I think I started touting Asia as a great value destination for Canadians back around 2010. That holds true even more today, as the Canadian dollar slips and travellers look for better deals.
Which brings me to the Flight Centre Canada press release I received today. The release makes the same point I’ve been making for years, which is that Asia is a tremendous value for Canadians and other travellers. Here’s what Flight Centre Canada had to say in its latest release.
As the dollar dips to a 14-month low, some travellers are staying closer to home. Many more are choosing destinations where their money goes further — even if it means flying halfway around the world.
According to a new Flight Centre Canada survey1 conducted by YouGov, affordability is now the leading factor influencing destination choice. Nearly half of Canadians (49%) say overall cost matters most when planning a trip — more than safety (20%), geopolitical concerns (10%), flight reliability (5%) and entry requirements (4%) combined.
Hanoi is a cool city to visit, and very reasonably priced.
The shift is showing up in booking data. At Flight Centre Canada, total transaction value (TTV)2 is up in Japan (+52%), Cambodia (+50%), Vietnam (+42%) and China (+20%) — destinations that offer world-class food, culture and experiences alongside favourable exchange rates and lower day-to-day costs.
“A trip to Asia is no longer a ‘someday’ proposition for many of our travellers, and it’s all driven by value,” says Anita Emilio, executive vice president for Flight Centre Canada. “Canadians are looking beyond airfare and thinking about what their money buys once they arrive. They’re realizing they can experience the Great Wall of China, beaches in Bali or street food in Vietnam while spending less than they would on more traditional bucket-list vacations in Europe.”
Air Canada has been steadily expanding its flights to Asia and now has direct flights from Vancouver to places such as Bangkok, Singapore, Shanghai and Manila. It’ s not necessarily cheap for hotels, but Singapore has amazing, inexpensive food and spectacular sights for visitors to explore.
Just for fun, because this what Canada’s Travel Guy loves to do, I went online and found that the Ritz in London on Aug. 15 of this year will cost you $3,507 CAD. The Four Seasons in Bangkok lists for just $566 CAD. That’s about one-sixth the price of the Ritz in London, which means you could spend nearly a week in Bangkok for what it would cost for a single night in London.
Now, in fairness, that’s for a super luxury hotel. But you can usually find great hotels in Bangkok for less than $200 a night. Hanoi is much cheaper, still, with nice-looking rooms with excellent ratings often listed for $75 or less per night. Try getting a rate like that in London or Paris.
Value now goes beyond airfare
Nearly three-quarters of Canadians (74%) expect rising fuel costs or flight changes to affect their ability to travel this summer, while 61 per cent say higher prices will have the biggest impact on their plans. Thirty-one per cent are booking earlier to secure better rates.
The Big Buddha on Koh Samui in Thailand. JIM BYERS PHOTO
“Travelling to Asia is a great way to stretch your budget further,” says Emilio. “Though flights may cost more up front, you’ll often spend significantly less once there on hotels, food, tours and experiences. If you have the time to stay two weeks or longer, you’ll see exceptional value.”
Cost isn’t the only factor shaping travel decisions. Nine in 10 Canadians say global events have influenced how they travel, but affordability remains the biggest driver of where they ultimately choose to go.
A growing sense of adventure
Previous Flight Centre research3 also found that 78 per cent of Canadians define adventure travel through discovery, including experiencing different cultures, trying new foods and exploring unfamiliar destinations. Four in 10 (40%) see East or Southeast Asia as one of the world’s more adventurous regions.
A temple in Penang, Malaysia. JIM BYERS PHOTO
Europe remains a favourite for many Canadians, but value is reshaping where they go next. Canadians are willing to fly farther if it means getting more for their vacation budget once they arrive, making Asia one of the fastest growing opportunities for outbound travel.
On a side note, if you DO want to visit Europe this summer, I’ll repeat another bit of advice that I’ve been passing along for years (as have other travel experts), which is to think south and east. Portugal and Spain tend to offer excellent value in Europe, as do Eastern European countries such as Poland, Czechia, Hungary and Romania.
SKYSCANNER TRAVEL HACKS AND TIPS
Speaking of travel hacks, Skyscanner has some excellent. suggestions on how to save on travel.
Hack #1: Best Time to Book Flights
Save big on airfare this month! Skyscanner data shows the best time to book flights for August.
- This handy tool will tell Canadians when the best time is to book flights for travel to August hotspots in Mexico, like Cancun and Mexico City.
- Travellers travelling from Toronto to Cancun in August typically see the biggest savings when booking exactly 8 weeks ahead of their trip.
- Flying out on the week of the 24th of August or the 29th of August instead of the 3rd, 10th, or 17th of August could help you save on airfare.
Cancun, Mexico. JIM BYERS PHOTO
“Many travellers assume that booking as early as possible is always the best way to save, but our data shows that there are often optimal booking windows where prices are at their lowest,” says Laura Lindsay, Travel Expert at Skyscanner. “For Canadians planning an August getaway to destinations like Cancun, booking around eight weeks ahead and remaining flexible with travel dates can help unlock better value and stretch their travel budget further.”
Hack #2: Cheapest Destinations This Month
Want an affordable getaway? These are the cheapest destinations for Canadian travellers in August:
- Calgary to Cancun, Mexico: Roundtrip flights starting from $741
- Toronto to Dublin, Ireland: Roundtrip flights starting from $844
- Montreal to Madrid, Spain: Roundtrip flights starting from $839
Hack #3: Trending Routes and Car Rental Tips
These travel routes are trending this month – get there and explore with ease:
A beach in Cape Town, South Africa. JIM BYERS PHOTO
- Cape Town, South Africa: Hire a car in Cape Town from $25
Exploring South Africa by car opens up access to the renowned Garden Route, where travellers can move between coastal towns, wildlife reserves, and wine regions on their own schedule. The flexibility of a rental vehicle makes it easy to uncover hidden beaches, scenic lookouts, and local gems beyond the typical tourist trail. - Reykjavik, Iceland: Hire a car in Reykjavik from $163
- Renting a car is one of the best ways to experience Iceland, giving travellers the flexibility to explore beyond Reykjavík at their own pace. From waterfalls and black sand beaches to glacier lagoons and volcanic landscapes, the country’s iconic Ring Road connects many of its most breathtaking sights in a single unforgettable journey.
- Bergen, Norway: Hire a car in Bergen from $196
A rental car allows visitors to fully experience Norway’s dramatic west coast, where scenic roads weave between fjords, mountains, and charming villages. With the freedom to stop at viewpoints, ferry crossings, and hiking trails along the way, travellers can make the most of one of Europe’s most picturesque driving routes.
Hack #4: How to Save on Hotels
The Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego, California. Brand USA Photo
Looking for the perfect stay?
- Hotels can be cheaper when booked early. But for popular August destinations, If you’re flexible on your travel dates, search for flights on Skyscanner across a whole month or even a year to find the cheapest days. Midweek flights are often much cheaper than high-demand fares on weekends.
- Pro Tip: Use Skyscanner’s filters to find the best hotel deals by sorting by guest ratings, star categories, and lowest price to get the best value for your stay.
*Bonus Hack: Maximize Your Travel Savings*
Combine Skyscanner’s Price Alerts with flexible search filters for flights, hotels, and car rentals. Let us help you uncover hidden deals and turn your travel plans into reality!
Visit Skyscanner.ca for more information about the leading travel app.
