Canadians are heading to Japan in record numbers, and the world cruise industry is going gangbusters.
A new report from Mastercard Economics Institute finds that Canadians are evidently chasing cherry blossoms at an increasing rate, as Japan recorded a record 57,800 Canadian visitors in March of this year. That’s the highest level since 1996.
Other destinations seeing an increase in demand for travel from Canada between June and August 2024 include Rome, Athens, and Edinburgh.
Canadians are also extending the length of their trips, with stays in the 12 months preceding March 2024 higher than those in the 12 months preceding February 2020.
GLOBAL TRENDS
MasterCard found that global cruise transactions in the first quarter of 2024 were almost 16% higher than 2019 levels.
It also found that spending on experiences and nightlife totals 12% of tourism sales globally; the highest in five years.
The top ten trending destinations for summer (not most popular, but trending upward the most) are Munich, Tokyo, Tirana (Albania), Nice, Cancun, Bali, Bangkok, Corfu, Frankfurt and Oranjestad, Aruba.
The top ten trending destinations for the last 12 months were Japan, Ireland, Romania, Italy, Spain, Malaysia, Australia, South Korea, United Arab Emirates and Indonesia.
Globally, Mastercard Economics Institute analysis suggests leisure travelers are enjoying longer trips – by about an extra day. For the 12 months between March 2019 and February 2020, a trip's average length of stay was just about four days. As of March 2024, the length of a leisure trip globally is close to five days.
