Should I stay or should I go?

Travel intentions during a pandemic

The travel and tourism sector has been hit especially hard by the COVID-19 outbreak. This important sector of the Canadian economy generates billions for our economy and employs millions of Canadians.

A typical weekend in late March sees about 40,000 Americans enter Canada by land. On March 29 of this year, only 531 Americans crossed land borders.

The combination of closed borders and physical distancing guidelines has had travellers re-evaluating their plans.

The Conference Board of Canada conducted two surveys after the Government of Canada closed borders to international travellers on March 16. The first survey closed on March 23; the second, April 16.

We expect domestic travel to return to something similar to normal next April. International travel will likely remain at below-normal levels until next December.

Pandemic has seriously disrupted travel plans this summer

Canadians are heeding the government’s guidelines and are staying home.

Most travellers have delayed or cancelled a trip

Q: How has the COVID-19 outbreak affected your travel activity?

(percentage who have delayed or cancelled their trip)

Source: The Conference Board of Canada.

People are also holding off on booking trips

Q: Has the COVID-19 outbreak affected your recent/upcoming travel activity?

(per cent)

Source: The Conference Board of Canada.

In our spring survey, we typically find around 75–80 per cent of Canadians are planning a trip. This year, only 45 per cent are.

Few people are planning to travel this summer

Q: This summer, do you plan to take an overnight trip of at least 80 kilometres away from home for vacation or leisure purposes?

(percentage responding “yes” or “probably”)

Notes: Summer season is between May 1 and October 31. Excludes positive responses where the primary trip purpose is NOT leisure.
Source: The Conference Board of Canada.

Of those, over half are hoping to travel later in the summer

Q: In which month do you plan to start your trip?

(per cent)

Source: The Conference Board of Canada.

Where are people going?

More Canadian travellers plan to stay in Canada this year

Q: Where will you be spending the most nights during your trip this summer?

(percentage of leisure travellers)

Source: The Conference Board of Canada.

Canadians miss their friends and family

Q: What is the primary purpose of your summer trip?

(percentage of leisure travellers)

Source: The Conference Board of Canada.

Travel restrictions have grounded many travellers. Canadian air carriers have reduced service by 13 million seats in the first half of 2020—more than 11 million in April and May alone.

Canadian airlines are reducing their capacity

(2020 vs 2019)

Note: Reflects flights operated by Air Canada, Porter Airlines, Air Transat, Sunwing Airlines, Swoop, and WestJet only.
*includes flights to Africa and the Middle East
**includes flights to Central and South America
Sources: OAG (as of April 20); The Conference Board of Canada.

This summer could see the return of the great Canadian road trip

Q: What is the main type of transportation you plan to use to get to your destination?

(percentage of domestic travellers)

Source: The Conference Board of Canada.

The spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has created uncertainty in all global markets.
We’re doing our best to provide timely updates, but information can fall out of date quickly. All products related to our COVID-19 coverage will be available for free on our website. To access them, go to conferenceboard.ca.

The Conference Board of Canada reserves the right to adjust content as necessary.
Any errors or omissions in fact or interpretation are the responsibility of The Conference Board of Canada.

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