Solo surge & roots routes: Flight Centre calls 2026 the "Year of R&R Travel"

In a world where uncertainty feels constant—the dollar wavers, AI reshapes the workforce, and burnout has become the new baseline—Canadians are finding strength not by staying put, but by taking flight.

Flight Centre Canada is calling 2026 the “Year of R&R Travel—Reconnection and Renewal,” unveiling 10 trends that capture how Canadians are travelling with intention and resilience.

The data shows the momentum is already here: Canadians took more than 77 million trips in the first quarter of 2025, while tourism GDP grew 1.3 per cent in the second quarter, according to Statistics Canada.

"For Canadians, resilience is no longer about staying put. It’s about getting up, getting out and finding meaning,” said Amra Durakovic, director of communications for Flight Centre Travel Group Canada. “We’re seeing travel evolve from something people do to get away to something they do for recovery—a deliberate reset for their mental, emotional and social well-being.”

Flight Centre’s Top 10 Travel Trends for 2026

1. Canada Strong

With 81% of Canadians saying exchange rates shape their travel plans, the loonie’s strength is steering travellers to better-value destinations—from Banff to Bangkok—and away from the U.S., where visits have fallen for seven consecutive months.

2. Wellness Revolution

As 58% of Canadians travel to de-stress, the pursuit of wellness is expanding beyond spas to include digital detoxes, burnout retreats and sound therapy. The US$9-trillion global wellness tourism market is set to benefit as Canadians increasingly prioritize self-care through travel.

3. Adventure Rising

Adventure and active exploration now make up 55% of Flight Centre’s global bookings. Canadians are chasing experiences that challenge and inspire—from Arctic expeditions to Patagonia treks—favoring journeys that build resilience over indulgence.

4. Roots Routes

Heritage travel is on the rise. Canadians are exploring destinations connected to their ancestry, driving growth in diaspora markets such as Ireland, Italy, the Philippines, and Eastern Europe.

5. Solo Surge

Solo travel continues to soar, representing 37% of 2025 bookings. These independent travellers spend an average of 19 days on the road, with women leading the charge for self-directed discovery.

6. Legacy Journeys

Boomers are redefining retirement travel, with 27% using savings for once-in-a-lifetime experiences that reconnect families and revive traditions—trips that double as emotional investments.

7. Family Edutainment

Millennial parents are swapping beach resorts for culturally immersive adventures that educate and inspire. Destinations like the Galapagos Islands or Berlin’s art scene offer “edutainment” for kids and adults alike.

8. Hooked on Hobbidays

From pickleball tournaments to birdwatching safaris, passion-led travel is booming. These “hobbidays” now make up 10% of the tourism market, driven by niche interests in literature, food, and sport.

9. Work Meets Play

The “bleisure” trend continues to thrive. 63% of Canadians are blending business and leisure trips—adding mini-getaways around conference cities like Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Las Vegas, and New York to boost work-life balance and team bonding.

10. Respectful Roaming

With growing awareness around sustainability, 71% of Canadians are concerned about overtourism and 53% prioritize environmental impact. The result: more mindful travel choices and a renewed respect for people and place.

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