Canadians value vacation time now more than before the pandemic

 

With the pandemic now approaching one full year, many Canadians are yearning for the days before COVID-19.

With the number of new cases consistently in the four-figure range in Canada's two most populous provinces, and many linked to new variants from the U.K. and South Africa, the Government of Canada elected to ban flights to sunny destinations until the spring.

As the pandemic drags on, many Canadians are feeling fatigue associated with nearly an entire year of restrictions and lockdowns--this year, Canadians are planning on taking an extra five days of vacation as a result.

Additionally, according to a study from Expedia, 83 per cent of Canadians said they now value vacation days more than ever.

Further, 66 per cent of respondents said the pandemic has inspired them to create a bucket list; the longer the pandemic has dragged on, the longer their bucket lists have grown--60 per cent said they have continued to add to their list as the weeks turned into months.

Based on the findings, 64 per cent of respondents find vacation time more valuable when they spend it with family, while 54 per cent said using their vacation time to relax and recharge is what makes them happiest--37 per cent said they just spent their most recent vacation time at home.

Moreover, the majority of respondents--75 per cent--said their employer was supportive of them taking vacation time.