'Tis the Season to Travel

Expedia.ca Holi-Data Survey Finds Seventy-One Per Cent of Canadians Agree That a Vacation Would Relieve Stress Around the Holidays

TORONTO, ON--(Marketwired - Nov 24, 2014) - According to a recent survey from Canada's leading online travel provider*, Expedia.ca™, travel is on the mind for six out of ten Canadians this holiday season as 29 per cent are planning to travel and another 29 per cent wish they could be travelling. Whether travelling to visit family and friends (18 per cent) or for a vacation getaway (11 per cent), a large majority of Canadians (71 per cent) agree that a vacation would help relieve stress associated with the holiday season.

With one in two Canadians claiming they find the holiday season stressful, 40 per cent have previously turned to travel to escape the holiday chaos. Expedia.ca Managing Director, Sean Shannon, agrees that travel is an ideal option for those looking for a less hectic holiday break.

"It's no surprise that we can all get a bit stressed around the holidays. Between all the planning, prepping and running around, we often find little time for ourselves during this busy time of year," said Shannon. "Expedia.ca offers Canadians a cost effective escape from the hustle and bustle of it all. Whether you're looking to 'fly and flop' on a sunny beach or explore the sights and sounds of an urban getaway, we offer more than 400 airlines and 365,000 hotels, providing Canadians with plenty of options and deals for them to enjoy their break."

For those planning to travel this holiday season, 49 per cent will be doing so with the family while another 31 per cent will be travelling with their spouse. When it comes to what they'll enjoy most about travelling during the holidays, 38 per cent said they look forward to getting away with family and friends, followed closely by being able to rest and relax (34 per cent), while one in five (21 per cent) are eager to use this time to explore new locations.

WHERE ARE CANADIANS GOING THIS HOLIDAY SEASON?
The holiday season is the busiest time of year for the travel industry according to the Travel Industry Council of Ontario and Expedia.ca agrees. This year is no different than others with December 20, the Saturday before Christmas, holding strong as the busiest travel day for Canadians flying to their holiday destinations**.

According to Expedia.ca, Canadians who are planning to travel this holiday season by plane will mostly be visiting sunny locations south of the border. The top 10 destinations for Canadians this holiday season, based on Expedia.ca bookings, include**: