It’s no surprise that travel won’t be slowing down anytime soon, especially when Tripadvisor reports that over two-thirds of global travelers are planning a trip between this December and next February – but where will everyone be going?
Tripadvisor can give a good indication, as it recently conducted a survey across six of its markets, which included the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and Japan, to find out some of the travel trends for the upcoming season, and the insights might surprise you.
How Do America’s Top International Destinations Compare To Others?
Each market ranked its top domestic and international destination, and overall findings backed up that 30% of all respondents plan to vacation closer to home, as shown by the selection of top international destinations by each country.
Americans chose Mexico and the Caribbean in eight out of ten of its top destinations, with Mexico representing four destinations in the top five. Mexico is a popular option for Christmas this year and has many reasons for enticing so many Americans.
Meanwhile, the United Kingdom gravitated towards international destinations in Europe, such as Paris, France, Amsterdam, Netherlands, and multiple locations in Spain. Australia chose six out of ten destinations in Thailand, while both Japan and Singapore selected Bangkok, Thailand, Seoul, South Korea, and Paris, France in their top five.
The most popular global destinations across all Tripadvisor respondents represented a mix of major cities and winter sun favorites, with London coming in at number one, followed by Paris, New York City, Cancun, and Dubai.
How Do U.S. Travel Behaviors Compare To The Other Markets?
Tripadvisor reported that traveler appetite has shown no sign of slowing down despite the rising costs with global inflation. More respondents than last year favored taking international trips, which increased from 40% to 43%, showing strong demand for international travel. Other highlights included:
- Americans are most likely to travel the same amount or more compared to last year; 93% of U.S. respondents will travel the same amount or more, while the U.K. sits the lowest at 86%.
- America ranks lower than other markets for traveling this upcoming season: over two-thirds of global participants plan to travel for the upcoming season, while America comes in as the fourth country at 59%.
- Americans will be taking more 6+ trips compared to other markets. Other markets represented higher numbers for just one to two trips.
- After Japan, Americans travel the least internationally. Almost a quarter of U.S. respondents will travel internationally, compared to nine out of ten people for Singapore and half of U.K. respondents.
- More Americans will be returning to destinations that they have visited before: almost three-quarters of U.S. respondents (73%) will return to the same destination, in comparison to the other markets (68%).
- U.S respondents are almost on par with the globe for changing their travel behaviors based on rising living costs. This shows that almost two-thirds of the networks have been affected by rising living costs, which is the same for Americans (61% said they would change travel behaviors compared to 62% of all respondents).
What are the top 5 International destinations for Americans?
- 1. Cancun, Mexico: with its beautiful turquoise waters, white-sand beaches, and vibrant coral reefs, it’s no surprise that Cancun is one of Mexico’s most popular destinations and a favorite for Spring Breakers. Visitors will find plenty of action, from visiting underwater sculptures to its nonstop nightlife.
- 2. Cabo San Lucas, Mexico: nestled between the desert, sea, and mountains, this location is perfect for the nature-seekers with waterfalls in deserts, hot springs, and plenty of marine life, or for the foodies where local flavors come alive with Bajan specialties such as fresh seafood tostadas and chocolate clams. Cabo also recently beat out Puerto Vallarta and Cancun for Best Destination in a major Mexican award show.
- 3. Punta Cana, Caribbean: from soaking up the sun on Macao Beach to partying in a cave nightclub at dark, indulgence has become synonymous with this pure escape in the Dominican Republic with all-inclusive resorts and stunning attractions to visit, from magical lagoons to breathtaking islands. Punta Cana looks very likely to have a record-breaking winter.
- 4. Playa Del Carmen, Mexico: a playground for nature enthusiasts, history buffs, and party animals, this once sleepy fishing village has turned into a lively hotspot with plenty of bars and fun boutiques to explore.
- 5. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico: this resort town will offer an abundance of shopping and tequila stops along its boardwalk or hit the cobblestone streets of Old Vallarta for something more hand-made. There is plenty of art to see, from sand sculpting creations on the beach to the fine art galleries.
