TORONTO — Head’s up: 2019 will be the year of domestic travel.

According to the Travel Health Insurance Association of Canada (THiA)’s 2018 Smart Travellers survey results, Canadians will be motivated to stay close to home next year due to the political climate and exchange rate.

These results are also reflected in Statistics Canada data about declining travel to the U.S. by Canadians, which has been seeing a downward trend for five months, said THiA Executive Director Will McAleer. “Our survey shows that many Canadian traveller will be exploring travel options within our borders.”

When asked how the political climate impacts their desire to travel to the U.S., 57% of Canadians claim they’re less likely to book a trip south of the border. In fact, Canadians are turning to the Great White North as a 2019 vacation alternative, with 42% of Canadians choosing Canada as their next vacation destination.

Other factors include the currency conversion; according to the survey, 59% of Canadians are less likely to travel to the U.S. right now due to the exchange rate.

On the topic of money, 19% of Canadians admit to intentionally providing inaccurate information to a travel health insurance medical questionnaire, with 58% of Canadians doing so in order to pay a lower rate in an attempt to save a few dollars. But as THiA reminds travellers, it’s important to include travel health insurance in every vacation budget to avoid unexpected surprises.

The online survey, conducted in September 2018, polled 1,343 respondents ranging from ages 18-60+ across Canada.