More Quebecers planning to get away this summer

More Quebecers are taking an extended break this summer and planning long-haul holidays, says a new study by the Canadian Automobile Association.

The online poll of 1,002 Quebecers suggests an increase in the number of people who are planning to take two weeks off this summer.

And in a shift from last year's findings, most of those taking time off are planning to travel, with only 12 per cent saying they'll be staying home.

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"The statistics show the pendulum swinging back: vacationers are obviously itching to move," said Philippe Blain of CAA-Quebec.

Of those planning to travel, 22 per cent of respondents said they're considering travel by plane, which represents a six-point increase over 2016. Europe and the Caribbean topped the list of far-flung destinations.

The study also found 11 per cent of respondents are planning trips to Canadian destinations outside of Quebec, and another 11 per cent are planning to vacation in the United States, mostly Vermont.

That number represents a 10-point drop over 2014, which theCAA-Quebecblamed mainly on a weak Canadian dollar.

"Budget is by far the determining factor in people's choice of destination, and the average amount that they are setting aside for their vacation is higher this year," Blain said.

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But still, the majority of respondents,52 per cent, said they plan to vacation in Quebec. Gasp and the Magdalen Islands, Quebec City and the Montrgie region led the list of holiday destinations in Quebec.

The study found 12 per cent of respondents were not planning to purchase travel medical insurance, a findingCAA-Quebec called "worrisome."

The organization said many Quebecers wrongly believe they're fully covered in other Canadian provinces, or that coverage through their credit cards is enough.