Booking.com for Business Survey Reveals

Travel Preferences Among Canadian Professionals Differ Based on Industry

TORONTO, November 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Exploring a new destination is a top consideration for Canadians when extending their business trip 

Canadians value the opportunity to travel, both for business and leisure - and each profession is doing things differently.

New research from Booking.com for Business, the global leader in connecting business travellers with the widest choice of places to stay, reveals that over a quarter of (26%) of all working Canadian professionals accepted their job in part or fully because of opportunities to travel for work. In addition, over a third (36%) said they would actively pursue a new job if it meant they could travel even more.

But how do the industries Canadians work in shape their outlook towards business and leisure travel, and the increasing intersection of the two?

Professional preferences are reflected in leisure travel choices 

When looking across all professions, 73% of Canadian employees say making time for leisure travel gives them greater job satisfaction. What's more, for three quarters (75%), leisure travel helps them to better manage work stress and pressure. Not surprisingly, most prefer holidays that allow them to relax (50%) and spend time with their family (45%).

When looking at the type of holidays Canadian professional prefer, there are some differences across the various industries. Bankers and professional service workers prefer to take shopping-focused trips (39%), while those in manufacturing and logistics seek outdoor activities at their destinations (34%) and nearly a fifth (18%) of retail and sale professionals enjoy organized tours to explore their new surroundings.  

In looking at preferred accommodation types and amenities, unique trends emerged across professions. Over a quarter (28%) of both Canadian technology and computing professionals as well as medical and health workers love accommodations with 'local charm'. A comfortable bed was a top priority for Canadian professionals across several industries including healthcare (77%), government (76%) and retail (76%). Over a third (39%) of those in local or national government enjoy 'all-inclusive' accommodations, while education professionals' preferences are geared towards a luxurious bathroom (20%), a hearty breakfast (57%) and close proximity to green spaces (27%).