March Break bookings on par with 2023 despite rising costs, P.E.I. travel agents say

The rising cost of living doesn't seem to have affected Islanders' spending habits when it comes to escaping wintry weather for the warmer climes of places like the Dominican Republic or Mexico.

With March Break and Easter weekend both on the horizon, P.E.I. travel agencies say they're as busy as ever booking trips.

The Travel Store owner Paulette Soloman said her clientele this year is a mix of people looking for a post-pandemic getaway and regular travellers.

The Travel Store owner Paulette Soloman says bookings for trips to southern destinations over the March Break are on par with last year's numbers. (Laura Meader/CBC)

"We've got all kinds of people coming in still, even with March Break just a few weeks away, looking to book family or couples trips at that time," she said.

"Last year was really busy as well. I think we've maintained that demand … and we've grown a little bit in terms of our staffing so we've settled in a little more and are welcoming new clients all the time."

This year's break on P.E.I. runs from March 22 to 28, and it's immediately followed by the Easter weekend that begins with Good Friday, March 29.

Travel agents on the Island say they've seen bookings rebound steadily in the wake of international travel restrictions  imposed to curb the spread of COVID-19 starting in 2020.

The Travel Store closed four of its locations in P.E.I. during that time, leaving just one shop on North River Road in Charlottetown.

Soloman said it's simply led to more people planning their vacations over the phone or through email.

'They need a little bit of a break'

Although inflationary pressures started putting a strain on many pocketbooks in 2023, travel agents said they aren't seeing any evidence that those costs are keeping Islanders at home.

"I think there's folks that just haven't been away since 2019," said Stewart Travel Group co-owner Travis Stewart.

'There’s folks that just haven’t been away since 2019,' says Stewart Travel Group co-owner Travis Stewart. (Laura Meader/CBC)

"There's always demand of those that want to travel with family and friends and they want to get off the Island, even though we love our Island so much, but they need a little bit of a break and they need [rest and relaxation]."

Inflation is affecting the price of travel though. Stewart said a family getaway will cost an average of 20 per cent more than last year.

"Realistically, you're talking $6,000 to $12,000, anywhere in between, and that doesn't seem to be a problem for families that have been doing it for years," he said.

"I think they save up for that all year. It's important for them to get away."

The winter conditions in P.E.I. as of late likely have many Islanders thinking about flying to a sun-soaked destination. (Jane Robertson/CBC)

Charlottetown Airport Authority CEO Doug Newson said travellers want direct flights from the Maritimes.

The airport has offered charter flights to southern destinations in the past, but there aren't any this year.

"If people want that non-stop direct service, it's hard for us to compete. We are hoping to bring back flights soon, but there will always be a risk of some leakage to these other airports," he said.

"I think people should be made aware that we would love nothing more than to see direct flights to sun destinations."