Remove Advisories, Reopen The Border

Well, here’s some good news.

In a recent survey, the Travel Health Insurance Association of Canada (THIA) found that 40% of Canadians believed that the government should remove travel advisories to the U.S. and reopen the border to make travel to America easier.

THIA’s survey also discovered that when restrictions have been eased, the U.S. is the top travel destination for Canadians.

Also of note, is that vaccinated Canadians are twice as likely to travel internationally this year.

And as the vaccine rollout continues across the country, nearly one-third (31 per cent) of unvaccinated survey respondents said they would get vaccinated if it was required for travel.

Will McAleer, THIA’s executive director, observed that: “This has been the longest border closure in history, with a level three travel advisory that has been in place for more than a year. It’s time to put a safe border-reopening plan into action and view international vaccination requirements for travel as a way of overcoming vaccine-hesitancy.”

McAleer continued: “Anyone considering travelling outside of Canada needs to understand travel requirements and the importance of proper vaccination documentation as well as whether their health insurance will enable them to have a carefree vacation.”

In recent years, the desire of Canadians to travel to the U.S. has declined, yet THIA’s survey found that the U.S. is the most popular first travel destination for Canadians, based on proximity to avoid air travel and the country’s vaccination rollout.

The survey found that:

• 37% of Canadians indicated that the U.S. is the first place they plan to travel outside of Canada;
• 33% of respondents said they were more likely to travel to the U.S. after the pandemic, than before;
• 47% attribute their interest in travelling to the U.S. to the success of the American vaccine rollout;
• 46% of respondents say their preferred mode of travel is by vehicle (car, van, or camper), which makes the U.S. a convenient destination.

When the time comes to reopen the border and lift the travel advisory, it will be more important than ever to ensure travellers understand their travel health insurance policy.

Canadians are also taking more interest in researching their coverage options and what their current plan offers in advance of booking their trip.

In fact, 74% of respondents said they are more likely to review their travel health insurance coverage now, following the pandemic, than ever before.