New research from Expedia says that what Canadians want most at this time of year is a "nothing-cation," a trip where warm weather and relaxation are the main attractions.
According to a survey of 3,500 Canadian travellers conducted December 21-January 4, almost half (43%) of respondents report that December is the hardest and most stressful month of the year, and nearly everyone surveyed (93%) plans to spend a portion of their next trip doing absolutely nothing.
Expedia internal data confirms January is one of the top months for researching and booking beach vacations. On average, about a quarter of getaways planned during the first month of the year are to beach destinations, and many hotspots including Cancun, Riviera Maya, Punta Cana and Oahu are already seeing double-digit increases in demand compared to the same time in 2019.
"There's a time and place for an action-packed vacation itinerary, but our data shows the first trip after the hectic holiday season is not it," says Melanie Fish, head of Expedia Group brands public relations.
"For most travellers, getting the most out of their next vacation means doing less and setting aside dedicated time for nothing."
According to Expedia's research, 35% of travellers say they like to start off the new year with a trip on the calendar to look forward to, as a remedy to escape the cold and rainy weather (34%) in January. Furthermore, most (79%) agree that a vacation is good for their mental health and that after "doing nothing" on vacation, they feel refreshed and recharged (68%).
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