TORONTO, ON--(Marketwired - Jun 25, 2014) - According to a recent survey from Expedia.ca, Canada's leading online travel provider*, 55 per cent of Canadians are planning to take more staycation time this year compared to last. Expedia.ca has teamed up with Canadian travel blogger Nicole Wears from the Traveling Canucks (www.travelingcanucks.com) who warns that while staycations may help Canadians cross items off their to do list, they fall short in other ways.
"As an avid traveller and mother of two, I've discovered first hand that there are significant benefits to travelling for your vacation rather than using your days off to stay home," said Wears. "Whether you're vacationing with family, friends or on your own, travelling gives you an opportunity to experience something new, explore the unknown and indulge in something fun you otherwise wouldn't experience at home."
Of the Canadians planning to take staycation time this year (22 per cent), one in three (34 per cent) plan to spend this time completing chores and running errands. For those staying home but not doing housework, 31 per cent plan to see family while 14 per cent will be playing tourist in their own city. The remaining quarter will either be checking in on work (13 per cent) or attending appointments (8 per cent).
Canadians Prefer Vacations over Staycations
While many are planning to stay home this year, staycations are not the first choice of most Canadians. In fact, 43 per cent of survey respondents say they prefer travel vacations to staycations versus 15 per cent who prefer staycations over travel vacations.
The remaining 42 per cent say that a staycation is the same as a travel vacation, a common misconception according to Wears. "There are so many benefits to taking a vacation away from home and travel to a new destination. From the diversity and learning to the sense of accomplishment and joy when you return, every member of my family gains something new from a trip away from home."
Canadians Feel Better after a Travel Vacation compared to a Staycation
According to the survey, 36 per cent of those who prefer to use their vacation time to travel report that travel vacations leave them feeling relaxed, revived and content with their new experiences. In fact, females (40 per cent) report they feel the benefits more compared to males (33 per cent).
"At Expedia.ca we believe vacation days are hard earned and it's important we use this time to take a real break in order to rejuvenate from our busy day-to-day lives," said Sean Shannon, Managing Director, Expedia.ca. "Whether a relaxing beach vacation or adventurous city getaway, we encourage Canadians to choose from the more than 130 airlines and 240,000 hotels on Expedia.ca to build their perfect summer vacation away from home."
Wears agrees: "What's especially concerning is that the percentage of vacation time Canadians are dedicating to staycations is increasing. We need to be spending more time enjoying sweeping vistas, trying new foods, and enjoying new experiences. The household chores can wait."
Top Five Reasons Wears Says a Travel Vacation is More Beneficial than a Staycation
1) Bonding with family and friends - Say cheese for that family photo! From the excitement of experiencing new activities together to the feelings of developing lifelong memories, going on a travel vacation often provides better quality time and stronger bonding with those close to you.
2) Valuable learning opportunities - Discovering new cultures and experiences abroad is enriching for everyone, including children and parents alike. Regardless of your age, travelling gives you diversity, insights and learning you would not otherwise experience if you stay at home.
3) It may actually be less expensive than a staycation - Although 39 per cent of Canadians feel they save money on travel costs by not taking a travel vacation, staying home during your vacation may not actually cost less. In fact, 49 per cent of Canadians feel staycations cost them more as they end up spending on events close to home and other unforeseen costs. This is easy to quantify considering the cost of gas for day trips, excursions away from home and projects completed around the house that can quickly add up. Using a travel provider like Expedia.ca and bundling flight and hotel can help you save serious money -- up to $500. And remember, even a short-haul trip for a weekend or a few days, which often come with smaller price tags, can also help to rejuvenate you and your family.
4) Less routine and more spontaneity - Ditching your everyday routine and travelling to a new location can give you a sense of adventure and present you with experiences you could not recreate at home. It also pushes you outside your comfort zone and allows you to try new things which will leave you with a sense of accomplishment.
5) Overall well-being - Strap on your walking shoes and try something different! When you travel to a new destination you will often find yourself being more active -- both physically and mentally -- which will lead to an overall sense of well-being.
Expedia.ca offers solutions for Canadians who want to experience a true summer vacation
Save money when travelling this summer by bundling your flight and hotel together through Expedia.ca for savings of up to $500. And if you book during the Expedia.ca summer sale, you can save up to 50% off hotels worldwide -- letting you travel wherever your heart takes you this summer.
Survey Methodology
The results quoted in this press release are taken from "Expedica.ca Staycation Not Vacation" survey using Google Consumer Surveys between June 12 and 17, 2014. Each question sampled at least 1,000 unique, randomly sampled internet users across the Google Consumer Surveys publisher network. The average margin of error is +/- 4%.
About Expedia Canada
Expedia.ca is the nation's most-visited full-service online travel provider. To help Canadians plan and purchase travel, Expedia.ca offers the best combination of scheduled and charter flights, car and hotel reservations, vacation packages, destination activities, cruises, and travel insurance. Expedia customers are supported by customer support agents available 24 hours a day, seven days a week via a toll-free number and email response.
Follow Expedia.ca on Facebook, Twitter, Google + and download the free Expedia Mobile App.
Expedia, Expedia.ca and the Airplane logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Expedia, Inc. in the U.S. Other logos or product and company names mentioned herein may be the property of their respective owners. © 2014 Expedia, Inc. All rights reserved. CST: 2029030-5030
* Source: comScore Media Metrix, Canada, Online Travel Agents category, Jan - Dec 2013
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