CHICAGO, April 21, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to the Orbitz® Insider Index, 75 percent of Americans plan to travel this summer, a seven percent increase year-over-year.1 Low fuel costs continue to be a factor in driving down the price of airfare. As a result, airfares decreased 10 percent while hotel rates rose 17 percent for the 2016 summer travel season.
Most travelers plan to stay close to home, with 80 percent taking a stateside vacation, according to the Orbitz Insider Index. In fact, seven of the top 10 destinations are domestic, whereas European favorites such as London and Paris have fallen off the top 10 list this year. Rather, Americans traveling abroad are choosing Mexico and Caribbean hotspots that offer the appeal of off-season summer deals.
“Affordable airfare, low gas prices, and a strong hotel market are early indications this will be a busy summer travel season,” said Orbitz Senior Editor Jeanenne Tornatore. “And with average vacation budgets under $1,500, travelers will be seeking out savings, which they’ll find by booking packages and using hotel promotion codes.”
ORBITZ INSIDER INDEX: 2016 TOP SUMMER TRAVEL DESTINATIONS2
The summer edition of the Orbitz Insider Index reveals the top 10 destinations for summer travel based on Orbitz.com hotel bookings from June 1–August 31, 2016, as well as year-over-year changes in average hotel and airfare prices compared to summer 2015.
Key insights:
- On average, airfare is down 10 percent while hotel rates are up 17 percent in summer’s most popular destinations.
- Mainstay “play” destinations like Las Vegas, Chicago and Orlando continue to top the list.
- Off-season beach destinations in Mexico and the Caribbean—such as Riviera Maya, Cancun and Punta Cana—appeal to travelers looking for an international escape on a budget.
| Rank | Market | 2015 Average daily hotel rate | 2016 Average daily hotel rate | YOY Change | 2015 Average airfare | 2016 Average airfare | YOY Change | ||||||||||||
| 1 | Chicago, Ill. | $ | 193 | $ | 234 | 21 | % | $ | 387 | $ | 380 | -2 | % | ||||||
| 2 | Las Vegas, Nev. | $ | 113 | $ | 131 | 15 | % | $ | 362 | $ | 327 | 10 | % | ||||||
| 3 | Los Angeles, Calif. | $ | 179 | $ | 192 | 7 | % | $ | 475 | $ | 389 | -18 | % | ||||||
| 4 | Cancun, Mexico | $ | 280 | $ | 293 | 5 | % | $ | 502 | $ | 440 | -12 | % | ||||||
| 5 | Riviera Maya, Mexico | $ | 282 | $ | 268 | -5 | % | $ | 502 | $ | 440 | -12 | % | ||||||
| 6 | Miami, Fla. | $ | 153 | $ | 189 | 23 | % | $ | 401 | $ | 353 | -12 | % | ||||||
| 7 | New York, N.Y. | $ | 252 | $ | 297 | 18 | % | $ | 487 | $ | 422 | -13 | % | ||||||
| 8 | Orlando, Fla. | $ | 158 | $ | 185 | 17 | % | $ | 351 | $ | 304 | -13 | % | ||||||
| 9 | Punta Cana, DR | $ | 279 | $ | 242 | -13 | % | $ | 607 | $ | 511 | -16 | % | ||||||
| 10 | San Diego, Calif. | $ | 187 | $ | 209 | 11 | % | $ | 416 | $ | 382 | -10 | % | ||||||
CHEAPEST WEEKS TO BOOK
According to the Orbitz.com Summer Travel Survey, the most traveled holiday of the summer is July Fourth. Historic Orbitz.com booking data based on the past three years shows the best time to book this popular weekend is June 1–7 for the cheapest airfare, when flights are 10 percent lower than the average ticket during the most expensive week. For Memorial Day weekend, travelers will discover deals closer to the holiday, with the cheapest average airfares May 4–10, a 17 percent savings over the most expensive week.
CHEAPEST WEEKS TO TRAVEL
Orbitz.com air analysts also looked back at three years of booking data to help travelers plot the cheapest weeks to take summer vacations: Flying the first week of June, first week of July and last week of August net the best deals on airfare.
For a full calendar of the cheapest weeks to travel for summer 2016, visit the Orbitz Blog.
Terms and Conditions
1The Orbitz.com summer survey was fielded by Orbitz March 31 – April 1, 2016 via Google Consumer Surveys. 780 adults aged 18 or older who had traveled within 12 months were surveyed.
2Top Summer Travel Destinations data based on all Orbitz.com hotel bookings (standalone and as part of a package) for travel between June 1 and August 31, 2016.
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