The holiday preferences and plans of U.S. travellers for the warmer months have seen an inclination towards beach retreats, with 70 percent of Americans planning to visit coastal locations. Followed by city breaks (58 percent), national park and wilderness retreats (56 percent), mountain escapes (50 percent), and visits to rural towns and communities (42 percent). The travel demand data reflects these preferences as beach destinations rank eighth of the 10 most in-demand U.S. locations for summer 2024, with major cities taking all the spots in the list of the top-searched international destinations.
Among the criteria for Americans when travelling is the cost, reaming the key element in the location selection process, with almost a third (32 percent) stating that price is the most important factor in their choice of a holiday destination, preceding activities and experiences (25 percent) and weather (19 percent).
In addition to the aspects above, sustainability, as well as spending, is a top determining factor when it comes to Americans’ choice of a holiday destination, with 39 percent travelling to locations closer to home this year taking into consideration climate change. By looking at holiday plans for this summer in comparison to last year, Americans will be journeying on average 518 miles less to reach their destination, covering 1,180 miles in 2024 versus 1,698 miles in 2023.
