Passport to Wellbeing: Travel as Medicine

What if the most uplifting remedy for modern-day overload wasn’t found on a therapist’s couch, but in a boarding pass?

Moving into 2026, travel is emerging as an important form of non-medical therapy, with a growing number of Canadians planning escapes that help them recharge, reconnect and feel more like themselves. In fact, the vast majority of Canadians consider time away to be a vital part of their self-care routines and nearly seven in 10 believe doctors should be able to prescribe vacations.

At Flight Centre, we see the power of travel every day: how it changes people and renews their sense of purpose. Ultimately, it’s less about the destination you choose, and more about how you feel when you get there.

In today’s world, joy is essential. And travel is how we find it.

Medical tourism may be experiencing exponential growth, but there’s a different type of treatment that’s gaining traction among Canadians: the journey itself.

Today, 82% of Canadians view vacations as essential to their health and wellbeing, not a luxury. The belief is strongest among men (85%) and baby boomers (84%), while 86% of Gen X say travel is built right into their self-care routine.

Nearly seven in 10 (69%) believe that doctors should be able to prescribe vacations as medicine, much like how they can now write a script for time in nature via PaRx. And it's not just a personal preference — it's a cultural shift. Millennials in particular (79%) would support this movement. 

When given the choice between a therapy session or a vacation, an overwhelming 87% of Canadians would pack their bags. And for Gen X — the “sandwich generation” that’s juggling the demands of raising kids while also caring for aging parents — that number soars even higher to 91%.

Canadians are incredibly resilient. Yet, three in 10 rate their current level of wellbeing as fair (running low and could use a break) or poor (burnt out or exhausted). For Gen X, the number climbs to 42%.

Top stressors are cited as financial pressure and rising costs (58%), news fatigue or global uncertainty (39%), and family or caregiving load (30%). Women experience significantly more drain from family or caregiving load (35% vs. 25% of men), while men have more news fatigue (46% vs. 34% of women).

Perhaps the biggest barrier to a truly regenerative trip is the inability to log off. Even as the “right to disconnect” movement grows around the world, many Canadians find that stepping away from work is easier said than done.

One in four (25%) say their workplace makes it difficult to disconnect. In BC, 33% say fully clocking out is a challenge.

The pressure doesn’t stop there. More than a quarter of Canadians (28%) admit they feel guilty taking time off because someone else will have to cover for them. That guilt hits women hardest: 34% feel this way compared to just 22% of men. 

Even when people do manage to get away, many don’t leave work behind for long. Over half of Canadians (51%) check email while they’re on vacation with 16% confessing they do it secretly after promising to stay logged off. Another 35% openly let colleagues know they’ll be reachable, never taking the full break they deserve.

This isn't just about overwork. It's about boundaries. Gen Z is the most likely to feel the toll of digital connection: 37% cite it as a major strain compared to 32% of millennials, 22% of Gen X and just 10% of baby boomers.

In 2026, Canadians are rewriting what success looks like. Half (49%) of Canadian workers would trade a 10% raise for two extra weeks of vacation, including one in five (20%) who say they definitely would.

Gen Z in particular wishes to redefine their work-life balance through travel, treating trips as a core part of their identity and integral to their mental health. They’re the most likely of all demographics to trade a raise for extra vacation (66%, compared to millennials at 54%, Gen X at 41% and baby boomers at 36%).

This isn’t theoretical. It’s happening now. Canadians are aligning time off with their health goals: most will opt for a short local break or staycation (40%) in 2026, while 29% will choose a proper vacation or getaway and 11% will unplug with a digital detox. Unfortunately, for one in five (20%), no pause is possible.

Even with rising costs, the majority (71%) say they don’t feel guilty for booking time away. Among men, that confidence climbs to 76%. It seems that Canadians are done apologizing for taking a well-deserved break.

Wellness travel isn’t one-size-fits-all. While wellness tourism has exploded globally, only 10% of Canadian travel intenders would choose an experience focused solely on activities like meditation, yoga and spa treatments. Instead, they’re after vacations that feel restful and restorative to them, with many craving a major dose of vitamin D, fresh air, deep connection and meaningful moments.

Here’s how Canadians ranked vacations when asked to choose their top two most likely trips for 2026:

• Beach or resort escapes — 32%
• Nature or wilderness trips — 21%
• Cultural or heritage trips — 19%
• Multigenerational trips or family reunions — 17%
• Solo or self-discovery journeys — 12%
• Cruises (ocean or river) — 12%
• Culinary or wine experiences — 12%
• Adventure or active travel — 11%
• Wellness or restorative retreats — 10%
• Sports or events travel — 8%
• Hobby-based trips — 7%

Of course, Gen Z does things a little differently. They’re the least likely group to opt for a beach or resort escape (19%) and most likely of all demographics to lean into culinary or wine travel (21%), solo travel (18%) and adventure travel (16%). 

The verdict is in: sun-drenched beach breaks, nature escapes and culture-packed excursions are the getaways Canadians are craving most this year.

Here are the destinations and experiences Flight Centre’s Travel Experts recommend:

For those seeking lots of sun, endless sandy beaches and zero responsibilities, these destinations won’t disappoint.

• Mazatlán and Huatulco, Mexico: Discover underrated gems for slower rhythms, nature and quiet beach stays.
• Maui and Oʻahu, Hawai‘i: Both islands offer laidback vibes, sunset views, warm aloha spirit and space to just be.
• Fiji: The place to be if you prefer healing through nature and connection. Think turquoise waters, family-friendly resorts and stress-free travel thanks to new direct flights from YVR. 

Take a deep breath and reconnect with the earth, as well as your mind, body and spirit in these wildly beautiful destinations.

• Canada: From Yukon’s Northern Lights to Nova Scotia’s lighthouses, domestic wilderness offers big-sky clarity close to home.
• New Zealand: Here, adventure is therapy. Kayak Milford Sound, soak in geothermal pools and walk in the footsteps of Māori stories.
• Costa Rica: Thanks to new direct flights, Canadians are embracing “pura vida” through cloud forest hikes, hot springs and slow mornings.

Want to broaden your mind? These destinations will provide an immersive education in art, history and heritage.

• Ireland: A top spot for ancestral travel, Ireland boasts historic sites that date back 5,000+ years, including Newgrange and Hill of Tara.
• The Balkans: This region is rich in history, with architecture and authenticity at every turn. And if you prefer the path less travelled, Albania and Montenegro are still off many radars.
• Peru: There’s more than Machu Picchu, including vibrant Inca traditions, local artistry and multi-generational immersion.
• Japan: Take this a sign to go beyond Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. In Hakone, for example, you can soak in onsen waters with Mount Fuji on the horizon — culture and healing in one.

Vacations have emerged as one of 2026’s most powerful forms of self care, helping Canadians return home rested, rejuvenated and more resilient than before. Whether it’s the warmth of a sunny beach, the stillness of a forest trail or a reconnection to family heritage that gives life deeper meaning, travel offers Canadians a reset many can’t find in their daily lives.

However, to fully embrace travel as medicine, Canadian culture must undergo a shift; one where workplaces encourage time off, fully disconnecting is respected and where a prescription for time away is as vital as a script for medication.

The result of TravelRx? A nation that's more present than pressured, more joyful than drained.

^{Methodology
The report is based on research conducted by YouGov. The total sample size was 1,064 Canadian adults aged 18 and over (excluding Québec residents) who intend to travel for leisure in 2026. Fieldwork was undertaken between November 7 and 11, 2025. The survey was conducted online and commissioned by Flight Centre Canada. Results have been weighted to be representative of Canadian adults.}

^{Contact
For hi-res images, b-roll or media enquiries, please contact: media@flightcentre.ca}