Revenge Travel

Updated May 8, 2026
Revenge Travel - Visite Sao Paulo 02
To the point Since March 2020, curfews, border closures and lockdowns have forced Quebecers to stay home. Let's describe the "Revenge Travel" trend that has emerged as a result of all these measures to fight against COVID-19.

Travel bans have prevented people from moving around as they wanted to. Now that there are relaxations, people are getting their “revenge ” to travel. The term “Revenge Travel” can be translated as “Voyage de rattrapage” in French.

Quebecers’ time away for the summer of 2021

With the health restrictions slowly lifting, many travelers are booking their next trip. According to a CAA-Quebec survey for the 2021 summer trend, 83% of Quebecers will take their vacations in Quebec.

Review : Marriott Québec Centre-ville | Marriott Bonvoy - marriott québec-vieille ville40

The 3 most popular regions in travel intentions in 2021 are:

  • Capitale-Nationale-Charlevoix (26%)
  • Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean (16%)
  • Eastern Townships (15%)

This compares to 44% in 2019 and 35% in 2018 in the pre-pandemic era.This means that almost twice as many Quebecers are travelling in their own province as before the pandemic. This is mainly due to the limits of movement. But in the last few weeks, Milesopedia has published some good news for travelers.

  • End of hotel quarantine for Canadian travellers
  • France opens up to Canadians
  • Health restrictions eased for tourists in Hawaii
My mini world tour on 5 continents: the journey of two students - eiffel tower 3349075 1280

When the borders open and the restrictions gradually disappear, the proportion of Quebecers who intend to stay in Quebec will return to pre-pandemic levels. Certain behavioural profiles are beginning to emerge, according to a Léger Marketing survey.

According to the survey, 9% of respondents are “Euphoric” in nature, and want to live their “post-pandemic” to the fullest.

We also see this on Milesopedia with a clear shift in searches for “travel” credit cards versus those offering cash back. And the issuers are not mistaken in offering incredible welcome offers.

Revenge Travel

Indeed, the resumption of “normal” activities after months of inactivity allows travellers to start going out again. The euphorics are going full steam ahead.

This desire to travel frantically and give a middle finger to all that the virus has done to them is giving rise to a new trend: Revenge Travel”.

Finding a satisfactory French equivalent for this term is difficult. Should we talk about revenge tourism? Travelling frenzy? Revenge trip ? Or a catch-up trip?

The causes

Nevertheless, the explosion of all this repression results in a desire from revenge travelers to:

  • Take a longer trip than usual;
  • Make several trips in a short period of time;
  • Travel in luxury or extravagance with a higher budget;
  • Travel with extended family or a group of friends to reconnect;
  • Travel to forget ;
  • Do the trip of your dreams “because you deserve it”.
Revenge Travel - diner 124

Valérie Gosselin, psychologist and supervisor at Clinique Humanimaux explains:

The period of hardship we endured has affected us all in different ways.

After all the stress, sacrifices and overwork of the past year, you can have an insatiable desire for life. This desire to regain our former composure and make up for lost time is normal.Moreover, Mrs. Gosselin indicates that:

The power to go when and how we want has been affected. There is an awareness of the privilege of travel and how much this way of life is appreciated.In addition, having had COVID-19 or having had a loved one die from this disease may play a role in this frenzy of wanting to leave at all costs.

Every day there is a death toll from the virus, and being confronted with this reality makes you realize how fragile life is. Again, an urgency to live and enjoy life arose.

Is this normal, doctor?

This forced break resulted in the accumulation of tens of thousands of points in airline and hotel loyalty programs. The cancellations rmean people have a lot of travel credits or vouchers to use.

If you are happy with the idea of a “catch-up trip” and want to spend your points, there is no problem.

Revenge travelers are just waiting for the moment to spend it after more than a year of sacrifice and deprivation. Usually at Milesopedia, one of our slogans on points is “Earn and burn”. But the opportunities to spend the points in the final year were very slim or uncertain.

Revenge Travel - Aeroplan Qualification Account En

Now that some semblance of life “as before” is on the horizon, many bookings for catch-up trips can be made. This manic phase following a context of deprivation is normal.

In the wake of this resurgence of travel, there are some funny issues that are resurfacing, including a shortage of suitcases south of the border, as reported by our American counterpart, The Points Guy.

But unfortunately there is also a problem with tourist behavior, as reported in Hawaii.These incidents of rudeness are on the rise (and not just when travelling)! Is it because of the general atmosphere after the lockdown or because of revenge travel ? According to Valérie Gosselin:

So when a problem occurs on vacation, frustration sets in and discourtesy surfaces.

Not feeling ready to travel

Conversely, people who want to stay at home because they feel comfortable there or because they are not ready to go out is also normal.

Conclusion

The pandemic has caused a lot of questioning and changes in attitudes and habits.

But no matter how you feel about travel and the relaxation of measures, the important thing is to think of your health and safety first.

Have a good trip(s) or a good rest!

We would like to thank Valérie Gosselin, M.Ps., psychologist and supervisor at Clinique Humanimaux for her advice and time.

Come to discuss that topic in our Facebook Group!
Caroline Tremblay
Caroline Tremblay
Caroline, a loyalty program specialist, helps families maximize their points to travel more frequently and affordably. With expertise in Disney, AIR MILES, and Costco, she travels the world with her partner and two children through rewards. Passionate about the latest in loyalty programs, Caroline shares tips to help you earn more points and turn your travel dreams into reality.
All posts by Caroline Tremblay

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