As Thanksgiving
approaches, many Americans are preparing to travel, and the most popular
destinations for the November holiday have been unveiled by Allianz
Partners USA.
Its 2024 Thanksgiving Destination Index, based on more than
750,000 travel itineraries around Turkey Day, highlights the most popular
domestic and international hotspots where travelers are headed for their fall
season celebrations.
Roundtrip flights departing from US airports from November
23 to November 28, and returning from November 29 to December 3 were taken into
account. Whether staying stateside or venturing abroad, this year’s trends show
a mix of traditional city escapes and beach getaways.
Domestic Favorites
New
York City continues to be the go-to spot for Thanksgiving travelers,
reclaiming its top spot thanks to its iconic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and
festive atmosphere. Following closely is Seattle, which has secured the second
position for the fourth consecutive year, attracting visitors with its unique
blend of urban and outdoor experiences.
For the first
time, Dallas has made a significant leap into the top three, up from sixth
place in previous years, suggesting that the Texas city’s combination will see
a notable surge in Thanksgiving travelers. Phoenix, known for its desert
warmth, secured fourth place, while Orlando, a favorite for families heading to
theme parks, rounded out the top five, despite slipping from its previous third
position.
Decorations for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. (Photo Credit: coachwood/Adobe)
Notably, Miami
(tenth) made its first-ever debut in the top 10 list, indicating that there
will be a sizable uptick in travel to Florida.
Other major cities rounding out the top 10 include Atlanta (sixth), Los Angeles
(seventh), Boston (eight) and Chicago
(ninth).
International Escapes
While many
travelers are staying within the U.S., others are opting for both nearby and
far-flung international getaways, particularly places where they can trade crisp
autumn weather and Thanksgiving fare for sun-soaked shores and frosty margaritas.
For the fourth year in a row, a trio of Mexican beach destinations dominate the
list, with Cancun,
San
Jose Del Cabo, and Puerto
Vallarta taking the top three spots.
Rising two spots
since last year, the Bahamian capital of Nassau
has climbed to fifth place, highlighting the destination’s growing popularity. Montego
Bay, Jamaica,
which held fifth place last year, has dropped to eighth, but still attracts
plenty of tropically inclined travelers. Additionally, Punta
Cana, Dominican Republic (seventh) and Oranjestad, Aruba
(ninth) remain among the top equatorial favorites.
Meanwhile, after a
five-year hiatus, Mexico City makes a return to the top 10 list, securing the
tenth spot among international destinations. Across the Atlantic, major European
capitals are also on the radar for holiday travelers. London (fourth) and Paris
(sixth) continue to lure Americans looking for a blend of holiday celebrations
and global culture.
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