Amid trade tensions, Canadians are seeking “calm-cations," says Flight Centre

Flight Centre says the year has gotten off to a “tumultuous start” amid political and economic uncertainties, combined with a “relentless news cycle.”

Canadians will inevitably “need a break” from it all, says the company, sharing new travel data and predictions for the year. 

A recent Flight Centre survey conducted by YouGov suggests that 61 per cent of Canadian travellers will prioritize slow and restful travel in 2025.

That means, choosing destinations away from crowds, opting for slower paced itineraries that highlight life’s simple pleasures, and leaving plenty of time to recharge, reflect, and refocus priorities.

“Soft travel, or the ‘calm-cation,’ looks different for different people,” said Ryan Bond, a travel expert at Flight Centre Canada, in a press release. “It puts the emphasis on mental and physical well-being so you return from your vacation with renewed energy and purpose.”

How to embrace soft travel

Flight Centre has outlined the many ways Canadians can embrace the “soft travel” movement: 

Visit healing locales

76 per cent of Canadian travellers crave peace away from crowded destinations, the survey shows.  

This preference holds for every age group: Gen Z (81%), Millennials (80%), Gen X (77%), Baby Boomers (75%) and Silent Gen (75%). Quiet havens that Flight Centre recommends include the forests and beaches of Haida Gwaii, British Columbia or the volcanic craters of Açores, Portugal.

Find balance

More than three in five (61%) of Canadian travellers say travel is extremely or very important to their mental health and overall wellbeing.

A Euphoria Retreat in the mountains of the Peloponnese, Greece or the historic monastery turned wellness retreat, Le Monastère des Augustines, Québec City, are Flight Centre’s recommendations.

Indulge in beauty sleep

Enjoying a restful vacation is especially important for Zillennials (Gen Z, 80%; Millennials, 76%), people with children (77% vs. people without children, 53%) and people who work (69% vs. people who don’t work, 48%).

Flight Centre’s recommendations? A secluded riverside eco-lodge with stargazing suites in Trout Point Lodge, Nova Scotia or Masseria Moroseta, Italy, a stylish farmhouse in Puglia designed for slow living, featuring minimalist decor and quiet countryside views.

“In an uncertain world, Canadians are searching for meaning,” Bond said. “Travel provides the opportunity to take a break from day-to-day life and focus on what really matters: taking care of our bodies and minds, savouring the moment with the ones we love, and making a positive difference in our global community.”

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