TORONTO, Canada – With less than one month until the official start to summer, new data released by Travelzoo reveals 82% of Canadians would rather give up hockey than their summer vacations. The survey also revealed 65% of Canadians plan to take a summer vacation – up 10% compared to last year – with more than half planning a domestic vacation. Two factors will keep Canadians closer to home this summer: a weaker dollar and lower gas prices.

Lower gas prices: More than half (53%) of Canadians are opting for drive destinations such as Ontario’s cottage country and Prince Edward Island over international destinations like the United States, Cuba and Europe for their summer vacations this year. With gas prices averaging around $1.13 per litre in Ontario – a 16% decrease year-over-year – road trips are much more affordable when compared to an international air ticket.

Weaker Canadian dollar: While some analysts predict the Canadian dollar will strengthen, there still remains a 1USD to 1.24CAD exchange rate making travel to the U.S. 15% more expensive for Canadians compared to last year. A 4-star Miami hotel that costs Americans 109 USD per night will cost Canadians 133 CAD per night.

“Given the long winter and short summer, it’s no surprise that many Canadians would give up hockey over a summer vacation,” said Lara Barlow, Interim Country Manager for Travelzoo Canada. “That said, this year we expect to see many Canadians vacation closer to home given the lower gas prices and weaker currency.”