by Jen Mallia
Last updated: 3:15 AM ET, Wed October 21, 2026
Many Canadians book winter vacations to relax, finds a new Ipsos poll commissioned by Air Canada this fall. No other reason came close for the 72 percent of respondents who said relaxing and recharging are important considerations when choosing a destination.
For many, returning to familiar destinations doesn’t hold the same appeal as discovering somewhere new. While not quite one in four respondents prefer to return to the same destination or rotate among a small number of preferred getaways, over half (55 percent) said there are many winter destinations they have yet to explore. For 36 percent, the appeal of trying somewhere new is the chance they will find a new favourite.
“Canadians love their favourite winter escapes, but our research shows many are curious about destinations beyond the familiar,” said Mark Galardo, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, and President, Cargo at Air Canada.
According to the survey, more than one-third say destinations in Central and South America, (including Colombia and Peru) and in the Asia-Pacific region feel unfamiliar, but are places they would still like to visit.
Other popular destinations included Hawaii at the top of intended future destinations at 49 percent, followed by Costa Rica at 47 percent and Australia at 41 percent.
AIr Canada says the research suggests that Canadians are interested but may be more hesitant when destinations feel unfamiliar.
“Our expanded winter network is designed to offer our customers more choice, more non-stop options and more opportunities to discover somewhere new, while continuing to serve the destinations Canadians return to year after year – with the confidence that comes from travelling with Air Canada,” says Galardo.
New routes that have been announced for the coming season include:
- From Montréal: Tenerife, Roatán, Santo Domingo Quito and Aruba
- From Toronto: Tenerife, Roatán, Quito and Mérida
- From Vancouver: Mazatlán, Monterrey, Liberia and Puerto Escondido
- From Calgary: Cancún and Puerto Vallarta
- From Edmonton: Montego Bay
- From Winnipeg: Montego Bay and Punta Cana
- From Québec City: Pointe-à-Pitre
- From Halifax: Bridgetown
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