This is your sign to plan a staycation

If you’re like most of us, you’re longing for the days of looking forward to a getaway without all the complications that now come with international traveling. Well, we have a solution for you - make this the year of the staycation!

Spanning nearly 10 million square km, Canada is an enormous country with breathtaking natural views, architectural masterpieces, an abundance of culture and amazing foods for every palate. Chances are that you have yet to discover it all. So why leave? In fact, you likely won’t even have to leave your own province to discover something new. Besides how amazing this country is, there are even more benefits to planning a staycation.

Motivation = productivity

It's likely that you have spent a good chunk of time at home over the past two years, either because of Covid-19 restrictions or because Mother Nature does her thing. With many of us working from home, our workdays have merged with our weekends and it’s hard to keep track of what day of the week it is. Planning a vacation can definitely help and having something to look forward to makes getting through tight work deadlines a little less painful. Vacations also help us recharge and, in turn, be more productive at work and in our personal lives.

If you thought flying was the stressful part, try pre-boarding procedures

Passports, tickets, medical documents, pre-travel Covid-19 testing, post-flight Covid-19 testing, downloading government apps, quarantine regulations, etc. Depending on your destination, entry requirements for different countries will vary. All this will need to be verified so prepare for extra-long line ups at the airport.

The good news is that you can avoid all of that and stay local. With the cost of airline tickets taking flight (pun intended!) and so many changes to cancelation and insurance policies, avoid all that hassle and uncertainty and consider a road trip.

Reconnect

With so much time spent at home with family members, much of that time may have been spent getting on each other’s nerves. Why not plan a getaway to help everyone relax and reconnect?

… Otherwise, consider a solo trip to recharge.

Planning made easy

The first step to planning your staycation is to figure out what kind of getaway you want. Will it be adventurous, romantic, relaxing or filled with local eats?

Second, determine the length of your vacation. You will need to factor in travel time but even a day trip can be lots of fun. With most businesses having an online presence and allowing you to book without ever having to call, researching and planning your own schedule can be exciting. But if you’re having difficulty putting an itinerary together, for a cost, companies such as Guess Where Trips can send you a pre-planned itinerary based on your interests.

Third, what’s your budget? Depending on when you plan to vacation, accommodation prices will vary greatly. Consider off-peak seasons or weekday trips if you’re looking to do more saving. And don’t forget to compare prices on different sites. The exact same room will vary greatly depending on who you book with. Once you know your budget, make it easy to save for. With EQ Bank, you can open up to five different savings accounts and designate one specifically for your vacation goal. Then you can set up automatic contributions until you reach that goal. Easy peasy! And don’t forget to give that account a cool vacation nickname.

#SupportLocal

It’s no secret that this pandemic has taken a huge toll on the tourism and hospitality industries, and we have seen many of our favourite restaurants and venues shut their doors for good. Why not support your own community and local businesses by spending your money with them instead of stimulating another country’s economy? That way, when you stop on the side of the road to purchase that $5 butter tart, know that you’re eating it for a good cause.

Did someone say tax credit?

For Ontarians, the provincial government temporarily introduced the Ontario Staycation Tax credit this year.  On overnight accommodations booked in Ontario in 2022, including hotels, resorts and campgrounds, they’re offering a 20 per cent return on amounts up to $1000 for individuals and $2000 for families. That translates to a maximum of $200 and $400 in credits respectively. (Pro tip: that’s money you can put back into your EQ Bank Savings Plus Account to help you plan for your next vacation! Cha-ching!)

Regardless of what corner of the country you live in, there is so much to discover in this wonderful place we call home. And let’s face it, it’s been a tough couple of years for us all.  Not only do you need this, you deserve it.  Now start planning!