Winter is on its way, bringing with it the need to escape from frigid weather, as well as travel to see our loved ones for various holiday celebrations. Tripadvisor’s newly released Winter Travel Index, an analysis compiled from its own website traffic data and consumer sentiment survey, revealed that more than half (58 percent) of Americans will travel this season. This percentage remains consistent with last year’s winter results (59 percent), though the figure has risen among Millennials (63 percent) and GenZ (68 percent) consumers.
Although the vast majority (91 percent) will be traveling this season for specific reasons and special occasions—such as national, cultural or religious holidays (43 percent), school breaks (30 percent), winter festivals (36 percent), and winter sports and activities (30 percent)—plenty are also planning trips purely for the sake of pleasure. The report indicates most Americans (76 percent) will take one or two trips this winter, while nearly one-quarter (24 percent) are planning three or more, which is well above the average of other global markets surveyed.
Family making plans for holiday travel. (photo via iStock/Getty Images Plus/svetikd)
Top Trending Winter Destinations
In terms of where they’re heading, most U.S. travelers (68 percent) intend to stay stateside, while one-third (32 percent) are going abroad. Among those who have an international getaway planned, 19 percent will also be traveling domestically during the winter season. As was the case during autumn, 71 percent of U.S. travelers will visit a destination they have been to before, while 29 percent will travel somewhere new and 59 percent will book activities to enhance their experience.
Stateside, U.S. travelers are opting for such perennially popular places as New York City, Orlando and Las Vegas, which respectively snagged the top three spots on the list of top domestic destinations. Meanwhile, parts of the Caribbean and Mexico make up the entire top 10 list of in-demand international destinations for Americans.
In a broader sense, islands and sunny beach spots around the globe are dominating the travel landscape during the North American winter, beating out bustling European locales amid the colder weather. Several lesser-known spots in the Caribbean and up-and-coming Asian cities constitute all but one of the top 10 list.
In fact, the number one top trending overseas destination is Las Galeras, a remote fishing community on the northeast coast of the Dominican Republic, which is renowned for its striking landscapes, breathtaking white-sand beaches melting into crystalline turquoise waters. Las Galeras boasts a variety of outdoor activities, including great hiking opportunities, horseback riding or ATV-ing through lush forests, as well as all kinds of water sports and whale watching.
Snow falling in New York City. (Photo via iStock / Getty Images Plus / GummyBone)
Top 10 Trending International Destinations for Winter:
- Las Galeras, Dominican Republic
- Fasmendoo, Maldives
- Hong Kong, China
- Frederiksted, U.S. Virgin Islands
- Herradura, Costa Rica
- Mudhdhoo, Maldives
- Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico
- Imerovigli, Greece
- Osaka, Japan
- Playa Panama, Costa Rica
A beautiful beach in the Dominican Republic. (photo via cristianl/iStock/Getty Images Plus)
Trending Travel Types
The thrill of the open road is back in style, not just as a pandemic pastime but as the winter trip type of choice for 25 percent of Americans. Tripadvisor’s research suggests that the next most popular are cultural sightseeing (16 percent) and nature-focused (14 percent) journeys. The study found that 41 percent of Americans will fly to their destination and 38 percent will drive this season, indicating a desire to take back control of their transportation and avoid the unpredictability of air travel. Also, U.S. survey participants proved more likely to stay with friends or family on their trips.
Kids ready for a road trip and wearing their Santa hats. (Photo via Nadezhda1906 / iStock / Getty Images Plus)
Trending Travel Experiences
In terms of the activities and experiences that Americans are booking as part of their winter wanderlust, outdoor activities (33 percent), food and wine tours (30 percent) and shopping (29 percent) top the list. Notably, U.S. travelers are largely prioritizing outdoor adventures, as 36 percent will take part in open-air activities during their winter travels, whether it's exploring nature's wonders, diving into any number of adrenaline-pumping activities or unwinding amid scenic landscapes.
Ziplining in Dominican Republic (photo by Nick Argires, courtesy of Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism) (Photo Credit: Ziplining in Dominican Republic)
While relaxation and rejuvenation remain the most-cited purposes of winter trips, 30 percent of Americans reported that their main motivation was to have an adventure, outpacing the global average of 23 percent. And, it’s no surprise that, although every generation seeks relaxation on their vacation, younger travelers (GenZ and Millennials) are more inclined to seek adventure and explore new horizons compared to their older counterparts (GenX and Boomers).
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