Winter travel is a good time for deals in both warm-weather and cold-weather destinations.
For those looking to take advantage of savings and seasonal activities, a new WalletHub survey is revealing the top winter destinations.
Gail Vida Hamburg, professor of hospitality and tourism management for the Heller College of Business at Roosevelt University said good deals will be particularly easy to find in warm-weather destinations this winter.
"There has been a decline of as much as 16 percent in international tourism to the U.S. for two reasons: the travel ban, the Trump presidency and incidents of mistreatment of tourists at U.S. airports by airport security and the global economic downturn," noted Hamburg. "Los Angeles, San Diego and Florida are seeing declines in international tourism. This bodes well for Americans who wish to travel to sunshine states in the winter."
Robert Warren, an instructor in the department of marketing at the University of North Dakota agrees.
"The outlook for this winter travel season is strong," he said. "We are seeing Southwest and Allegiant adding new travel destinations in such states as Texas, Hawaii and Florida, that are preferred destinations for people from northern states."
He also noted the National Weather Service is predicting below-normal temperatures and above-average snowfall amounts for northern states, who rely on winter tourists arriving for outdoor activities.
"The two things that will ramp up the bookings are a major cold wave or snowstorm," said Warren.
When traveling to cold-weather destinations, there is one activity that stands out for many in addition to outdoor pursuits: shopping.
Brian J. Tyrell, professor of hospitality and tourism management studies at the school of business at Stockton University, said that "shopping is a major attractor for those wishing to travel in the early months of winter."
Winter Travel Hot Spots
Top destinations for winter travel according to the WalletHub study include destinations from coast to coast.
Chicago was in the number-one spot on the list. The city has been attracting a record number of visitors of late and with fine shopping and a winter feel, the colder months could be a win for the city.
Number two on the list was Portland, Oregon. The city is well known for being foodie-friendly, with its beer and its distinctive donuts. None of that stops because of cold weather.
Washington, D.C., is a hotbed of activity in the summer, but it's also on WalletHub's list of top winter destinations. People travel from all over to see the famous cherry blossoms, which indicate that winter is nearing an end and spring is around the corner.
Number four on the list of cold-weather destinations is Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, which was also recently recognized for its popularity with holiday travelers.
New York, which is number five on the list, is simply magical during the holidays. There are multiple packages that travelers can enjoy when heading to the city during the winter months.
It's an Endless Summer in These Southern Cities
The most popular warm-weather destinations are found in the southern parts of the continental U.S.
Orlando comes in at number one and visitors looking to take advantage of holiday deals will be handsomely rewarded in theme park areas such as Disney Springs.
Travelers may want to travel to Las Vegas, which was number two on the list. There, they will find new rooms at Planet Hollywood, a revamped Caesars Palace, new attractions and entertainment.
Number-three San Diego has been hailed as one of the best places to travel to in the winter with near-perfect weather and world-famous attractions.
Coming in at number four is Austin, one of the best foodie cities in America. With mild climate and good prices on airfare, it's an ideal stop in the winter months. There's also a pretty famous festival that takes place in the city that might make a visit even more enticing.
Los Angeles is a year-round destination but certainly travelers can't go wrong with a visit during the winter months when mild temperatures offer a respite for those living in colder climes.
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