In this Sept. 14, 2014 photo, sunbathers walk along resort-lined crescent beach in Negril in western Jamaica. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-David McFadden)
Winnipeggers looking to escape the crippling (dry) cold winter months are yearning for warm destinations this season.
Data from travel website KAYAK suggests Canadians are planning more warm getaways compared to their American neighbours.
“We’re seeing Canadian travel habits shift this holiday season compared to last year, especially when it comes to New Year’s Eve travel,” said Steve Sintra, KAYAK’s regional director for North America.
“Europe, for example, had a bigger presence last year likely due to the entrance of low-cost carriers to the market, but has been replaced this year by Caribbean hotspots like Bermuda, Curacao, Jamaica and Aruba.”
KAYAK says it’s seeing some travel trends for Winnipeggers, who are searching for Dublin, Ireland and London, England trips this New Year’s Eve. New non-stop flights from Winnipeg to each of the two destinations is also having an impact.
Winnipeg jet-setters are also researching warm destinations in Orlando, Flordia and Honolulu, Hawaii.
According to KAYAK, the cheapest time for Winnipeg travellers to book holiday and NYE travel is four to seven weeks out for domestic flights and four to five weeks out for international flights.
The number one spot to ring in 2020 on the website’s list is St. Lucia, which is attracting both Canadian and American travellers in droves. Search interest to the destination is up 300 percent compared to last year.
