CAMBRIDGE, ON — After a year marked by economic pressures and global uncertainty, Canadians are showing a strong return to winter travel, according to Allianz Global Assistance Canada’s latest Winter Vacation Confidence Study.

Data shows that nearly half of Canadians (46%) are confident they will take a winter vacation this year, representing an 11-point increase over last season and marking a return to pre-pandemic travel sentiment.

Now in its ninth year, the annual survey reveals that the resurgence is strongest among younger travellers. Millennials are the most likely demographic to take a winter trip, with 52% planning to travel, closely followed by Gen Z at 48%. Gen X sits at 46%.

Boomers remain the most cautious group at 37% but their intentions have strengthened significantly, with confidence rising 11 percentage points from last year. Families are also helping fuel the rebound, with 56% of Canadians with children at home planning winter travel, compared to 42% of those without.

HOLIDAY TRAVEL SURGES BACK

Travel intentions are also strengthening over the holiday period. Almost one-third of Canadians (32%) plan to travel outside their home province in late December, nearly doubling last year’s figure of 17%. Younger generations and families are leading this trend, with 46% of households with children planning to travel over the holidays, compared to 27% of households without kids.

SUN VS. DOMESTIC DESTINATIONS

For winter getaways, Canadians remain split between sun destinations and travel closer to home. Mexico and the Caribbean lead as the top choice at 30%, followed by domestic travel at 29%. The United States and Europe each account for 14%, while 13% intend to visit other destinations abroad.

Domestic travel has grown modestly year over year, while interest in U.S. trips is declining. Boomers are driving this shift, with only 8% planning to travel to the United States, a notable decline of 19 percentage points from last year. Instead, they are focusing more on Canada (39%) and warm-weather destinations such as Mexico and the Caribbean (28%), up nine points over last year.

“We’re seeing a clear resurgence in Canadians’ desire to travel, especially among younger generations,” says Dan Keon, Vice President of Marketing & Insights at Allianz Global Assistance Canada. “After a challenging year of economic pressures and geopolitical uncertainty, Canadians are prioritizing time away. With this renewed confidence, it’s more important than ever to protect vacation plans with travel insurance.”

Comprehensive travel coverage, he adds, continues to play a central role in managing the unpredictability of today’s travel environment. Keon points to coverage for trip interruptions, medical emergencies abroad and flight cancellations as key benefits that support worry-free vacations.

“Travel is an investment in experiences and memories,” he adds. “Protecting that investment is critical, especially in today’s unpredictable travel environment.”