Road Trips and Caribbean Escapes Top Tripadvisor's Winter Travel Trends

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Nov 14, 2023, 07:00 ET

Key Takeaways:

Cost remains the most important factor when planning a trip; however, it is not hindering travel
International travel continues to rise, with destinations across the Caribbean and Asia trending
Road tripping is the most popular trip type for Americans this winter

NEEDHAM, Mass., Nov. 14, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Tripadvisor's Winter Travel Index, released today, reveals that 58% of Americans in a recent survey will travel this season. Though the findings are on par with Tripadvisor's data last winter (59%), this figure rises to 63% of Millennial and 68% of GenZ travelers who say they will travel this season.

The vast majority (91%) are planning travel for specific seasonal reasons, including winter festivals (36%), winter sports and activities (30%), school breaks (30%), and national, cultural or religious holidays (43%).

"This season, we're seeing Americans confident in taking bigger trips. About half plan to travel more than they did last winter, and they are more likely to take a long trip (5+ nights)," said Alice Jong, Senior Research Analyst at Tripadvisor. "Price and weather top the list of hesitations about travel, while COVID-19 has dropped to a more moderate concern. The bottom line is the vast majority (73%) agree that travel is extremely important to them, and they'll prioritize it this season and into 2024."

Cost Cutting Dwindles
Cost remains the most important determinant for Americans planning a trip, and prices influence travel dates for 40%; however, cost is not hindering travel. In fact, 93% of Americans planning to travel this winter will spend the same or more on travel than they did last year. Furthermore, 57% will travel as planned this season regardless of economic factors.

Of the 34% reporting they'll alter their travel plans due to economic factors, not all face negative impacts. Respondents cite lower inflation and gas prices, strength of currency and positive change in financial circumstances as reasons they'll elevate their winter travel plans.

As such, Tripadvisor's Winter Travel Index indicates an uptick in travel due to positive economic factors: one-quarter (25%) will take more trips and 30% will take longer trips.

While most Americans will take 1-2 trips (76%) this winter, nearly one-quarter (24%) will plan three or more – well above the average of all other markets surveyed* (14%); once again, this finding underscores how Americans are comfortable traveling and spending money. Notably, GenZ is most likely to take more trips (3-5).

International Travel Continues Growth
While domestic travel reigns supreme, with 68% of American travelers planning to stay stateside this winter, one-third (32%) of Americans intend to travel abroad, including 14% planning an international trip and 19% traveling both domestically and internationally. This figure maintains steady growth over the past several seasons, commensurate with reopened borders and decreased financial strain.

Additionally, traveling 4-6 hours from home is the most popular (39%), but more than one-third (36%) of avid travelers will venture over seven hours, illustrating that people are willing to devote time to get to their winter vacation.

Consistent with this fall, 71% of U.S. travelers will visit a destination they have been to before (this is most common for Boomers). Still, looking to broaden their horizons, 29% will travel somewhere new and 59% will book activities to enhance their trips.

Caribbean & Asian Destinations Trending
The top destinations Americans will visit this winter, based on Tripadvisor's first-party data, include the quintessentially popular New York City, Orlando and Las Vegas, respectively. Internationally, Mexico and the Caribbean make up all the top 10 most popular winter destinations for Americans, as sunny beach spots beat out bustling European cities as colder weather arises. However, lesser-known destinations from the Caribbean are alongside Asian cities on the rise this winter, seeing the greatest year-over-year growth in interest.

Trending International Destinations

Las Galeras, Dominican Republic
1. On the northeast coast of the D.R., Las Galeras is renowned for its beautiful, yet remote, beaches and hiking opportunities.
Fasmendhoo, Maldives
1. This small island in the north Maldives is home to one of the top all-inclusives in the world, according to Tripadvisor's 2023 Travelers' Choice Awards.
Hong Kong, China
1. Delectable dim sum, floating islands, and a one-of-a-kind skyline are just some of Hong Kong's enchanting features.
Frederiksted, U.S. Virgin Islands
1. On the island of St. Croix, Frederiksted is a popular cruise port. History, beaches and botanical gardens mark the destination's most popular activities.
Herradura, Costa Rica
1. This coastal town's name derives from the horseshoe shape of its bay. It's popular for horseback riding and catamaran adventures.
Mudhdhoo, Maldives
1. Mudhdhoo is an island in the Baa Atoll that looks exactly like the Maldives from pictures: clear blue seas, overwater bungalows, and white sand beaches.
Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico
1. On the southwest coast of Puerto Rico, Cabo Rojo's National Wildlife Refuge is known for its diverse ecosystems, including mangroves and coral reefs. Plus, don't miss the breathtaking salt flats.
Imerovigli, Greece
1. Imerovigli looks exactly as a Santorini village should: iconic whitewashed buildings with sapphire domes, narrow crisscrossing walking paths, and picturesque sunsets.
Osaka, Japan
1. Osaka is a stylish shopping hub with an excellent culinary scene. Top city attractions include the aquarium, Osaka Castle, Universal Studios Japan, and the futuristic Floating Garden Observatory.
Playa Panama, Costa Rica
1. Another Costa Rican adventure spot, Play Panama, on the northwest part of the island, is famous for its wildlife and waterfalls.

Road Trips on a Roll
Not just a pandemic pastime, road trips regain popularity as the top trip type (25%) for Americans this winter, followed by cultural sightseeing (16%) and nature (14%). This differs from all other countries surveyed where culture is the No. 1 trip type.

While 41% of Americans will fly to their destination, 38% will drive. U.S. respondents are also more likely to stay with friends and family on their trip. These preferences paint a desire for more control and a shift away from unpredictable air travel.

Best Time to Travel
December 25-31 will be the most popular travel week, based on hotel searches on Tripadvisor, unsurprisingly as it coincides with school vacations. December 26 is the No. 1 hotel check-in day, as many opt to enjoy Christmas as home before jetting off on vacation. Travelers looking to avoid congestion should steer clear of this time as possible.

For those still planning where and when to go, below are the most affordable weeks** to visit popular destinations during the winter period:

New York City: January 29-February 4
Orlando: December 11-17
Las Vegas: December 18-24
Cancun: December 4-10
Punta Cana: December 11-17
Cabo San Lucas: December 4-10

Action & Adventure
The most popular experiences Americans surveyed have booked so far include outdoor activities (33%); food and wine tours (30%) and shopping (29%). Again, Americans differ from their international counterparts, who rank cultural tours/historical sites as the most popular travel experiences.

Though they may skew away from culture, Americans are prioritizing adventure this winter, as 36% will take part in outdoor activities on their trip.

While making memories and relaxing/rejuvenating represent the top purposes of winter trips, nearly one-third (30%) of Americans cite their main goal as having an adventure, up from the 23% global average. Notably, while every generation prioritizes relaxation, younger respondents (Millennials and GenZ) are more likely to seek adventure and explore something new than older generations (Boomers and GenX).

Across the board, Americans are packing their trips with activities: 32% have/will book 1-2 activities, 56% will book 3-5 (above global average of 44%), and 12% will book 6-8 (above global average of 7%). These will most frequently be a mix of free and paid activities.

Many of the most-booked experiences to-date on Tripadvisor speak to travelers' thirst for adventure:

Jungle Queen Riverboat Cruise - Fort Lauderdale
Half Day Snorkel Trip on Reefs - Key West
Chichen Itza, Cenote and Valladolid Tour - Cancun
Small-Group Cruising and Snorkeling Catamaran Tour - Punta Cana
ATV and RZR Jorullo Bridge Experience - Puerto Vallarta
UTV & ATV Aruba's Secret Beach & Cave Pool Adventure - Aruba
Guided LED Night Kayak Excursion - Puerto Rico

A Look Ahead
The travel landscape in 2024 looks promising: over three-quarters of Americans surveyed (77%) plan to travel next year. The vast majority of those (94%) will travel the same amount or more than they did in 2023.

Initial Tripadvisor research results reveal June and July will be the most popular travel months for Americans, unsurprisingly as summer vacations commence. March and May are slated to be the next major travel times.

Notes to Editor
*Markets surveyed include Australia, Italy, Japan, Singapore, U.K. & U.S.

**Most affordable time to visit is based on the lowest price week of the average hotels that Americans are searching on Tripadvisor between August 1 - September 30, 2023, for travel between December 1, 2023 - February 29, 2024, in a sample of the most popular winter travel destinations.

Methodology
The data cited in this release was gathered and analyzed from two key sources:

A Tripadvisor Consumer Sentiment Survey, based on data drawn from an online survey of over 2,400 consumers, in partnership with Qualtrics, conducted between October 9-13, 2023 across six countries, including Australia, Italy, Japan, Singapore, U.K. & U.S.
Site behavioral data sourced from first party traffic data on the Tripadvisor platform for searches made by travelers in the U.S., U.K. and Japan between August 1 - September 30, 2023 for travel between December 1, 2023 - February 29, 2024.

About Tripadvisor
Tripadvisor, the world's largest travel guidance platform*, helps hundreds of millions of people each month** become better travelers, from planning to booking to taking a trip. Travelers across the globe use the Tripadvisor site and app to discover where to stay, what to do and where to eat based on guidance from those who have been there before. With more than 1 billion reviews and opinions of nearly 8 million businesses, travelers turn to Tripadvisor to find deals on accommodations, book experiences, reserve tables at delicious restaurants and discover great places nearby. As a travel guidance company available in 43 markets and 22 languages, Tripadvisor makes planning easy no matter the trip type. The subsidiaries of Tripadvisor, Inc. (Nasdaq: TRIP), own and operate a portfolio of travel media brands and businesses, operating under various websites and apps, including the following:

www.bokun.io, www.cruisecritic.com, www.flipkey.com, www.thefork.com, www.helloreco.com, www.holidaylettings.co.uk, www.jetsetter.com, www.niumba.com, www.seatguru.com, www.singleplatform.com, www.vacationhomerentals.com, www.viator.com.