Step aside, CocoCay. Royal Caribbean's private island could soon face some serious competition.
14.05.2024 - 16:19 / thepointsguy.com / Paula Twidale
If you think Memorial Day weekend might be a busy one for travel, you're right. Before you pack a suitcase and hop in the car or take to the sky, here's what to expect by the numbers.
Demand for flights this Memorial Day weekend is up nearly 15% compared to last year, according to recently released flight data from Expedia. Search preferences are split between city getaways and beach retreats to mark the onset of summer.
Las Vegas, New York, Orlando and Chicago are among the top domestic destinations. A few international destinations have seen a surge in popularity, according to Expedia's search data. Searches for Tokyo are up 50% year over year, and searches for Turks and Caicos are up 45%. These destinations are followed by Punta Cana at 30%, Aruba at 25% and Cancun at 20%.
According to AAA, air travel will exceed pre-coronavirus pandemic levels for the same time frame. Nearly 3.51 million travelers are expected to fly to their destination this Memorial Day weekend — an increase of 4.8% over last year.
"We haven't seen Memorial Day weekend travel numbers like these in almost 20 years," said Paula Twidale, senior vice president of AAA Travel. "We're projecting an additional one million travelers this holiday weekend compared to 2019, which not only means we're exceeding pre-pandemic levels but also signals a very busy summer travel season ahead."
Airports haven't seen this much Memorial Day weekend volume since 2005, when 3.64 million people flew for the holiday as the travel industry finally rebounded post-9/11, according to AAA numbers.
As TPG reported last week, United Airlines announced it's forecasting its busiest Memorial Day weekend on record, with more than 3 million travelers expected to fly between May 23 and 28 — up 5% from the comparable period last year.
Meanwhile, air traffic control is still understaffed. This has led the Federal Aviation Administration to allow airlines to reduce flights without penalty in busy areas like New York City and thus lessen the burden on the agency.
On the plus side, the Transportation Security Administration continues to expand the usage of its facial recognition software at select airports in the U.S., though it's yet to be seen if it will speed up the wait times.
Related: 6 key tools and tips to find the cheapest airfare
If you plan to drive this holiday weekend, prepare to share the road with 38.4 million other Americans with the same idea. AAA reports road trips are up 4% over last year — an increase of more than 1.5 million.
Travelers who plan on leaving on Thursday or Friday should aim to get on the road early to avoid mixing with commuters, according to the transportation analysts at Inrix. For return trips home on Sunday or Monday, try to avoid
Step aside, CocoCay. Royal Caribbean's private island could soon face some serious competition.
Bonaire stands out as a holiday destination in the Caribbean for several unique reasons.
Millions of travelers took to the skies over the Memorial Day holiday weekend in record-setting numbers, but flight delays and cancellations rolled into Tuesday and created a post holiday weekend hangover.
Photographer Martin Parr’s 1999 film Think of England captures the nostalgic appeal of Weymouth: roast dinners at seafront B&Bs, pensioners with cones of Mr Whippy, the carousel whirling to the familiar tune of the funfair organ. “It’s not a resort that needs a lot of razzmatazz,” says the man sitting in front of a “Sorry, No Vacancies” sign.
The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development (TDTD) is inviting cyclists to experience Tennessee on 52 new curated road cycling routes that wind their way through the state’s picturesque landscapes. The new program, Bike Tennessee, launched today at BikeTN.com and allows cyclists to engage with the routes using the app Ride with GPS. “From our music to our makers, Tennessee is a state full of storytellers and our beauty is unmatched,” said Commissioner Mark Ezell, TDTD. “As travelers increasingly seek sustainable and authentic experiences, we invite them to explore our scenic routes and discover the charm of our small towns. We are pleased to partner with Ride with GPS and showcase the hidden gems and breathtaking landscapes that define our state.”
It's that time of year again—spring is finally turning into summer and travelers are excitedly planning their next great vacation. As we celebrate Memorial Day weekend, the last hurrah before the official beginning of the summer season, we can't forget about the many great travel deals that are popping up this week. From PLAY's Memorial Day flash sale to Cruise Croatia's 20 percent off savings for active and retired military, there is no shortage of great deals.
For most of her life, toggling between New York and Los Angeles was the extent of bicoastal Honey Balenciaga's travels. That changed when the 22-year-old ballroom princess danced with Beyoncé on last year's blockbuster Renaissance World Tour and was swept up in a whirlwind trek across Europe and North America in the process—all told, there were 56 shows in 39 cities between May and October of 2023. Hamburg, unexpectedly, was a favorite stop.
Florida — home to busy beaches, Disney World, and a cruise industry so successful that local ports simply can't keep up with demand.
Short-term rentals are experiencing a boost for this year’s Memorial Day.
Memorial Day officially kicks off the summer travel season here in the US, and millions of travelers plan relaxing long weekends around it. But in order to get to a sunny beach or serene national park to unwind, you'll likely have to contend with stressful crowds and traffic—unless you time your great escape exactly right.
Whether you’re looking forward to a much-needed vacation or are scrambling to plan a last-minute getaway, make sure shopping some of the best Memorial Day sales is on your three-day weekend itinerary. We’ve been eyeing deals on comfortable shoes, activewear, and outdoor essentials that will get use all summer long. To make sure you don’t miss out on any of the best deals while you're barbecuing in your backyard or laying poolside this weekend, we’ve curated a list of top Memorial Day sales for travelers—some of which last well into next week—so you can shop when you have time. Read on for all the best sales to shop from travel-friendly brands we love: Everlane, Calpak, Cozy Earth, and more.
India has experienced a significant drop in the World Economic Forum’s travel and tourism rankings since 2019, falling 10 places to the 39th position. This decline has come despite the sector’s overall growth and the nation’s natural and cultural assets.