7 in 10 Canadians planning to travel in 2026: report

A new study suggests Canadians are very optimistic about travelling in 2026.

Whether they are coming or going, Canadians are packing their bags and hitting the road.

“I will be travelling at least twice a month approximately,” says Lesia Dub.

This is similar to what Allianz Global assistance Canada found in their annual vacation confidence index.

“Seven in 10 Canadians say they are confident they will take a vacation this year which is actually up nine points from 2025,” says Kyle Sparkman, Allianz’s managing director.

The intent to travel holds true across most age demographics. More than 70 per cent of Gen Z, Millennials and Gen X are planning trips.

Travel among Baby Boomers is down, which is thought to be because snowbirds are avoiding travel to the United States. Interest for the group is down from 20 per cent in 2025 to just 12 per cent this year.

“It’s been well reported that there’s been quite a bit of a decline in travel to the United States this year and it’s actually continuing, if not getting stronger as we start this year,” Sparkman says.

“Some folks have chosen for example not to cruise from the United States in some cases, if they’re not comfortable going there, but instead have turned their attention to Europe, so things like Mediterranean cruises,” says Blair Jerrett, senior marketing director of Maritime Travel.

According to Halifax Stanfield International Airport spokesperson Janice Kinney, there are a number of direct flights from Halifax that have opened for vacationers.

“There are currently 56 nonstop flights offered out of Halifax to destinations all across the globe. We’re currently seeing a lot of our sun destinations kickoff for the season,” said Kinney.

In an interview with CTV News Atlantic’s Todd Battis, Maciej Wilk, CEO of Flair Airlines, said they are preparing for a busy summer.

“Last year we carried about 200,000 passengers in and out from Halifax,” Wilk said. “This year it’s going to be close to 300,000. We saw a surge in demand to Maritimes about March or April of last year and we reacted immediately.”

-With files from CTV News Atlantic’s Sean Mott

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