Window or aisle seat? Road trip or riding the rails? International or local?
Our Canadian travel experts share their thoughts on what travel could look like in our new normal.

Lauren Yakiwchuk
Blogger and Content Creator at Justin Plus Lauren and Ontario Hiking

Perhaps I'm feeling hopeful, but I believe that 2022 will mark the return of international travel. Local trips, outdoor adventures, and road trips will still play a key role this year. However, people will start to become more confident in planning trips that require flights, whether it's across Canada or overseas. Travellers will embark on road trips and visit the great outdoors, choosing less crowded places and nature over the bigger cities. 
justinpluslauren.com ontariohiking.com 

Paula Worthington
Freelance Travel Writer and Principal of Worthington PR & Story

Canadians will be looking forward to exploring new parts of our country, with a strong desire towards trips that focus on wellness, nature, the outdoors and small group opportunities. A sense of safety will continue to be paramount. Last-minute bookings will likely be popular, along with destinations that allow for natural social distancing. I hope Canadians who have the opportunity to travel can be mindful of supporting local economies and treading responsibly, wherever they choose to roam.
worthingtonpr.com 

Craig Silva
Travel Writer & Digital Strategist

Families will book all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean and Mexico, Caribbean Cruises, Florida Keys, and Southern California. Singles and couples will book Vegas, Europe, or Asia Pacific. Once border restrictions are lifted, Canadians will take road trips to Florida and Myrtle Beach. Folks in Ontario will take advantage of the "Ontario Staycation Tax Credit" program.
bigdaddykreativ.ca 

Arienne Parzei 
Travel videographer & content creator at SeeYouSoon Travel

2022 will continue to see the desire for travellers to stay close to home and explore their ‘own backyards’. Local travel saw quite the increase in 2021 and will continue to do so in 2022 as travellers discover what their nearby cities and provinces/states have to offer. Staying in small BnBs or renting private accommodations will be the preferred way to stay, and travellers will opt more for outdoor activities and experiences. youtube.com/seeyousoonca

Christoper Mitchell
Founder of Traveling Mitch, Co-founder of Ultimate Ontario

I believe local travel will remain the primary focus, but many people will also be afforded the opportunity to look beyond their borders for the first time in a long while. It may be for skiing or hiking, as opposed to museum hopping, but it’ll be a step in the right direction nonetheless. 
travelingmitch.com

Jennifer Merrick
Freelance Travel Writer

Restrictions will ease, which has already begun (the UK, for instance, lifted testing requirements for vaccinated travellers as of February). Other countries, including Canada, will follow suit. The travel window will open earlier and wider. And for this traveller, whose wings have been clipped for too long, I can’t wait to fly out.
jennifermerrick.contently.com

Eric Magnan
Travel Media Relations Officer, Parks Canada

From what I hear/see and from what I am planning for the coming summer, it’s going to be a summer of road trips. On a personal level, there are so many places within a 5-6 hour drive from Ottawa that I want to visit, and I know a lot of people who are still reluctant to take the plane or go on cruises due to the current COVID/Omicron situation.
pc.gc.ca

Suzie Loiselle 
Media Relations Manager, Le Québec maritime

I predict that slow and experiential travel are travellers’ choices to immerse themselves in the daily life of their destinations. They are ready to safely plan road trips or work-cations to explore their dream destinations. People will look for outdoor activities to get closer to nature. Bon voyage!
quebecmaritime.ca

Claudia Laroye
Travel Writer & Editor at Claudia Travels

My crystal ball has been shrouded in pandemic fog for two years, but I see glimmers of light on the travel horizon. Road trips and outdoor activities will remain popular. Canadians will start to cautiously plan and book (fully refundable) trips to favourite destinations like Mexico, Hawaii and continental United States. claudiatravels.com 

Jerry Grymek
Vice-President, Client Services, LMA Communications

As travel continues to return, 2022 is ripe for wellness and rejuvenation travel. So many have had their lives uprooted that they need to re-adjust themselves during this difficult time. I can see a rise in areas with more nature, open spaces, and ones that are not over-populated.
lma.ca 

Liz Fleming
Travel journalist and host of the Liz Fleming Travels Show on iHeart Radio

The pandemic taught us one good thing: most of us don’t need to be in an office to work. My prediction is that more people than ever before will blend work with longer trips, enjoying the freedom of zoom connections while strolling the beach, or hitting the ski hills.  
iheartradio.ca/610cktb/shows/liz-fleming-travels-1.10587817

Adrian Brijbassi
Co-founder & Editor, vacay.ca

Vacay.ca just published our annual ranking of 20 Best Places to Travel in Canada and the focus for 2022 is on Indigenous tourism experiences. It's a fast-growing sector but more importantly tourism brings uplift to Indigenous communities, not only economically but emotionally. Interest from non-Indigenous Canadians helps Indigenous communities heal and continue the practice of keeping their cultures alive. That positivity benefits the nation in many ways. 
vacay.ca

Noelle Aune
Principal at Noelle Aune Communications

For 2022, expect to see many great Canadian road trips as I feel people will continue to explore Canada this year. As a native Calgarian, the Stampede is close to my heart and if you can make it, I encourage you to do so. Venturing into Waterton Lakes National Park and the Kootenays, or any other Canadian National Park, is a great way to experience our country.
linkedin.com/in/noelleaune