Inflation worries are causing Canadians to cut back on travel, but Gen Z remains eager to get out there and explore.
An Ipsos Reid poll conducted in mid-March for Global News found that 62% of Canadians say they’re scaling back their vacation plans this year. Sixty one per cent of respondents blamed “inflation and the economy” for their travel trimming.
A full 24% of those surveyed said they can’t afford a summer vacation, and only 13% said they’ll spend more this year.
“Canadians are going to be looking for cheaper alternatives,” said Ipsos VP Sean Simpson.
One person interviewed said she was “shocked” at the price of flights within Canada this summer.
I went on Expedia this morning and found flights between Toronto and Vancouver (July 8-16) for $365, which is a great price. But the cheapest ticket from Toronto to St. John’s was around $600. Mind you, Newfoundland flights generally are more expensive than other routes.
You’ll find great scenery all around Newfoundland. But it’s seldom cheap to get there. JIM BYERS PHOTO
I booked a flight from Toronto to San Antonio for late May, and found the cheapest round trip fare was $1,200!
While many folks appear worried about travel costs, younger folks still seem determined to hit the road.
A report from CNBC says that, despite their youth and comparatively low income, more than half of American Gen Z adults are frequent travelers, having taken three or more leisure trips in the past year, according to the data research company Morning Consult.
BLUE JAYS RELIEVER SLAMS UNITED AIRLINES
On Sunday, Bass wrote on Twitter (his handle is @AnthonyBass52) that a United Airlines employee forced his wife, Sydney Rae Bass, to get “on her hands and knees” to pick up a mess made by their toddler.
“The [United] flight attendant just made my 22 week pregnant wife traveling with a 5 year old and 2 year old get on her hands and knees to pick up the popcorn mess by my youngest daughter. Are you kidding me?!?!” he tweeted.
He later clarified that United had given out the popcorn. Today, he tweeted out a note that said, “Thank you everyone for the support. United Airlines is taking care of matters with the flight attendant internally.”
Not everyone was impressed.
“You’re going to get someone fired because your family can’t control your kids and is unwilling to clean up after them when they throw things on the ground,” one Twitter user said.
Business travellers. Rob Wilson/Unsplash Photo
CANADIAN MEETINGS AND BIZ TRAVEL LAGGING BADLY: NEW ADVOCACY GROUP FORMED
A Porter Airlines Embraer E195-E2 jet. Photo Courtesy Porter Airlines.
PORTER AIRLINES GIVES VIPORTER LOYALTY PROGRAM ACCESS TO WEST JET REGULARS
Porter Airlines is extending a special offer to all frequent WestJet travellers that provides immediate access to its VIPorter loyalty program Avid Traveller membership.
VIPorter Avid Travellers receive perks including faster points accumulation, dedicated airport services, complimentary seat assignments, PorterClassic Stretch seats with more legroom, checked baggage travel flexibility and confirmed PorterReserve upgrade certificates.
The Avid Traveller level granted will be based on the current WestJet rewards level.
Travellers interested in matching their status will receive a trial VIPorter Avid Traveller membership for 120 days with the ability to maintain that level through December 31, 2024, based on achieving a reduced qualifying spend threshold. Every dollar spent on Porter, excluding taxes and fees, is applied to the spend goal.
VIPorter Venture – earn $750 in qualifying spendVIPorter Ascent – earn $1,500 in qualifying spendVIPorter First – earn $2,500 in qualifying spend
The offer expires on May 31. Details on how to participate are available on www.flyporter.com.“This offer is especially appealing to loyal WestJet customers throughout Eastern Canada who either no longer have access to flights or have greatly reduced flight options in their communities. Porter has an extensive and expanding Eastern Canada network with a high-frequency schedule on many routes. We’re growing our service across Canada and North America, and only Porter provides every passenger an elevated economy experience,” said Kevin Jackson, executive vice president and chief commercial officer, Porter Airlines. “Other airline programs make earning points and redeeming benefits overly complex. VIPorter members earn 100% of their points on all Porter fares, including Basic, the lowest fare option. Travellers earn valuable benefits with fewer flights and less annual spend than with any other Canadian airline.”
Porter is expanding its service in key Eastern Canada cities – Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Halifax – that will eventually connect across the continent to the west coast, southern U.S., Mexico and the Caribbean.
The airline has already added a number of new routes this year, from Charlottetown in the east to Vancouver in the west, with more to come.
The Porter experience elevates economy air travel for everyone, with its signature free beer and wine in glassware, free premium snacks for all passengers, plus free, high-speed WiFi and in-flight entertainment for every passenger on its new E195-E2 fleet. Based on fare preference, passengers select their amenities à la carte or reserve them all-inclusive, including freshly-crafted, healthy meals on longer flights, free baggage check, and more.
Image by Sofia Terzoni from Pixabay.
