Three Quarters (77%) of Canadians are Comfortable with Traveling within Canada while only Half (55%) would Travel Abroad
Toronto, ON, November 10th 2022 – Even though borders have reopened and health restrictions have relaxed over the last year and a half, chaotic airports, new COVID-19 strains, and soaring prices are holding back Canadians from traveling abroad. Indeed, the results of a new Ipsos poll conducted exclusively for Global News have shown that while three quarters (77%) of Canadians say they are comfortable with traveling within Canada (42% very, 35% somewhat), only half (55%) would say the same for international travel (27% very, 29% somewhat).
Soaring inflation and looming COVID-19: stressors for traveling and the festive season
As dealing with COVID-19 has become a normalized part of travelling, three quarters of Canadians (77%) say they are comfortable with travelling within Canada. This proportion is higher among those who live in the Atlantic regions (87%) and British Columbia (85%) (vs. 80%: AB, 75%: SK/MB, 75%: ONT, 73%: QC); as well as those who tend to earn more (82%: $60K-<$100K; 87% $100K+: vs. 71%: <$40K; 78%: $40K-<$60K). Compared to domestic travel, Canadians are much more wary of traveling internationally: only half (55%) say they are comfortable traveling abroad. Younger age groups are more at ease with travelling abroad than older generations (68%: 18-34; 59%: 35-54 vs. 43%: 55+).
When those who aren’t comfortable traveling, both domestically and internationally, are asked about the main factors that are currently holding them back, inflation and contracting COVID-19 are top-of-mind concerns. First, almost two thirds (65%) consider high prices (i.e. hotels and tickets) to be a major barrier - which is higher among older age groups (69% for both 35-54 and 55+ vs. 49%: 18-34). Second, a similar proportion (61%) are afraid of contracting COVID-19 or remain anxious of overly-relaxed travel restrictions, which remains consistent among demographic groups.
To a lesser measure, almost half (48%) say they are wary of chaotic airports (i.e. loss of luggage, missed connections), while three in ten (30%) are uncomfortable with airlines not guaranteeing available seats or specific flights. Three in ten (31%) also say they are uncomfortable with the political instability of different countries, while only 21% dread impractical and unnecessary health regulations.
Looking ahead to this festive season - although COVID-19 remains the dreaded uninvited houseguest - most Canadians now feel comfortable gathering for the holidays. Indeed, more than eight in ten (84%) are comfortable gathering with close family and friends for the holidays while a similar proportion (80%) say the same for extended family and friends. Interestingly, those aged 18-34 are more likely to be uncomfortable gathering with close family and friends for the upcoming holidays (22% vs. 11% for both 35-54 and 55+).
However, the anxiety of contracting COVID-19 has not yet disappeared as Canadians are comparatively less comfortable with shopping in a crowded mall/store for holiday gifts: Only 63% say they are comfortable with this scenario while 35% say they aren’t (a proportion which is significantly higher among women at 40% vs. 29% for men).
About the Study
These are some of the findings of an Ipsos poll conducted between October 18-20th, 2022, on behalf of Global News. For this survey, a sample of 1,001 Canadians aged 18+ was interviewed. Quotas and weighting were employed to ensure that the sample’s composition reflects that of the Canadian population according to census parameters. The precision of Ipsos online polls is measured using a credibility interval. In this case, the poll is accurate to within ± 3.5 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, had all Canadians aged 18+ been polled. The credibility interval will be wider among subsets of the population. 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
Senior Vice President, Ipsos Public Affairs Canada
+1 416 324 2002
[email protected]
About Ipsos
Ipsos is the world’s third largest market research company, present in 90 markets and employing more than 18,000 people.
Our passionately curious research professionals, analysts and scientists have built unique multi-specialist capabilities that provide true understanding and powerful insights into the actions, opinions and motivations of citizens, consumers, patients, customers or employees. We serve more than 5000 clients across the world with 75 business solutions.
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