Canadians are flying farther to get more for their money: Flight Centre survey

As travel costs continue to climb and the Canadian dollar hovers near a 14-month low, more Canadians are choosing destinations where their vacation budget stretches further — even if it means flying farther from home.

That's according to new survey data released Tuesday (July 7) by Flight Centre Canada, which found affordability has become the top factor influencing where Canadians choose to travel.

The survey, conducted by YouGov, found that 49 per cent of Canadians say overall trip cost is the most important consideration when planning a vacation.

That easily outpaced other factors, including safety (20 per cent), geopolitical concerns (10 per cent), flight reliability (five per cent) and entry requirements (four per cent).

The survey was conducted between May 7 and 13, 2026, among 1,036 Canadian adults aged 18 and over, excluding Quebec residents, who intend to travel for leisure in the next 12 months. 

Boom in Asia bookings

The trend is already being reflected in Flight Centre Canada's booking data, with several Asian destinations seeing significant growth.

The company said total transaction value (TTV) has climbed 52 per cent for Japan bookings, followed by Cambodia (50 per cent), Vietnam (42 per cent) and China (20 per cent).

"A trip to Asia is no longer a ‘someday’ proposition for many of our travellers, and it’s all driven by value,” stated Anita Emilio, executive vice president for Flight Centre Canada.

“Canadians are looking beyond airfare and thinking about what their money buys once they arrive. They’re realizing they can experience the Great Wall of China, beaches in Bali or street food in Vietnam while spending less than they would on more traditional bucket-list vacations in Europe.”

The survey also suggests rising travel costs are changing how Canadians plan their vacations.

Nearly three-quarters (74 per cent) of respondents expect higher fuel costs or airline schedule changes to affect their ability to travel this summer, while 61 per cent said rising prices will have the biggest impact on their travel plans.

About one-third (31 per cent) said they are booking earlier to lock in better prices.

“Travelling to Asia is a great way to stretch your budget further,” said Emilio. “Though flights may cost more up front, you’ll often spend significantly less once there on hotels, food, tours and experiences. If you have the time to stay two weeks or longer, you’ll see exceptional value.”

Although global events continue to shape travellers' decisions — with nine in 10 respondents saying world events have influenced how they travel — affordability ultimately remains the biggest factor determining destination choice.

The findings also point to growing interest in more immersive travel experiences.

Previous Flight Centre Canada research found that 78 per cent of Canadians associate adventure travel with discovering new cultures, trying local cuisine and exploring unfamiliar places.

Four in 10 respondents identified East and Southeast Asia as among the world's most adventurous regions.

While Europe continues to rank among Canadians' favourite overseas destinations, Flight Centre said travellers are increasingly willing to fly farther if it means receiving better value once they arrive, positioning Asia as one of the fastest-growing outbound travel markets for Canadians.

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