Toronto, Ontario — With the long weekend right around the corner, Canadians are eager to get behind the wheel and hit the open road, says a new national survey.
While road trips have long been a Canadian summer staple, the survey conducted by Ipsos on behalf of Toyota Canada has discovered that this year’s family vacation may look a little different. With 74 percent of Canadians having changed their summer travel plans due to the pandemic.
The study suggests day-trips will be the new go-to-vacation of the summer, with only 24 percent of Canadians saying they would feel comfortable taking a plane with the on-going pandemic. The majority (70%) of Canadians, however, feel comfortable travelling by car outside of their city or town, and almost half are planning at least one day trip over the next two months.
The difference is, this year, Canadians are looking for closer-to-home destinations to explore, with 42 percent comfortable venturing out of their province and only 21 percent who would visit the U.S in the near future. Of those planning to hit the road this summer, most are planning to stay within a 100km radius of home, making day trips the new preferred excursion.
Although many Canadians will be taking to the road this summer, this does not mean they are throwing their COVID-19 cautions to the wind. As 94 percent of those planning a road trip say they will be taking extra precautions to protect both themselves and those around them. Of those going on a road trip, 65 percent say they will limit contact with people outside their immediate circle and limit their exposure to crowds.
“While this may not be the summer we had all envisioned, we’re excited to see Canadians getting back behind the wheel, slowing life down and exploring more of the incredible beauty Canada has to offer,” says Stephen Beatty, Vice President, Corporate at Toyota Canada. “Whether it’s a quick day trip or a longer journey, there is no shortage of amazing, off-the-beaten-path treasures that offer great fun without the crowds. As we continue to adjust to the new normal, the road trip is a great option for Canadians who want to get away safely, experience a change of scenery and start making new memories with loved ones again.”
