Results show that Ontario is the preferred destination for Canadians who travel in this country
IAN STALKER
More of us have certainly viewed Toronto’s CN Tower in the past two years than Dawson City’s Klondike gold fields. And those of us who do vacation in our homeland aren’t apparently adverse to chowing down on Timbits or poutine while touring this broad country.
A nationwide survey released by TIAC — which works to attract foreign travellers to this country and convince Canadians to vacation in their own homeland — in June showed Ontario topped the list of this country’s most-visited jurisdictions by Canadians in the past two years, with 39% of respondents having visited the huge province.
British Columbia took second place, with 31% of respondents reporting that they had visited that westernmost province, while Alberta was third at 29%.
Conversely, only 1% said that they had been in the Yukon, the same figure that said they had gone to the Northwest Territories. The two territories’ remote locations would explain why they only saw small percentages of the travelling public.
Ontario residents will likely continue to host large numbers of their fellow Canadians, topping the Most Likely to Visit list. It again was followed by B.C. and then Quebec.
The Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut trailed all 10 provinces when it came to planned visits, with their locations undoubtedly discouraging many from heading to the far north.
Opportunities to explore our own country, this country’s political stability and environmental responsibility were all major factors when it came to reasons to travel within this country, while barriers to a Canadian holiday included a wish to save money, the time required for travel and the cost of airfares.
Image-wise, B.C. again came out on top, with 65% of those who replied to the survey having a good or very good image of it, while Ontario saw 62% of us give it the thumbs-up, and Quebec was in third spot, with 53% of those replying giving it a good or very good rating.
Meanwhile, we appear to be a sociable bunch, with seeing friends or relatives being the top reason for travel within Canada, chosen by 36% of survey participants. Eighteen percent cited spontaneous vacations as the reason for hitting the road within Canada.
And what do we like to do when we reach our Canadian destination? Well, trying local food was the came out on top when it came to popular activities, while hiking or walking in nature was the second-most popular choice at 10% and visiting amusement/theme parks was third, with 8% saying it was their preferred activity.
The survey focused on what was described as “the perceptions, intentions and behaviours of Canadian travel consumers with a post-Covid mindset.”
It questioned 2,500 people in December and the method used was said to be accurate within 2% to 3% “19 of 20 times.”
