Canadian Reward Card Holders Cite `Cost and Budget' (67%) and `Family and/or Friends' (49%) as Biggest Considerations for Planning a Vacation

Toronto, ON - When it comes to factoring in considerations for planning vacations, two-thirds (67%) of Canadians who carry rewards cards consider cost and budget or when they can afford to go on vacation, according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of RBC. Half of Canadians with rewards cards also factor in family and/or friends (49%) or a great bargain or deal (45%) when vacation planning. Two in ten (21%) take their reward points or miles into account when making vacation plans. Below is a complete list of what factors Canadians who carry reward cards take into consideration when planning their vacation:

• Cost/budget - when they can afford to go on vacation - 67%
• Family and/or friends - 49%
• A great bargain/deal - 45%
• Online websites (i.e. reviews of travel destinations, hotels, etc.) - 38%
• The reward points/miles I have available - 21%
• Suggestions from a travel agent - 12%
• Newspapers or magazine articles - 11%
• Social media (i.e. suggestions from blogs, Facebook, Twitter, etc.) - 5%
• Other - 6%
• I don't go on vacation; I prefer "staycations" - 11%

With so many options provided for booking vacations, Canadians with reward cards who are planning a vacation are taking to the internet to book their travels. Six in ten (56%) say they are most likely to book the trip themselves online, compared to two in ten (19%) who plan on booking their trip with a travel agent. One in ten are most likely to book the trip themselves over the phone (12%), have someone else make the arrangement for them (8%), or don't plan on taking a trip (6%)

Most reward card-holding Canadians seem to prefer shorter vacations, perhaps due to budgeting factors. Four in ten (40%) say they're vacation will last about one week, while two in ten (18%) believe their next vacation will be a short weekend getaway. Three in ten (30%) will take a vacation lasting approximately two to three weeks, while 5% will take one month for their next vacation. One in ten (7%) say their next vacation will last more than one month.

While on vacation, Canadians carrying rewards cards like a mix of getting out and seeing the sites and relaxing. Two-thirds (64%) say that sightseeing will be a part of their next vacation, while half say that they'll include staying at a hotel (51%), shopping (49%), and relaxing on a beach (45%) to their trip. Other activities reward card-holding Canadians plan on including as a part of their next vacation include:

• Take a boat tour - 17%
• Renting a car - 16%
• Go on a sports adventure (snorkelling, for example) - 16%
• Go on a cruise - 13%
• Schedule a massage or spa appointment - 12%
• Visit a winery - 11%
• Golf - 8%
• Take cooking lessons - 2%
• Other - 20%
• None of the above - 5%

Canadians' preference for sightseeing is reflected in their top choices of cities in the world they would visit and their choice of top tourist destination. Honolulu (13%) and main European cities (Paris - 12%, Rome - 11%, and London - 9%) top the list of cities in the world that Canadians with rewards cards would most like to visit. If they could only visit just ONE tourist destination, Canadians would most want to see the Great Pyramids in Egypt (18%), Machu Picchu (11%), and Disneyworld (10%). The table below outlines in full which cities and tourist destinations Canadians with rewards cards would choose to travel to:

(Click to enlarge image)

These are some of the findings of an Ipsos Reid poll conducted between July 25th and August 2nd, 2012, on behalf of RBC. For this survey, a sample of 1,632 Canadians, who are rewards or loyalty card holders from Ipsos' Canadian online panel was interviewed online. Weighting was then employed to balance demographics to ensure that the sample's composition reflects that of the adult population according to Census data and to provide results intended to approximate the sample universe. A survey with an unweighted probability sample of this size and a 100% response rate would have an estimated margin of error of +/-2 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, of what the results would have been had the entire population of Canadians with loyalty cards been polled. All sample surveys and polls may be subject to other sources of error, including, but not limited to coverage error, and measurement error.

For more information on this news release, please contact:

Sean Simpson
Associate Vice President
Ipsos Reid Public Affairs
416.572.4474
[email protected]

About Ipsos Reid

Ipsos Reid is Canada's market intelligence leader, the country's leading provider of public opinion research, and research partner for loyalty and forecasting and modelling insights. With operations in eight cities, Ipsos Reid employs more than 600 research professionals and support staff in Canada. The company has the biggest network of telephone call centres in the country, as well as the largest pre-recruited household and online panels. Ipsos Reid's marketing research and public affairs practices offer the premier suite of research vehicles in Canada, all of which provide clients with actionable and relevant information. Staffed with seasoned research consultants with extensive industry-specific backgrounds, Ipsos Reid offers syndicated information or custom solutions across key sectors of the Canadian economy, including consumer packaged goods, financial services, automotive, retail, and technology & telecommunications. Ipsos Reid is an Ipsos company, a leading global survey-based market research group.

To learn more, please visit www.ipsos.ca.

About Ipsos

Ipsos is an independent market research company controlled and managed by research professionals. Founded in France in 1975, Ipsos has grown into a worldwide research group with a strong presence in all key markets. In October 2011 Ipsos completed the acquisition of Synovate. The combination forms the world's third largest market research company.

With offices in 84 countries, Ipsos delivers insightful expertise across six research specializations: advertising, customer loyalty, marketing, media, public affairs research, and survey management.

Ipsos researchers assess market potential and interpret market trends. They develop and build brands. They help clients build long-term relationships with their customers. They test advertising and study audience responses to various media and they measure public opinion around the globe.

Ipsos has been listed on the Paris Stock Exchange since 1999 and generated global revenues of e1,363 billion (1.897 billion USD) in 2011.

Visit www.ipsos-na.com to learn more about Ipsos' offerings and capabilities.