Search KamloopsBCNow
After three years of COVID, British Columbians are breaking loose this March break to globetrot in a pent up burst of 'revenge travel.'
It's the trend of people booking and taking big and dreamy trips to take revenge against the pandemic.
KAYAK, the world's leading travel search engine, has deemed 2023 the year of 'revenge travel'.
KAYAK backs that up with the statistics that searches for international flights by Canadians is double what it was last year.
The search engine localizes the data a little more with some numbers that show demand for international flights in Vancouver is up 75% compared to the same time last year.
This, despite the fact that airfares tend to be 12% to 21% more than last year.
It just goes to prove that many British Columbians are making travel happen for themselves, regardless.
The top trending March break destinations from Vancouver based on year-over-year increases in KAYAK searches are:
1. Los Angeles, 185% year-over-year increase
2. Las Vegas, 130%
3. Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo, 117%
4. Phoenix, 109%
5. Maui, 82%
6. London, England, 75%
7. Puerto Vallarta, 65%
8. Palm Springs, 58%
9. Bangkok, 52%
10. Manila, 29%
Sun destinations like California, Mexico and Hawaii are traditional March break fare and are well represented on the list.
But, the list also shows that British Columbians are into some sun and gambling in Sin City, seeking European flair and culture shock and heat in Southeast Asia.
Bangkok likely made the list because Air Canada recently started the only non-stop flights from North America to Thailand with its four-times-a-week service between Vancouver and Bangkok.
Moving beyond March break, the top-five trending international destinations for Canadians in 2023, according to KAYAK year-over-year search increases, are:
1. Manila, 287% year-over-year increase
2. Tokyo, 279%
3. Bangkok, 229%
4. Lisbon, 163%
5. Mumbai, 161%
The top-five deal destinations for 2023, according to KAYAK-tracked average drop in airfare compared to last year, are:
1. Melbourne, down 10%
2. Tahiti, down 9%
3. Copenhagen, down 8%
4. Split, Croatia, down 5%
5. Brisbane, down 5%