School’s out for summer, and a growing number of Canadian adults want to be where the kids aren’t. According to a Flight Centre survey conducted by YouGov, 57% of Canadian travellers are prioritizing adults-only travel, while 75% would consider taking a booze-free trip this year. The rise in sober-curious, child-free travel points to a cultural reset around how—and why—we vacation.
“We’re seeing a real pivot from the ‘do-it-all’ mentality to ‘do-what-matters,’” says Amra Durakovic, Flight Centre Canada spokesperson. “For many Canadians, that means fewer distractions, less alcohol and more connection—with themselves or their partners. It’s no surprise that our top two customer segments right now are solo and duo travellers.”
This trend is especially strong in Canada, where adults 65 and older are the fastest growing demographic. In 2021, there were1.9 million DINK (dual income, no kids) households in Canada—and that number is on the rise. Parents, too, are looking for opportunities to focus on each other.
Here’s how they want to spend their precious time away.
- No Distractions: Over three quarters of Canadian travellers (76%) aim to escape overstimulation, seeking peace away from crowded destinations.
- Quiet Comfort: 41% of travel intenders rank disruptive passengers, including crying babies, in their top three travel pet peeves. More than a quarter (26%) say they hate or dislike being stuck on a plane with small children. For some, adults-only travel offers the rare chance to unwind in ways family travel doesn’t always allow.
- Bye-Bye Booze: Though kid-free activities are attractive to many Canadians, partying isn’t top of mind. Instead, sober tourism has become a force to be reckoned with, catching the attention of a whopping 75% who would consider taking a trip with zero alcohol. The trend spans demographics: 88% of Gen Z, 76% of Millennials, 76% of Gen X and 65% of Boomers would indulge their sober curiosity. The result? Cruises with mocktail workshops, resorts with wellness menus and sober group tours that focus on health, culture or adventure.
“With changing traveller demographics and desires, we’re seeing the emergence of new cruises, resorts and tours designed for adults, like G Adventures’ ‘Solo-ish’ program,” says Durakovic. “Cruise lines and resorts like Sandals, Secrets, and Virgin Voyages have long catered exclusively to adults, but now, many all-inclusives are adding adult-only wings or pool areas. That’s especially appealing for multi-generational travellers who want both together time and grown-up space.”
Travel is no longer a way to check off as many items as possible from a bucket list. It’s a chance to make conscious choices about how you want to spend your money and time—and, by extension, your life.
