Tripadvisor has issued its annual Spring Travel Index, based on a combination of search and sentiment data to determine what’s hot this spring. Travel is in full bloom this spring after a sluggish winter with many delayed vacation plans.
Despite rising fuel prices and overall inflation, consumers aren’t willing to hamper their spring vacation plans. As a result, more than half of Americans (53 per cent) expect to travel this spring (March 1 to May 31, 2022), with more than a third (39 per cent) planning two or more trips. This is a significant increase from the slightly over a third of Americans (35 per cent) who said they travelled this winter (December 1, 2021 – February 28, 2022).
Travelers are expected to spend more money in addition to taking more trips. Over half (51 per cent) of Americans who traveled last spring and planned to do so again say they will spend more than they did in 2021. Nearly a quarter (23 per cent) said they would spend “much more.” Indeed, according to Tripadvisor data, the average spend per booking for US travelers this spring is up 87 per cent year over year (YOY).
According to Tripadvisor search statistics, Americans’ most popular travel dates in spring are March 31, March 11, and March 12, respectively, indicating that busier flights and roads are just ahead!
What are their plans?
Domestic travel is still the most popular among Americans, with 77 per cent planning to travel within the country between March and May this year. However, foreign travel is regaining popularity. This spring, nearly a quarter of Americans (23 per cent) plan to vacation worldwide.
This spring, seven of the top ten fastest-growing destinations (based on YOY growth) are located outside the United States. In addition, the top three most popular international travel destinations this spring are the classic European cities of Paris, London, and Rome.
Hawaii is enjoying the most YOY growth in the United States, owing to the state’s recent relaxation of travel restrictions. Regarding attracting the most visitors, Orlando, Florida, is expected to be the most popular location for Americans this spring. Orlando is a perennially popular springtime holiday destination for families. Meanwhile, this spring, Cancun, Mexico, is Americans’ most popular overseas vacation.
The best springtime activities
Given the pandemic’s toll over the last two years, it’s no surprise that Americans picked rest and relaxation as the most popular reason for their spring vacations (51 per cent ). This is closely followed by getting away from it all (49 per cent) and seeing family and friends (44 per cent ).
On their next trip, over half of Americans (45 per cent) indicated they wanted to do something new and different. As a result, 4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours, Day Trips, Cultural Tours, Snorkeling, and Wine Tasting & Winery Tours are among the top five trending experience categories for spring 2022.
The pool, bar/lounge, and restaurant are lodgings’ top three searched and booked features this spring. Meanwhile, road trips (44 per cent) are the most popular form of trip this spring, followed by beach visits (39 per cent) and shopping trips (30 per cent).
The data cited was gathered and analyzed from two key sources:
- First, a Tripadvisor Consumer Sentiment Survey, based on data drawn from an online survey of over 5,000 consumers, in partnership with Qualtrics, conducted between February 22, 2022, through February 28, 2022, across six countries – US, UK, Australia, Italy, Singapore and Japan.
- Site behavioral data sourced from first-party traffic data on the Tripadvisor platform gathered during the week commencing February 21, 2022, for searches made by US travelers from January 1, 2022, through February 22, 2022, for travel between March 1, 2022, through May 31, 2022.
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