in-3 respondents feel it is “critical” or “important” that the travel agency they are booking through is regulated, including nearly 3-in-10 who feel it is “critical”. This is somewhat lower than the more than 4-in-5 who felt it critical or important.
• 3-in-4 feel TICO is valuable to them as a travel consumer, similar to prior waves. When booking travel, about 2-in-3 respondents are likely to purchase travel insurance and to book with flexible change/cancellation policies. Nearly half are likely to book with a travel agent.

As TICO notes, these unsettled times present opportunities for Ontario’s travel agencies, booking websites and tour operators: “In a climate of uncertainty, TICO-registered businesses are positioned to offer peace of mind.”

The survey found that across all age groups, 47% of respondents are likely or very likely to book their travel with a travel agent, adds TICO.

“From navigating shifting policies to securing flexible bookings, your expertise is more valuable than ever. TICO’s research finds older travellers are seeking reassurance, while younger ones are looking for guidance as they continue to explore the world.”

TICO’s Registrant Toolkit can be found here. More insights from TICO’s survey are here.