Digital Detox Vacations: Comparing Options in Canada

This article explores the options for digital detox vacations in Canada and compares their costs, amenities, and limitations. It discusses three different resorts - Echo Valley Ranch, Emerald Lake Lodge, and HI Mosquito Creek - and recommends the most suitable option for a tech-free getaway.

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Introduction
With the growing pace of technology humans are becoming more and more engrossed in
gadgets that control our daily lives. With such involvement of the technology in our daily lives, it
becomes difficult to cope without these technological tools. However, the continuous and
extensive use of these gadgets makes us more stressed and exhausted. The necessity to spend a
tech free vacation is similar to recharging our basic instincts that helps us to energize ourselves
and realign our mental composition. The increasing work pressure and social stress are
increasing the amount of depression and is impacting lives of people in a manner that has
adverse effects in the long run (Emek, 2014). A break from the technology and gadgets can
improve the quality of our lives and increase productivity at the workplace. This article will look
into the probable options of tech free vacations and compare their costs, the pros and the cons of
the trails and suggest the best possible option among them. The paper will look deeply into the
various aspects that make these trails unique and how they offer a relief from the most
Background
The paper will explore the various digital detox tours that are available across Canada
and compare their location, costing, facilities and amenities. The pros and the cons of the places
and the trips will be compared to weigh the differences among the places. An online survey by
Google, a technology giant revealed that around 56% of people are addicted to their smart
phones and about eight out of ten people do not leave home without their cell phones. The study
was done with 1000 respondents and reveals that 78% of the users stay connected to social media
daily, and more than 70% of the respondents use their cell phones to shop, stream videos or stay

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connected to the social media every day. According to Rogers’s Innovation Report, almost 65%
of Canadians are victim to nomophobia, which is panic generated due to being away from one’s
mobile phone. With the increase in technologies and the phones becoming smarter, the
tendencies of tech dependency have increased many folds. This dependency has given rise to
conditions of nomophobia and tech addiction. The “Rogers Innovation Report” is a quarterly
report that is composed from surveys focusing on trends in technology. The survey included
1040 Canadians and was focused in understanding the trends in growing usage of mobile phones
and smart phones (HuffPost Canada, 2019). The report revealed amazing statistics which
facilitate prove that digital addiction is the new trend among individuals. The report reveals that
65% feel naked without their gadgets and smart phones. A total of 55% of the respondents are
used to check their smart phone before even brushing their teeth and around 51% of the
respondents revealed that they sleep with their device beside them. One of the striking results,
reveal that a total of 82% of the people use their smart phone while engaged in the bathroom.
This report gives an astonishing experience and knowledge about the current scenario and trends
in the technology that is impacting our lives to a great extent (Dickinson et al., 2016).
Solution
With the above findings it can be very well understood that digital detoxification is the
way to resolve our tech dependency and the allow us to revive out lives through ecological
escape tours and trails. There are a number of trails and adventure travelling that can allow us to
decrease our dependency on the technological gadgets and rejuvenate our lives that have less
addiction to technological aides. The escape tours or the adventure trails offer a host of services
and are designed to detox our digital attachments by eliminating the use of technological

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softwares and technological facilities. The resorts are devoid of wifi services, smart phone access
are restricted and offer tranquility to the clients for their detoxification from digital addiction.
These travel itineraries and trails are designed to offer a holistic experience involving interaction
with the nature, energetic adventure sports activities to revitalize the interest of spirit of the
clients. These trails and trips can range from a weekend escape to span of a week. The following
sections will discuss and compare three different services in Canada and compare the services
through their prices, range of services and facilities. Weighing the pros and cons of the digital
detox vacations the paper will suggest a recommendation that would be feasible, enriching and
easily available for the clients.
Criteria
The criteria that will be analysed to compare the digital detox vacations will be based on
three major attributes, the cost, the location benefits and amenities, the limitations and challenges
of the tourism. For the analysis we will compare three Canadian Detox tour packages offered by
the Echo Valley Ranch, Jesmond, B.C.; the Emerald Lake Lodge Yoho National Park, B.C., and
the HI Mosquito Creek, Banff National Park, Alberta. After comparing the range of services, the
facilities and amenities and the most importantly the cost of the trip, the most feasible and
favourable would be chosen for recommendation.
Echo Valley Ranch, Jesmond, B.C.
The Echo Valley Ranch is located in the pristine environment of the Cariboo Mountains
and offers a host of services along with a digital detox package. The ranch offers a host of
services within the package. The package includes group bookings ranging from 14 people to 42
persons and has different package rates along for the various groups. The package ranges from

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392 US dollars to 260 US dollars per person per night during lean seasons and 819 US Dollars
per person per night to $493 dollars during peak season for a group of 14 and 42 persons
respectively (Echo Valley Ranch & Spa., 2019).
The following are the list of services provided by the Eco resort.
 Deluxe lodging in one of our lodges or unique cabins
 Fresh Organic meals complimented with drinks.
 Access to Ranch facilities of swimming, sauna, yoga and other sports activities
 Yoga and Breakfast accompanied with BBQ nights, campfire facilities and group
activities.
 Authentic Thai banquet nights with spa facilities and on demand complimentary WiFi.
Emerald Lake Lodge Yoho National Park, B.C.
The website of the Emerald lake Lodge states that the location is a 100 year old discovery
made by Tom Wilson during the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railways. The Resort is an
exceptional piece of architecture with century old fireplaces and an Oakbar. The property
provides a series of activities accompanied with food and stay. The following is the list of
services available at the resort.
The resort provides Dry Sauna, Outdoor Hot tub and fitness room for the guests and WiFi
is only allowed in the main Lodge and is not available in the guest rooms. Among the range of
activities that the Emerald Lake Lodge provides include
The activities include Canoeing, white water rafting, Hiking, Biking, Skiing and Snow
Boarding, and Gondola and Chair lift rides among the other major host of services. The average
rates for the accommodation at the property vary from 259 CAD to 300 Canadian Dollars for a

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double bed room for two adults. The outdoor activities are not included and can be customized
through the bookings (Canadian Rocky Mountain Resorts, 2019).
HI Mosquito Creek, Banff National Park, Alberta
The HI Mosquito Creek, Banff National Park, Alberta has unique travelling options
offering hostel accommodations to the tourists. The hostel is located right in the middle of the
Banff national park and offers a host of adventure activities. The uniqueness of the resort is the
nature of accommodation is similar to hostel facilities having a coed dorm. Along with, it
provides a series of facilities including wood burning Sauna, fireplace in the outdoor fire pit and
is accompanied with off the grid living, that involves no electricity, no running water and self
service kitchens which makes a perfect detox vacation. The rates vary from $ 229 for Early
Birds, $209 for previous Pass holders and $269 for HI Members. The standard per head rate per
night is CAD 31.19 and for HI Members is 27.98 Canadian dollars (HI Mosquito Creek,
Wilderness Hostel, 2019).

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Discussion
Resorts Costs Amenities Limitations
Echo Valley Ranch,
Jesmond, B.C.
500-600 CAD in
Average
 Deluxe rooms
 Outdoor activities
 Yoga and Thai Spa for
relaxation
 Detox Package
available
 Complimentary WiFi
available
 Pricing is comparatively
higher
 Not much options for digital
detoxing.
Emerald Lake Lodge
Yoho National Park,
B.C.
250-300 CAD in
Average
 Lots of outdoor
activities
 Separate Lodges for
different experiences
 Holistic experiences
available
 WiFi is available in
limited location
 No dedicated detox packages
 Tour planning is exclusive of
the package
HI Mosquito Creek,
Banff National Park,
Alberta
250 CAD on
average for season
passes
Average of 30
CAD for daily
nights
 Financially feasible
 Lots of outdoor
activities
 Off grid Living
 Long duration stays
are available through
passes.
 No electricity and running
water facilities
 Located deep in the
wilderness
Table 1: Comparison among the resorts
Looking at the table above, the HI Mosquito Creek, Banff National Park, Alberta, is the most
suitable option for a digital detox Vacation. It allows for an off grid living that offers the perfect

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facilities for a digital detox vacation. The non availability of electricity and running water make
the location a perfect choice for detoxing the digital addiction. The other options are equally
good but have comparatively higher rates and are not completely off the grid tours. The HI
Mosquito creek Hostels offer the perfect example for a digital detox vacation.
Conclusion and Recommendation
Thus we can understand that the importance of digital detox vacation is necessary to vale
the basic instinct in our lives. With the growing pace of technological advancement, our lives are
being guided by technological gadgets that allow us less amount of time to ourselves and to
activities that enrich our lives. It therefore important to detox our digital addiction from time to
time and reshape our lives to reduce the impact of the technological stress in our lives.

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References
Echo Valley Ranch & Spa. (2019). Echo Valley Ranch & Spa. Retrieved from
https://www.evranch.com/
HI Mosquito Creek, Wilderness Hostel. (2019). HI Mosquito Creek, Wilderness Hostel | Book
Direct for Best Rate. Retrieved from https://hihostels.ca/en/destinations/alberta/hi-
mosquito-creek
Book Direct for Best Rate. (2019). HI Wilderness Seasons Pass | Book Direct for Best Rate.
Retrieved from https://hihostels.ca/en/about/hostels/hi-wilderness-hostels/hi-wilderness-
seasons-pass
Canadian Rocky Mountain Resorts. (2019). Emerald Lake Lodge | Canadian Rocky Mountain
Resorts | Field BC. Retrieved from https://crmr.com/emerald/
Emek, M. (2014). Digital detox for the holidays: are we addicted?.
Dickinson, J. E., Hibbert, J. F., & Filimonau, V. (2016). Mobile technology and the tourist
experience:(Dis) connection at the campsite. Tourism management, 57, 193-201.
HuffPost Canada. (2019). Google Says Canadians Are Addicted To And Buying More
Smartphones. Retrieved from https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/07/29/smartphones-
canadians-addicted_n_3670161.html
HuffPost Canada. (2019). Digital Detoxes In Canada: Best Resorts, Spas And Restaurants To
Unplug (PHOTOS). Retrieved from https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/10/07/digital-
detoxes-in-canada_n_4054951.html

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