Pattie Lovett-Reid

Chief Financial Commentator, CTV

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ANALYSIS: Regrets … I've had a few.

Do you travel enough? This was the focal point of a survey by Censuswide on behalf of British Airways (which of course has a vested interest encouraging people to take more trips). It found that roughly one in four Baby Boomers said they haven't travelled enough due to work commitments and child care considerations, but now wish they had.

Numerous studies have shown travel can boost happiness especially when they are well managed and limit stress – allowing you to return to work relaxed and happy to be there.

Still, travel has its downsides. A stressful vacation can leave you feeling worn out and no happier than before you jetted off. Plus, travel is expensive. According to a 2015 survey of 1,000 adults by FatWallet.com, 42 per cent planned to spend upwards of $1,500 on vacations per year. This can result in many staying home, due to financial pressures.

Are you looking to save a little money while traveling? Here’s an idea: Consider going to the U.K.

Our daughter Carolyn, who got married a year ago in Scotland, decided to go back and celebrate their first year anniversary – and why not? Since Britain's historic decision to leave the European Union, little has changed for visitors except that their visits are now cheaper. This is because a plunge in the value of the pound against the dollar and the euro has made holidays in Britain almost 15 per cent cheaper for foreign tourists. The pound’s fall means that the British tourism industry is one of the country's few industries that will quickly see a post-Brexit boost.

International flight bookings rose almost 10 per cent in the week after the referendum compared to the same period a year earlier, according to data collected by travel industry consultancy ForwardKeys.

Our other daughter, Jane, is currently enjoying a vacation in Western Canada because she decided the currency conversion was still too costly given the Canadian dollar is trading below 77 cents U.S. Jane is exploring B.C. and taking advantages of deals offered in Whistler as they try to attract visitors to the resort location year-round.

In fact, Canada remains a popular destination. Others are heading to the Rocky Mountains. Areas such as Banff saw an eight per cent jump to 3.9 million visitors, Jasper was up five per cent to 2.3 million, and Waterton Lakes rose 16 per cent to 486,000 visitors for the financial year ended in March. Lake Louise at Banff National Park was so busy on the Canada Day long weekend that police temporarily shut down access to the town to everyone but residents and those with reservations at hotels. Dave Kaiser, head of the Alberta Hotel and Lodging Association, said most of province's tourism industry has been hit hard by the recession but the resorts are seeing strong results.

Meanwhile, Atlantic Canada – which is always an attractive destination – got a little boost after some tongue-in-cheek comments highlighting Cape Breton as a destination of choice if Donald Trump wins the U.S. election.

I understand the perspective that people should travel more or they might regret it. However, many people regret other things as well – sometimes more than not traveling enough. Respondents noted that losing touch with friends was a bigger regret than not traveling enough, while other regrets among older people included that they worried too much while they were young and chose the wrong partner.

Personally, I’m okay with my decisions. No regrets.

As the Chief Financial Commentator for CTV News, Pattie Lovett-Reid gives viewers an informed opinion of the Canadian financial climate. Follow her on Twitter @PattieCTV