What it measures
Dimension: Participation
This indicator identifies the average number of nights Canadians spend on vacations away from their homes each year at destinations 80 kilometres or more away from home. The average number of nights per trip decreased nearly by half between 2008 and 2011 – likely in response to having less available income due to the global financial crisis of 2008. Fortunately, more recent data suggests that this percentage has steadily increased for the past three years. People under 45 years old tend to take shorter trips compared to older adults. This may be a result of family and work responsibilities, or it could be that younger people generally have less money to spend on vacation travel than people who are older.
Why this matters
Taking a vacation is linked to better health, reduced work-life conflict, stronger feelings of happiness, and higher levels of life satisfaction. Most importantly, a vacation allows Canadians the opportunity to take break from the routine of daily life. This provides a chance to meet new people and see new places, and often leads to a feeling of refreshment and revitalization once a person returns home to their regular routine.