Trade tensions have more Canadians “staycationing” closer to home

The ongoing tensions over trade have Canadians – perhaps for the first time since COVID-era travel restrictions – seeing more of their home country at vacation time.

According to Global News, last year – according to AirBnB data – saw a 10 per cent jump “in Canadians booking within the country” compared to one year earlier.

So where, we wondered, is everyone going? We ourselves are back from a trip to Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, via Quebec, and saw many out-of-province plates on the highway.

According to 604 Now, the staycation trend is still booming in 2026.

Alexa Leung reports that, according to Statistics Canada, “travel is up 1.5 per cent from the same quarter in 2025, showing that folks are still travelling quite a lot this year.”

Home is where the vacation is for most of us, she continues.

“Canadian residents took 69.1 million trips that included a domestic visit. This is 2.3 per cent up on a year-over-year basis. On top of that, 48.8 million of the trips were same-day visits (+3.8 per cent), and 20.4 million were overnight visits (-1.2 per cent).”

Readers’ Digest Canada lists some of the top tourist destinations in our country.

Over in Alberta, the magazine begins, “set inside the borders of the vast Banff National Park, the area that surrounds the towns of Banff and Lake Louise is one of the best places to visit in Canada. Here you’ll find a Rocky Mountain wonderland; a place of electric-blue glacial lakes, waterfalls, abundant wildlife (from elk to bighorn sheep to grizzly bears) and breathtaking grandeur.”

Farther north in the Yukon is Kluane National Park, where the magazine notes there are “22,000 square kilometres of blue glaciers, lush valleys and untamed territory (that) can be seen from the sky, aboard a helicopter or an airplane equipped with skis (which allow high-altitude snow landings).”

Further to the east is Cavendish, P.E.I, Readers’ Digest Canada reports.

“A spread of reddish sand skirting cool Atlantic waters, backed by dunes and green rolling hills, there are few better places to visit in Canada than Cavendish. But while the temptation to linger on the beach may be strong, a trip to this beach would not be complete without exploring the historical landmarks nearby, including Green Gables Heritage Place — the muse of Lucy Maude Montgomery and home to the Island’s most famous fictional resident.”

The folks at Now magazine provide a few additional ideas.

“Clear blue water does not have to mean a flight to Greece! Bruce Peninsula National Park, , located on Georgian Bay (in Ontario), is being highlighted for its beautiful scenery, including aqua waters, natural beauty, and a summer escape that still feels far from the city,” the magazine tells us.

And rather than journeying to the Adirondacks in northeastern U.S.A., “for a mountain getaway with scenery and resort-style vibes, Charlevoix, Quebec, is recommended,” the magazine adds.

And finally, Now adds, “for travellers chasing Celtic culture, coastal drives and world-class gold, Cape Breton is one of the strongest Canadian alternatives. Check out Cabot Links and Cabot Cliffs, both recognized among the world’s top 100 golf courses.”

We are blessed with a large, beautiful country that features endless wonderful vistas. We are reminded of the drive from Sault Ste. Marie to Thunder Bay, north of Lake Superior, featuring gorgeous fjords and cliffs and a view of the dazzling lake.

Or, entering the prairies for the first time from the Ontario side in eastern Manitoba, with its big sky and land that rolls out to the horizon. Or seeing the Northern Lights – for real, close up – on the highway from Lloydminster to Saskatoon in Saskatchewan.

See as much of our country as you can.

If you’re travelling in retirement, a little extra retirement income will be very handy. If you have a workplace retirement program of any type, be sure you have joined up and are contributing to the max.

Alternatively, you can set up your own program via the Saskatchewan Pension Plan. Any Canadian with available registered retirement savings plan (RRSP) room can join – your annual contribution can be any amount you choose up to the maximum.

You can also consolidate your retirement nest egg by transferring money in from other unlocked RRSPs you may have.

With your savings to grow, SPP’s investment professionals will invest your hard-saved dollars in our low-cost, diversified, pooled funds. At retirement, income options include the security of a lifetime monthly annuity payment or the flexibility of the Variable Benefit.

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