Canadian Advisors Report Growing Sales Confidence, Rising Insurance Uptake and Longer Booking Windows Amid Shifting Traveller Priorities.

SAN ANTONIO, Texas (September 25, 2026): TRAVELSAVERS Canada advisors are predicting a strong finish to 2026, citing rising sales confidence, resilient shoulder season demand and growing interest in insurance.

The results were announced during the Travel Market conference, held Sept. 24-27 in San Antonio, where travel advisors and preferred partners discussed industry trends, business growth opportunities, and the future of travel.

Advisors Bullish on 2026

The survey found that 65 per cent of advisors expect their sales to increase compared with 2025, while none anticipate a significant decline.

Shoulder season demand is also holding firm. Sixty-seven per cent of advisors say shoulder season bookings are steady or growing compared with the same period last year, including 17 per cent who report gains of 10 per cent or more.

"Our advisors are seeing firsthand what the data confirms: Canadians remain eager to travel," said Jane Clementino, Senior Vice President and General Manager, TRAVELSAVERS Canada. "It's less about whether clients will travel and more about helping them find the right moment and the right value. What has changed is how thoughtfully travellers are planning, from when they go to how they maximize their budgets."

Canadians Booking Further Ahead

The survey also highlights changing booking behaviour among Canadian travellers. The most common booking window today is three to six months before departure, cited by 38 per cent of advisors.

Booking timelines are also shifting. Thirty-eight per cent of advisors say clients are now booking further in advance than they were a year ago, compared with 33 per cent who report clients booking closer to their departure date. Only eight per cent of advisors say clients are typically booking a year or more out.

Insurance Purchases Climb

Travel insurance is gaining ground with Canadian travellers. Forty per cent of advisors report an increase in clients purchasing insurance compared with a year earlier, almost three times the 15 per cent who say fewer travellers are opting for coverage. Advisors report that 45 per cent of their clients are now purchasing insurance.

Travellers Balance Value and Premium Spending

Consumer spending patterns reflect a market split between premium-seeking travellers and value-conscious vacationers. Thirty-five per cent of advisors say clients are more willing to spend on travel experiences than they were a year ago, and 13 per cent report increased demand for premium upgrades.

The survey found 23 per cent of travellers are more willing to compromise on plans to lower travel costs. To stretch their budgets, these value-conscious clients are staying flexible with their travel dates, seeking the best overall value for their budget and booking further in advance to secure better pricing.

Survey Results

2026 Sales Predictions (vs. 2025)

●      13% predict sales will increase significantly

●      52% predict sales will increase somewhat

●      17% predict sales will stay the same

●      19% predict sales will decrease somewhat

●      0% predict sales will decrease significantly

Shoulder Season Bookings

●      17% up 10% or more from last year

●      19% up between 1% and 9% from last year

●      31% the same as last year

●      19% down between 1% and 9% from last year

●      13% down 10% or more from last year

Booking Window Length

●      4% a month or less before departure

●      17% one to three months before departure

●      38% three to six months before departure

●      27% six months to a year before departure

●      8% a year or more before departure

Booking Window Change from a Year Ago

●      33% booking closer to their departure date

●      38% booking further in advance

●      27% booking window hasn't changed

Insurance Purchases Change from a Year Ago

●      40% more clients buying insurance now

●      42% number of clients buying insurance unchanged

●      15% fewer clients buying insurance now

Client Attitudes Towards Travel Spending Compared to a Year Ago

●      13% clients more willing to spend on premium travel experiences

●      35% clients more willing to spend on travel in general

●      29% clients just as willing to spend on travel as a year ago

●      23% clients more willing to compromise to lower travel costs

Client Approaches to Maximize Travel Experiences

●      54% being flexible with travel dates to maximize value

●      48% booking further in advance to secure better pricing and availability

●      42% selecting destinations that offer the best value for their budget

●      38% exploring emerging destinations that offer unique experiences and value

●      23% selecting accommodations that offer a balance of comfort and value

●      23% prioritizing meaningful experiences over luxury extras