Tourism study shows low interest but could be a Niagara Falls bonanza

A study from travel insurance company, hellosafe.ca, shows that Ontarians aren’t all that keen on vacationing this summer.

With only 22.2 percent of Ontario residents saying they’ll head out for vacation, that means 77.8 per cent of the province’s families are opting to just stay home.

The reasons are varied, including ongoing economic uncertainties, lingering concerns over public health, and the desire to prioritize safety and well-being.

However, of that Ontario percentage who are traveling this summer, 41.2 per cent are staying put in Ontario. While cottage country will be an obvious choice, the same study suggests they may want to keep it closer to home.

“It seems that a significant shift has occurred among Ontarians this summer. The prevailing sentiment reveals a notable decline in vacation plans among residents of Ontario,” said HelloSafe spokesperson Alexandre Desoutter.

“This shift reflects a cautious approach by Ontarians who are prioritizing their immediate surroundings and seeking alternative ways to unwind and rejuvenate closer to home.”

With seven million of Ontario’s 14.5 total population living in the Greater Toronto Area, that means Niagara Falls will be an obvious choice for many with its proximity.

In the study, 41.2 per cent of Ontarians said they’d be staying in the province, 17.6 per cent would be heading to a different province, 14.7 per cent will opt for Europe, another 11.8 per cent are eyeing South American while just 8.8 per cent are looking towards the United States.

For tourism destinations, another positive number is that 38.2 per cent of those vacationers said they’d be spending more than $1,500 per person on vacations.

To see the full study, click HERE.