Hot to Trot Destinations for 2014

Americans Hitting the Road for Memorial Day
Nearly three quarters (74 percent) of those traveling for Memorial Day will travel by car, while 31 percent will take to the skies. For those getting behind the wheel for the holiday weekend, roadways will be busiest Friday, May 23, when 33 percent of travelers plan to depart and Monday, May 26, when 38 percent say they will return home.

Gas prices1 are up 19 cents per gallon from last year, and travelers have taken notice: 32 percent said the price of gas will impact their Memorial Day travel plans, up 25 percent from last year:

1 According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, national average per gallon for regular gas, April 28, 2014, April 29, 2013, and April 30, 2012.

Shelling Out for Summer
Thirty-six percent plan to spend more on their leisure summer travel in 2014 than last year, and 14 percent will use some of their tax return dollars for their getaway.

The most popular activity for travelers this summer won’t necessarily take place in the sun, but in the stores—54 percent of respondents plan to shop while on vacation.

Other top activities for summer trips:

• Swimming / watersports – 49%
• Visiting a historical event or sight – 49%
• Going to a park or national park – 46%
• Sightseeing tours – 46%

Destinations for Summer Travel
Sixty-six percent of survey respondents will travel domestically this summer and below are the top U.S. destinations for the 2014 summer travel period, according to TripAdvisor site search data for June 1 – August 31:

1. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
2. Las Vegas, Nevada
3. New York City, New York
4. Destin, Florida
5. Ocean City, Maryland
6. Orlando, Florida
7. Virginia Beach, Virginia
8. San Francisco, California
9. San Diego, California
10. Key West, Florida

The most popular destination types this summer:

• Beach / ocean – 45%
• City – 42%
• National park – 21%
• Lake – 17%
• Resort – 14%

As for accommodations, the majority of travelers will stay at a hotel (69 percent), followed by the home of family / friends (26 percent), and vacation rentals (22 percent).

Ice Cream and Beer Top Summer Indulgences
U.S. respondents cited ice cream (18 percent), lobster (14 percent), and watermelon (9 percent) as their favorite summer foods, while beer (16 percent), margaritas (11 percent), and lemonade (9 percent) are the most popular beverages.

“Summer is typically the most popular vacation season, but this year Americans are really chomping at the bit to travel after the Polar Vortex,” said Brooke Ferencsik, director of communications at TripAdvisor. “A third of respondents are already expecting to increase summer travel spending, so it appears there’s no stopping winter-worn travelers from finding their happy place in the sun this year.”