Canadian Travel Advisors Weigh In: Are Winter Sun Plans Shifting Amid Caribbean Concerns?

Recent reports indicate that Canadian travellers are showing caution toward Caribbean vacations this winter, as Canada’s travel advisory on Venezuela and a recent U.S. military strike in the region raise safety concerns.

We reached out to travel advisors across Canada to get their perspective on how these events are affecting bookings.

Geopolitical Context

As recently reported, Ottawa is urging Canadians to avoid all travel to Venezuela due to political instability and safety risks. The advisory coincided with a U.S. military strike in Venezuela, which temporarily disrupted Caribbean airspace and led to flight cancellations.

According to CBC News, these developments have prompted some travellers to rethink trips to traditional Caribbean hotspots such as Aruba, Curaçao, and the Dominican Republic.

CTV News reports that some Canadians are opting for longer-haul destinations instead of the Caribbean, even if it means higher costs or more complex travel arrangements.

Advisor Perspectives

Travel advisors across Canada told TravelPulse Canada that while cancellations are not widespread, hesitation and booking adjustments are becoming more common.

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“Clients are nervous about headlines they’ve seen," one advisor from Toronto shared. "Even though the destinations themselves are safe, the perception of risk is making them pause.”  

Based in Nova Scotia, Tina Steeves, Travel by Tina Marie (Fareconnect), said, “I have 10 clients who are supposed to go to Cuba in February and they are now looking at changing their booking to the DR or Mexico due to the political state. I still have folks travelling to Cuba though.”

Sandy McLary, The Travel Agent Next Door, noted, “These are not big sellers for sun destinations from Western Canada. I do have Columbia river cruise passengers booked that are quite concerned, but to date AMA Waterways has not cancelled any sailings.”

Another advisor in Calgary observed, “We’ve seen an uptick in requests for flexible booking options. People want the sun, but they want peace of mind too.”

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Hillary Childs, Travel Agent, Wood Travel & Cruise, added, “I had a client who was planning to book Bonaire for later this month. When Trump first stationed the aircraft carrier off Venezuela in the fall, they switched gears and booked Antigua and Dominica.”

Industry Response

Airlines, including Air Canada and WestJet, have introduced flexible rebooking policies for Caribbean flights during this period. Travel advisors say these measures are helping reassure clients and mitigate concerns about potential disruptions.

RELATED: Air Canada Offers Flexible Rebooking over Venezuelan Disruptions

While media coverage of Venezuela and related events has heightened awareness of potential risks, most Caribbean countries remain safe for Canadian travellers, and tourism infrastructure continues to operate normally.

Experts advise Canadians eyeing destinations near Venezuela to review travel advisories, consider cruises that can reroute away from unsafe ports, and ensure they have trip cancellation insurance.

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