Tripadvisor released its Winter Travel Index for 2023, revealing travel trends for the upcoming winter season. Despite the high cost of travel, Americans are not deterred, as 58% of survey respondents say they plan to travel over the winter. International travel is on the rise, and road-tripping is set to be the most popular form of travel for Americans this season.
Most respondents say they plan winter travel to coincide with seasonal events like winter festivals, winter sports, school breaks and holidays. While cost remains an important factor in travel planning, it has not hindered plans. 93% of Americans say they will spend the same or more on travel than last year, and 57% say they will travel as planned regardless of economic factors. As COVID-19 becomes less of a concern, 73% of respondents say that travel is extremely important to them.
"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.
International travel continues to increase, with 32% of Americans planning to travel abroad. Las Galeras in the Dominican Republic, Fasmendhoo in the Maldives and Hong Kong in China are top trending international travel destinations. Mexico and the Caribbean continue to be popular winter destinations.
Road-tripping is emerging as a preferred method of travel this winter. With air travel becoming increasingly unpredictable, 38% of Americans say they will drive to their destination. They’re also more likely to stay with friends and family during their travels.
Other findings reveal that U.S. travelers aim to fill their vacation days with adventures and experiences like outdoor activities and food and wine tours, with 56% of respondents aiming to book 3-5 activities for their trip.
Find the full report and more winter travel insight here.