Where are Canadians flying to this summer? Air Transat releases trend report

Air Transat has released a travel trend report, shedding light on the destinations that Canadians will be exploring this summer.

According to the airline's booking data, released Thursday (June 27),  Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, and Rome, Italy are the most popular choices for family vacations during the peak summer season (June to August) this year.

For those with kids under five, Punta Cana is the summer destination experiencing the biggest increase in bookings, Air Transat said.

But for adults travelling with older grade-schoolers or teenagers, their destination of choice is increasingly Rome.

"It is clear that in the early years of parenthood, adults want to travel where they know they can relax, recoup their energy, and set up shop next to a pool or on a beach," said Xavier Szwengler, vice-president, marketing and loyalty at Transat, in a press release.  

"But once the kids grow out of strollers, more parents are prioritizing educational destinations that can broaden horizons, particularly Rome, where family vacation itineraries are never short on activities and discoveries. No matter where their adventures take them, families can trust Air Transat to provide exceptional care and service, ensuring they travel with peace of mind."

How different generations travel

Other Air Transat data revealed that Rome, Paris, London and Lisbon are the most popular destinations among all adult age groups this summer, though travellers 55+ heading to Portugal tend to choose Porto over Lisbon.

Porto, the coastal city in the northwest of Portugal, is the most popular destination for travellers with a pet, as many of the activities in the region are pet friendly, the airline pointed out.

Air Transat’s data also shows interesting statistics around how different generations travel.

Millennials are the most likely to do short weekend vacations, with Cancun and Punta Cana topping the list, while Gen X and Boomers prefer vacations longer than two weeks in European destinations such as Paris, Rome, Athens, Porto and Lisbon.

Millennials are also the ones who travel with the most baggage, while Boomers and Gen X prefer to book their seats in advance for peace of mind, the airline said.

Solo trips: Paris & London lead the way

For travellers looking to embark on a solo trip this summer, Paris, London, Rome and Lisbon are topping the list, Air Transat said.

Paris – which will host this year’s Summer Olympics – has seen a 48 per cent increase in bookings this year, while London has seen a 39 per cent increase.

For those travelling as a pair, they are favouring similar destinations, although Rome has seen a 56 per cent increase in bookings and Paris a 50 per cent one.

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