Life is a highway, I wanna ride it...all over Quebec!
More Quebecers (62%) will be taking vacations in 2021 than last year (50%), when most people’s plans were affected by the uncertainty of the pandemic. And according to the findings of CAA-Quebec’s 12th annual vacation plans survey(1), they’ll be spending their vacations in Quebec and at home, taking it easy!
As the province begins to relax its public health restrictions around COVID-19, CAA-Quebec has noticed a wave of optimism in Quebecers’ vacation plans. In contrast to 2020, when only half of residents planned any sort of vacation, this summer a full 62% say they will. The recent trend of leaving in August instead of during the construction holidays continues.
Staycationing is the thing
Quebecers are definitely planning to spend their vacations in the province this year. The proportion who will spend their well-deserved break in Quebec is 83% this year, compared to 77% in 2020.
More than half (54%) of vacationers plan to travel to destinations within Quebec, up 8 points from 2020. Another 28% will take their time off at home, perhaps to enjoy the renovations they made last summer.
Whether they’re hitting the road or staying home, rest and relaxation will be on the agenda for about half (46%) of Quebecers this summer.
Where in Quebec? Drumroll please...
Here are the five most in-demand destinations for Quebecers planning to travel in-province:
1. Quebec City and Charlevoix 23%
2. Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean 16%
3. Eastern Townships 15%
4. Laurentians 14%
5. Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine 14%
In seventh place, the North Shore is drawing greater interest (11%) than in 2019 (4%).
To get to their destinations, 94% of summer travellers plan to drive. Recreational vehicles are hot and not cooling off any time soon, being the mode of choice for 10% of survey respondents in 2021 compared to 4% in 2020.
More nature, less time in traditional accommodations
Traditional accommodations such as hotels, motels, B&Bs, and vacation rentals will see fewer guests this year (21% of respondents plan to stay there compared to 38% in 2019), while outdoorsy options like campsites and outfitters are more popular this year (24% compared to 18% in 2019).
What are Quebecers doing this summer?
Quebecers plan to put their average summer vacation budget of $727 per person toward:
- Visiting family or friends (33%)
- Hiking (31%)
- Tourism (30%)
- Camping (24%)
- Taking a road trip (23%)
- Going to the beach (22%)
In a sign that things are starting to return to normal, 2% of Quebecers say they plan to participate in cultural events and even make them the focal point of their vacation.
In contrast, and perhaps due to the rising costs and growing shortages of building materials, the share of Quebecers planning to do work on their homes this summer has dropped to 9%, compared to 15% in 2020.
You’ll also see a few more bikes on the road this summer, as the proportion of vacationers whose primary activity will be biking is up this year (4% compared to 2% in 2020). Please remember to stay safe, share the road, and be courteous!
At CAA-Quebec, travel is in our DNA. Our travel counsellors are available to help clients with all their needs, from small trips to dream vacations. They can also answer questions about the new public health measures and what is and isn’t allowed at this time. Travellers who are ready to start planning their next escape will find a mine of information in the COVID-19 FAQs section of caaquebec.com.
About CAA-Québec
CAA-Quebec is a not-for-profit organization that assists each of its members by providing mobility, travel, insurance, and residential benefits, products, and services. CAA was named Canada’s most trusted brand in the annual Brand Trust Index for 2021 by the Peter B. Gustavson School of Business at the University of Victoria.
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(1) The survey was conducted by Léger on behalf of CAA-Quebec among an online panel of 1,000 respondents representative of the Quebec population, between May 07 and 16, 2021.