TORONTO: With the first official long weekend of summer around the corner, Canadians are looking forward to getting behind the wheel, hitting the open road and exploring our country’s many hidden treasures.
And, while road trips have long been a Canadian summer staple, a recent national survey has discovered that this year’s family vacation may look a little different, with almost three-quarters (74%) of Canadians having changed their summer travel plans due to the pandemic.
With a desire to explore locally and reconnect with family, friends and nature, the day trip has emerged as this summer’s new preferred getaway, according to a national survey conducted by Ipsos on behalf of Toyota Canada.
Day trips are the new road trip With only a quarter (24%) of Canadians saying they’d feel comfortable taking a plane at the moment, it’s clear the car will be the go-to mode of transportation for the summer of 2020. The majority (70%) of Canadians, however, feel comfortable travelling by car outside of their city or town, and almost half (49%) are planning at least one day trip over the next two months.
This year, though, Canadians are looking for closer-to-home destinations to explore, with less than half (42%) comfortable venturing out of their province and only 21% who would visit the U.S in the near future. Of those planning to hit the road this summer, most are opting to stay within a 100km radius of home, making day trips the new preferred excursion.
Staying safe Just because Canadians will be taking to the road this summer does not mean they are throwing caution to the wind when it comes to COVID-19. An overwhelming majority (94%) of those planning a road trip say they will be taking extra precautions. Of those going on a road trip, two-thirds (65%) say they will limit contact with people outside their immediate circle and limit their exposure to crowds (64%).
Other precautions Canadians plan to take on their road trips include wearing a mask while out in public (54%) and taking extra time to clean and disinfect surfaces inside the car (43%). “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.
A simpler summer After the past three months that Canadians are craving connection, making visiting family and friends this summer (53%) the primary purpose of their road trips. Additional road trip destinations include exploring another city or town (51%), visiting a beach (41%), discovering a national/provincial park (42%), or settling in at a campground (38%) or cabin (23%). Regardless of the destination, Canadians are planning a simpler summer, filled with memory-making adventures as they explore all that Canada has to offer.
“What a difference a year can make,” said Beatty, referring to the national IPSOS survey commissioned by Toyota Canada in 2019 that predicted the “demise of the Canadian road trip” due to soaring gas prices.
While Canadians across the country will be taking to their cars, trucks and SUVs this summer, there are some interesting provincial differences:
• Atlantic Canadians have the highest number of trips planned this summer, with 50% of respondents planning to hit the road.
• Despite the pandemic, 74% of Quebecers feel comfortable travelling outside their city or
town and 45% feel comfortable travelling outside the province.
• Ontarians crave their cars the most, with 54% stating that staying at home during the pandemic has made them miss driving.
• B.C. residents are taking the most precautions on road, with 78% limiting contact with people outside their circle.- CNW