Quebec vacation budgets stalled as inflation erodes summer plans
The average Québecer plans to spend $2,095 this summer—unchanged for the first time in five years, as travel costs surge.
The day's top stories, food & events — every morning at 7. Unsubscribe anytime.
Quebecers are heading into summer travel season with stalled vacation budgets and shrinking purchasing power, according to a new CAA-Quebec survey.
The average amount Quebecers plan to spend on vacations this year remains at $2,095—the first time in five years that the average budget has failed to increase. While spending has plateaued, the cost of travel has continued to climb, leaving vacationers in what CAA-Quebec describes as "holiday reducflation," paying more while getting less in return.
Sixty per cent of Quebecers say inflation is forcing them to rethink their vacation plans. Among those affected, more than one-third plan to reduce their vacation spending and stay closer to home. Fuel prices are playing a significant role: more than half of respondents said high gasoline prices are influencing their vacation planning after prices at the pump surged amid geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and disruptions to global oil transportation routes.
Despite the financial pressures, vacations remain a priority for many households. Nearly seven in 10 Quebecers say they plan to take a vacation this summer. The most popular destinations remain within the province: Charlevoix tops the list, followed by the Gaspé Peninsula and the Quebec City region. For travel elsewhere in Canada, Ontario and the Maritime provinces are the leading choices. Only four per cent of Quebecers surveyed said they plan to visit the United States this summer, unchanged from last year.
One notable shift: Quebecers are increasingly avoiding the traditional construction holiday period. Only 26 per cent plan to vacation during that time this year, down from previous summers. August has become the preferred month for travel, with 47 per cent of vacationers choosing to get away after the construction break, up from 40 per cent in 2025. June is also gaining popularity, with one-quarter of Quebecers planning early summer vacations. The survey, conducted by Leger on behalf of CAA-Quebec, polled 1,000 Quebec adults between April 23 and May 3.