More travellers are trading bottomless cocktails and family chaos for calmer, more intentional getaways. According to a new Flight Centre survey, 57% of Canadian travellers are opting for adults-only vacations, while 75% say they’d consider a booze-free trip this year.
“We’re seeing a real pivot from the ‘do-it-all’ mentality to ‘do-what-matters,’” said Amra Durakovic, Flight Centre Canada spokesperson. “For many Canadians, that means fewer distractions, less alcohol and more connection — with themselves or their partners.”
Together, these shifts point to a new travel mindset: less noise, more meaning.
The rise of sober tourism
The new travel mindset isn’t just about skipping the booze and kids. It’s about dialing down the chaos altogether. More than three-quarters of Canadian travellers say they want to escape overstimulation this year, according to Flight Centre’s survey.
For many, that means peace and quiet, with 41% of travel intenders listing disruptive passengers — like crying babies — as one of their top travel frustrations. More than a quarter say they actively dislike being stuck on a plane with small children. Adults-only travel, then, offers both luxury and breathing room.
And while serenity is the goal, sobriety is gaining traction across all generations. Broken up across age cohorts, 88% of Gen Z, 76% of Millennials and Gen X, and even 65% of Boomers, are opting for alchol-free adventures, proof that sober tourism is not just a Gen Z trend but a broader cultural shift.
“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,” said Amra Durakovic, Flight Centre Canada spokesperson. “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.”
Survey methodology
The results are from an online YouGov survey commissioned by Flight Centre from Jan. 10 to 20. The total sample size was 6,141 adults (1,047 from Australia, 1,023 from New Zealand, 1,051 from the U.K., 1,105 from South Africa, 1,006 from the U.S. and 1,109 from Canada).
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