Club Med has unveiled its first Club Med Free Time Report, a study that explores how joy, curiosity and discovery fit into the lives of Canadian adults.
Canadian attitudes toward free time
The research, carried out by Wakefield Research with a sample of 1,000 Canadian adults, found that more than eight in ten respondents, 81%, miss the sense of wonder they felt as children more than the amount of free time they had then.
At the same time, 88% say that everyday obligations often take priority over activities they would enjoy, indicating a tension between desire and available space.
Club Med describes this disconnect as the “Joy Gap,” the distance between wanting more fun, curiosity and discovery and actually making room for those experiences.
When Canadians do pursue curiosity, the outcomes are largely positive. The report notes that 88% experienced at least one beneficial effect the last time they tried something new.
Vacation appears to offer a boost to curiosity, with 76% saying they are likely to attempt an activity they have never done before on their next trip.
Obstacles to trying new experiences
Cost and equipment concerns deter many. The study reports that 81% have activities they would like to try but avoid because the expense of trying or acquiring necessary gear feels too high when they are unsure of enjoyment.
These barriers suggest that interest alone does not guarantee participation; practical considerations play a major role.
Freedom is emerging as a new marker of luxury. According to the report, 92% agree that luxury while traveling means the ability to do what they want, when they want.
Furthermore, 73% prefer an open-ended vacation that allows for spontaneous exploration rather than a tightly scheduled itinerary.
“Club Med was created for happiness, and more than 75 years later, our research suggests people are still struggling to make room for it,” said Carolyne Doyon, President and CEO of Club Med North America and the Caribbean. “Our curiosity hasn’t disappeared, and neither has our desire to experience something new. But somewhere along the way, we’ve lost some of the spontaneity and playfulness that once came so naturally.”
Redefining luxury through freedom
The report concludes that the Joy Gap extends beyond the quantity of free time. Everyday responsibilities, social expectations and logistical hurdles often block the path to enjoyment.
Creating more opportunities for play, exploration, connection and unexpected moments may be just as vital as simply finding extra minutes in a schedule.
The findings are being rolled out alongside The Art of Free Time, Club Med’s new global platform that celebrates a lifestyle built around freedom, joy and possibility.