U.S. travelers are increasingly seeking warm weather and festive holiday getaways this December, as new booking data reveals a rise in travel compared to last year. According to the latest figures from AAA, an estimated 122.4 million Americans are expected to travel at least 50 miles from home during the year-end holiday period, which spans from December 20 to January 1. This marks a 2.2% increase from the previous year’s figure of 119.7 million travelers.
Stacey Barber, Vice President of AAA Travel, highlighted the diversity of year-end travel, stating, “Year-end travel is a mix of family road trips, friend getaways, and tropical vacations. Holiday celebrations look different for everyone, but a common thread is the desire to travel, whether it’s returning to your hometown or exploring new destinations.”
The breakdown of how Americans plan to travel reveals that approximately 109 million will hit the roads by car, making it the most popular form of transportation due to its convenience and affordability. Meanwhile, around 8 million travelers are expected to take to the skies, with an additional 4.9 million opting for other modes of transport.
The data further outlines the most popular destinations for holiday travelers. Cancun, Mexico, has emerged as the leading international destination, followed closely by Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, Cozumel, and San José, Costa Rica. Other notable international spots include Puerto Vallarta, San Juan, Nassau, Rome, Oranjestad, and Sydney.
In the United States, Orlando, Florida, tops the list as the most desired destination for holiday festivities. Other popular stateside spots include Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Anaheim/Los Angeles, and Honolulu. Tampa, New York City, Maui, Dallas/Fort Worth, and Las Vegas also attract significant numbers of travelers during this festive period.
AAA’s analysis is backed by collaboration with S&P Global Market Intelligence, which considered various economic indicators to forecast travel volumes. These variables included employment rates, household net worth, asset prices, interest rates, and factors pertinent to travel and tourism such as gasoline prices, airline operations, and hotel availabilities.
As travelers make their holiday plans, the data reflects a strong trend toward seeking warmth and adventure, highlighting the evolving nature of holiday celebrations across the globe.
