MONTREAL--(BUSINESS WIRE)--With the 2024 holiday season approaching and many across the country thinking about how they will connect with their loved ones, FlightHub took a deeper look at Canada’s immigrants’ sentiment through the season. FlightHub’s latest survey conducted in November 2024 and polling 2,005 respondents including Canadians, long-term immigrants and recent immigrants revealed that those who arrived in Canada over the last decade, face barriers such as financial strain, limited time off, and work pressures, making it harder to connect with family and enjoy the festivities.

Distance and disconnection define the 2024 season for many surveyed Canadians

The holidays can amplify feelings of longing for loved ones, especially when family is far away. According to the survey, while 74 per cent of Canadians born in the country plan to visit immediate family this holiday season, only 54 per cent of immigrants who arrived in the past 10 years expect to be able to do the same this year, with a staggering 91 per cent saying they will not get enough time with their family this season. While just under half (45%) of Canadians say the holidays are a reminder of loved ones they cannot be with, this sentiment is shared by more than seven-in-ten recent immigrants, and 57 per cent of long-term immigrants.

“This survey highlights the unique challenges immigrants face during the holidays, from balancing work commitments to finding time and resources to spend meaningful moments with loved ones,” says Henri Chelhot, CEO of FlightHub. “Our company was built on the idea that having the opportunity to travel and connect with people across the world reduces fear and inspires positive change. It’s a mission that drives us to support and celebrate the journeys that bring people together, no matter where they begin.”

Work pressures heighten holiday struggles for recent immigrants

There are many barriers to spending time with family and loved ones, especially when they live far away. Recent immigrants cited various struggles, such as lacking vacation days (40%), the high cost of travel (36%), or financial obligations (32%). Those holiday stressors were cited far more frequently by newer immigrants than those born in Canada. By comparison, only 19 per cent of those born in Canada mentioned time off as a barrier to holiday reunions.

But even more concerning, is the work pressures that newer immigrants are significantly more likely to report feeling. For them, balancing work and holiday plans presents another significant challenge. Nearly half (48 per cent) of respondents who arrived in Canada within the past decade report difficulty taking time off, compared to just about 21 per cent of those born in the country and those established in Canada for more than 10 years. Thirteen per cent of recent immigrants also reported feeling pressured to work over the holidays by their employers, which compares to only 7% and 9% of those born in the country or immigrating more than 10 years ago, respectively.

Financial pressures further intensify the issue. According to the survey, 21 per cent of recent immigrants saying they feel the need to work over the holidays to make ends meet, compared to only eight per cent of those born in Canada.

From holiday travel costs to emotional toll: the holiday season will be challenging for most recent immigrants to Canada

Beyond work and financial pressures, the holiday season can also take an emotional toll on recent immigrants navigating life in a new country. According to the survey, nearly seven in ten (69 per cent) of newer immigrants indicated that celebrating the holidays in Canada feels challenging, compared to 46 per cent of those who have lived in the country for over a decade. Twenty-one per cent of those who arrived recently also say that do not find it easy to relax over the holidays, and three quarters (76%) wished they would spend more time with loved ones over the holidays.

“These findings emphasize the multifaceted barriers faced by immigrants in Canada during the holidays season and what it is like to experience a time that is often considered a time of celebration in another country and through higher work pressures,” concludes Chelhot. “The holiday season should allow for everyone to connect and relax. By acknowledging the barriers, we can take steps to ensure the holiday season offers everyone the opportunity to build new traditions while staying connected to their roots.”

Where Travel Finds You: a celebration of resilience and connection

At the heart of this initiative is the Where Travel Finds You campaign, celebrating the remarkable stories of four individuals who have faced and overcome significant challenges. To honour their journeys, FlightHub surprised them with unique and local travel-inspired experiences, including a weekend stay in a luxury suite, a rejuvenating wellness retreat, and a personalised styling and shopping experience. These thoughtful gifts reflect the transformative power of travel and the joy it brings.

As part of the campaign, participants who reside in Canada and the U.S. can nominate someone who inspires them for a chance to win an all-expenses-paid trip for two to Mexico. Submissions are open on the company’s website from December 12, 2024, to January 1, 2025.

“We created Where Travel Finds You to highlight the strength and determination that define extraordinary stories,” says Ayoub Hissar, Director of PR and Marketing Strategy at FlightHub. “This campaign not only shares these uplifting journeys but also invites others to celebrate those who inspire them with the gift of a memorable travel experience.”

About the Survey

The survey, conducted by Earnscliffe Strategies’ opinion research team, was in field from November 14 to 17, 2024 and engaged a randomized representative sample of 2,005 respondents living in Canada who are members of Leger’s LEO panel. For comparison purposes only, a survey of this size would have a margin of error of +/- 2% at a confidence level of 95%.

About FlightHub

FlightHub™, a Momentum Ventures subsidiary, is a leading North American online travel agency (OTA) based in Montreal, Canada. FlightHub proudly serves millions every year, enabling more people to visit new places and explore new cultures. FlightHub's goal is to offer travellers the most affordable flights, optimal itineraries, and exceptional customer service. The leading online travel agency (OTA) believes that broadening travel possibilities and connecting people across borders increases human consciousness, reduces fear, and inspires positive change. Founded in 2012, FlightHub has facilitated more than 30 million connections.