Will The Cost Of COVID Testing Slow Canada’s Travel Rebound?

An informal survey of travel professionals and typical travellers reveals diverse opinions on how the cost of COVID testing – both coming and going – will impact the winter travel plans of Canadians.

Everybody agrees on one thing: the extra cost of COVID testing is a top-of-mind issue as we head into peak winter travel season in a reopening world.

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Some destinations require a negative COVID test to be presented on arrival. The U.S. will be one of them as of November 8, when all air travellers entering the country must supply both proof of vaccination and a negative rapid antigen test.

The good news is that for many Canadians, the rapid antigen tests required by the U.S. and some other destinations are readily available at major drug store chains across Canada starting at around $40.

Other major sun destinations are taking different approaches. Mexico requires neither vaccination proof or testing. Jamaica requires an antigen test but no vaccination proof. The Dominican Republic doesn’t require vaccination proof, but if you show it you can be exempted from testing. Cuba requires vaccination proof or a negative PCR test. Barbados wants both.

That’s just getting there.

To return home, Canadians must have a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival. That’s where things can get really costly – depending on the destination, PCR test prices are as low as US$35 per person (Cuba) and as high as US$250.

Richard Vanderlubbe, president of online retailer TripCentral.ca, says Canadians are eager to travel, and many are willing to spend a bit more thanks to savings from staying home during the pandemic. But he says the Canadian PCR test requirement is an obstacle.

“Is it a factor? You bet. Especially to a destination that also requires an advance test. Two adults travelling together? S400 to $800 more than normal added to the trip. If you’re footing the bill for more people, it’s more of a factor.”

With some still leery about travel, Vanderlubbe worries that the PCR test could be one hurdle too many.

“Often it’s the last straw to some lingering concern and worry about the trip still cancelling after all. Too much hassle for some. But others that normally travel more often will pay anything. Classic elasticity of demand.”

Ron Dawick, president of Uniglobe Adventure House Travel, says the PCR test requirement is complicating travel, especially for groups.

“Because Canada is one of the few places requiring PCR testing, costs will continue to rise. So will difficulties with sourcing the tests and with scheduling them within the required time. We have done six international groups since July and many have encountered different challenges.”

Some travel advisors say Canada’s PCR requirement is costing them business.

“My clients are saying that they are anxiously waiting for the Canadian government to have this required test for entry back to Canada lifted now that being double vaccinated will soon be a requirement to travel,” says Newfoundland-based The Travel Agent Next Door member Arlene Peddle Gibbons.

“It is an expensive cost added to the vacation especially when you have larger families. It is a deterrent at the moment for new inquiries and bookings,” Gibbons adds.

Ottawa-based Pat Evans, also a TTAND agent, says the PCR test is a deal-breaker for some clients.

“I have been told that a fee charged by an agent plus the cost of testing and possibly transportation to where the test would be done takes away from what they can afford for a sun holiday.”

As with many things about travelling during COVID, the lack of a standardized approach is creating confusion and doubt.

“Pricing is all over the place,” says TTAND’s Coreen Doucett. “Cuba was US$35. I heard of a client paying $250 in Cabo. Azul in Negril is US$112.”

To get a consumer perspective, TravelPulse Canada spoke to some potential travellers.

“I was going to take my family of five to Las Vegas, but decided to cancel due to the cost of the test,” said Ian Wilson, a podiatrist in Peterborough, Ontario. “I was looking at $200-$300 per adult to get back into Canada.”

According to some we spoke to, there’s a segment of the population so desperate to get away that they’re will to pay whatever it takes.

“I’m not a travel agent, but speaking for my fiancé and I, I can tell you that we are so desperate to travel that we would give a kidney if we had to at this point,” said Peterborough’s Melinda Trudeau.

Chris Ryall is a freelance travel writer who has been back on the road for the past couple of months, and has experienced a wide range of regulations in different destinations. He thinks the Canadian rules should evolve now that the vast majority of citizens are vaccinated.

“For a couple or family of four (a PCR test) can be a huge cost as well as arranging the tests in the proper time frame. I'm hoping Canada gets on board and as a compromise just require a rapid antigen test instead of the PCR test.”