New research from the Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO) confirms strong travel intentions by Ontarians this spring and summer. But the survey also found that travellers are concerned about potential travel issues like delays and cancellations.

The survey of 1,200 Ontarians found that 68% intend to travel within Ontario during the spring and summer months, 51% intend to journey across Canada, and 47% intend to pack their bags for an international trip.

As Ontarians increasingly resume travel, 71% of respondents feel that the process is more complex now than it was prior to the start of the pandemic.

"Ontarians are ready to travel but they are also deeply aware of the complexities in today's travel environment," said Richard Smart, president and CEO, TICO.

"Travellers can feel confident and have peace of mind knowing that TICO registered travel agencies, booking websites and tour operators will provide them with crucial information and added consumer protection. In instances where issues arise, by booking with an Ontario-based company, TICO is here to help resolve the matter."

The survey found that for 65% of respondents, the biggest travel concern is having their plans cancelled or delayed due to forces beyond their control. For 60% of respondents, being stranded away from home is a concern.

The survey also found 65% of respondents are concerned about protecting their travel investment. Compared to pre-pandemic, 73% of respondents agreed they are more likely to book travel plans with flexible rebooking and cancellation policies. Additionally, 78% of respondents expect to be fully refunded or offered other similar travel if their original plans are cancelled for any reason, outside of them cancelling the trip.

When considering a travel purchase, Ontarians chose these five attributes as being most important to them:

Destination (86%)

Price (86%)

Accommodation (84%)

The travel experience (81%)

Mode of travel (76%)

Respondents also noted that they considered the potential for extreme weather conditions (66%) and being eco-friendly (35%) in their purchase decision.

Nearly 60% of respondents noted that COVID safety/restrictions continue to be important considerations in their travel purchase decision, down from 81% in 2021.

When making a travel purchase, 62% of respondents said they consider the availability of consumer protection. Additionally, 66% of respondents say that they consider the reputation of the travel agent or tour operator they are booking with.

The online survey was conducted by PMG Intelligence with 1,209 Ontario residents who lead or share travel decision making for their household. It was conducted between January 20-23, 2023.