Canadians’ holiday travel budgets are more than double what they were last year, a trend that bodes well for airlines and the tourism industry.
IBM’s Holiday Shopping and Travel Report finds that, in response to economic disruption and financial strain, Canadian consumers are rethinking their wish lists, with many diverting their holiday budgets from shopping to travel. This holiday season, Canadians are more concerned about rising costs and inflation (64%) than COVID-19 (56%), and they are recalibrating their celebration plans accordingly.
– Compared to last year, Canadians’ holiday travel budgets are up by 131%, significantly higher than the global average increase of 49%. And a lot of that money may already be out the door: 6 in 10 respondents planned to purchase airfare before October.
– Despite making travel plans earlier, Canadians want to keep their options open amidst COVID-19 and economic uncertainty. When shopping for travel, 46% of consumers in Canada say they will spend more if companies offer free cancellations, changes, and returns.
– Sustainable travel is becoming a priority for Canadians. On average, consumers surveyed say they would pay a premium of 26% for more sustainable air travel and a premium of 28% for more sustainable lodging this holiday season.
– While Canadians are spending more on travel, they are spending less on shopping this holiday season. In Canada, shopping budgets are down 17% compared to 2021.
– Faced with an economic downturn, if consumers in Canada are forced to cut their holiday shopping budgets further, more than 55% will cut the non-essential categories such as apparel, footwear, jewelry, and accessories.
– Brands and retailers should also be mindful that more Canadian shoppers are considering sustainability to a significant extent when shopping for the holidays this year (25%), compared to last year (14%).
JIM BYERS PHOTO
SUNWING ADDS CARIBBEAN FLIGHTS FROM THUNDER BAY FOR WINTER
Thunder Bay residents can swap Lake Superior for the Caribbean Sea this winter with easy access to weekly flights on board Sunwing Airlines. Sunwing’s sought-after return to the city known as “Superior by Nature” includes two weekly flights from Thunder Bay to the sun-soaked destinations of Cancun, Mexico and Varadero, Cuba, plus a variety of affordable all inclusive vacation packages to the family-friendly and adults only resorts that suit each customer’s needs.
“We’re excited to return to Thunder Bay this winter season, with direct Sunwing flights to two of our most popular vacation destinations in the tropics,” said Andrew Dawson, President of Tour Operations for Sunwing. “As a longstanding partner for us at Sunwing, we’re thrilled to continue working together with Thunder Bay International Airport and help residents travel to paradise with ease from their local airport.”
Sunwing will be offering weekly flights from Thunder Bay to Cancun on Mondays starting on December 12, 2022 until April 10, 2023, and weekly flights to Varadero on Tuesdays starting on December 13, 2022 until April 11, 2023.
For a limited time only, residents in Thunder Bay can take advantage of Sunwing’s BOGO Seat Sale, where customers can buy one seat and the get second 40% off on new air only bookings* made by November 13, 2022, for winter departures until April 30, 2023. Plus, with only a few days remaining, there’s still time to save up to 40% on vacation packages with room upgrades at select properties during Sunwing’s Save More Event*, live until November 6, 2022.
