According to a recent AAA survey, 42 percent of Americans are planning to take a vacation in 2017 – with most planning trips to warm-weather destinations in the U.S. and abroad. All signs are pointing to a busy year for vacationers and the travel industry. Approximately one-third (30 percent) of U.S. adults say they are more likely to take a vacation this year compared to 2016, and they're looking for a new kind of travel experience.
"There is a lot of pent-up demand for travel in the new year," said Bill Sutherland, AAA senior vice president of travel and publishing. "Whether they're taking a road trip to a well-known domestic destination or visiting an exotic international locale, today's travelers are seeking experiences that are unique and immersive."
With much of the country in the midst of a harsh winter, warm-weather destinations in the United States and Caribbean are topping most Americans' travel itineraries. The top destinations for 2017, based on AAA's travel bookings, are:
International:
- Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (2)
- Rome, Italy (1)
- Montego Bay, Jamaica (3)
- London, England (4)
- Nassau, Bahamas (6)
Domestic:
- Orlando, Florida (1)
- Fort Lauderdale, Florida (2)
- Anaheim, California (3)
- Miami, Florida (4)
- Las Vegas, Nevada (6)
*Numbers in parentheses indicate 2016 rankings.
According to AAA, destinations with the most notable increases in travel bookings include Melbourne and Sydney, Australia; Toronto and Vancouver, Canada; and Cancun, Mexico.
