Travel index 2016 - Where Americans Plan to go in 2016

How Americans Travel 2016

Ever wondered just how regular your vacation habits are compared to your fellow Americans? Explore the map to discover exactly where the jet setters live, who the biggest spenders are, and what everyone else is up to on their days away from the USA.

Ever wondered just how regular your vacation habits are compared to your fellow Americans? Select a region to discover exactly where the jet setters live, who the biggest spenders are, and what everyone else is up to on their days away from the USA.

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It comes as no surprise that the number one vacation destination for southern belles and dandies is down in the hazy heat of the Caribbean. After all, you share a passion for sizzling soul food and a hearty lust for life.

Interestingly enough, you’re also the most likely to visit Brazil, another place where the heat and vitality is certainly turned right up.

  • Where:

    Get ready to kick back in the sunshine, because you’re heading for a week’s vacation in the Caribbean. At 38%, Southerners are the most likely of the US to spend 7 to 10 days on vacation – try St Lucia, voted in Lonely Planet’s top 10 destinations for 2015.

  • Do:

    Eat, drink, and chill out on the beach. Southern souls are just looking to de-stress, unwind and eat to their heart’s content – more than any other region in the US! You can’t beat Anguilla’s Straw Hat restaurant for delicious food and stunning views out over the ocean.

  • Spend:

    Hey big spender! Break out the credit card, because Southerners are all about living life to the full on vacation, being the most likely of the regions to spend over $4501 (11%). From Aruban florin to Trinidad & Tobago dollars, order your Caribbean currency online.

  • Sacrifice:

    Say goodbye to exploring the US in the name of all that Caribbean soul; Southerners are most willing to sacrifice domestic vacations to other parts other US (22%) to save for their trip.

You bright eyed Westerners sure do love to travel. In fact, at 39%, you’re the most wander-lusting bunch out of all your fellow Americans.

While 11% of you will head down south across the borders into sunny Mexico, the rest of you are feeling even more far flung and are the most likely to hit France, the UK, and even Australia on your next vacation.

  • Where:

    Hop on over to Mexico for a weekend away, with Westerners the most likely of the US to take 1 to 3 days’ vacation time (11%). Check out our Mexican travel guide for everything you need to know!

  • Do:

    It’s time to practice your Spanish, señors! Westerners are most likely to want to use their language skills abroad (14%), but also want to get their Aztec on at some ancient landmarks (38%). Make your way to the ancient pyramids of Teotihuacan to experience history for yourself.

  • Spend:

    Thrifty Westerners spend the least, with 28% spending $1000 or less on their trip. You better be hungry though, because they’re most likely to whip out the debit card and spend out on food – but with tacos that good, who can blame them? Don’t miss Contramar in Mexico City to taste for yourself!

  • Sacrifice:

    Fitness! It may come as a surprise with all those super fit LA types, but Westerns are the most likely part of the US to sacrifice the gym (11%) to pay for their Mexican fiesta in the sun. Olé!

You culture vultures over in the North East love a slice of European history with 15% of you planning to head over to the continent next year. You’re also big lovers of getting out of the city smog and into the fresh air, making Canada one of your top hot spots.

And, just to mix it up a little, you guys are also the country’s biggest fans of visiting Japan. Konnichiwa to that!

  • Where:

    It’s time to discover Europe! With North Easterners being the most likely to take vacations between 10 to 15 days (26%), you’ve got plenty of time to take in all the sights over there. With 19 of the countries of Europe using the euro, it’s a great idea to take some with you.

  • Do:

    It’s all about discovering new culture (28%), unwinding (43%), and enjoying the delights of Europe. North Easterners are also big lovers of vacation food and drink (30%) – no surprise with all that Italian pasta and French fine dining to try. Don’t miss Spain’s El Celler de Can Roca – recently voted the world’s best restaurant.

  • Spend:

    With 36% of North Easterners spending between $500-$1500 on vacation, it’s all about budgeting for your enjoyment. Those North Easterners that have already decided on a destination are the most likely region to use a pre-paid currency card (15%) to keep track of their spending without missing out – so don’t forget to bring one of our Travel Money Cards on your next trip!

  • Sacrifice:

    When it comes to sacrifices, everything’s fair game! Netflix, coffee and eating out all get the chop when a North Easterner is saving up for their next trip.

There’s no place like home, eh? With only 25% of you having any travel plans in the bag for next year, you’re the least likely of the lot to jet off out of the US of A – but with so much to explore in the Midwest, we can’t really blame you.

When you do travel though, you really do go big or go home. You like to keep it nearby with Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean all topping your favourite destinations – but you also top the list for the most vacations that last over a year or more!

  • Where:

    Welcome to Canada! You’re keeping it short and sweet here, with Midwesterners the most likely of the regions to take a trip between 1 and 6 days (24%). Be sure to pick up some Canadian dollars before your trip.

  • Do:

    Head straight to Niagara Falls (try Niagara tours), because Midwesterners love a visit to a famous landmark more than anyone else in the US (40%). But don’t rush, because those laidback Midwesterners most highly value relaxing and unwinding on vacation.

  • Spend:

    Keeping things cultural, Midwesterners spend out on museum trips – our favourite is the Canadian Museum of History. They keep things on budget with 57% spending up to $2000 on vacation and are big on taking cash (30%).

  • Sacrifice:

    To vacation like a Midwesterner, you’ll be sacrificing the least! Being the least willing to give up trips around the US to fund their vacations, you’ll be seeing a lot more of Mount Rushmore than Canada’s Rocky Mountains.

Total sample size was 2,262 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken in October 2015 and the figures have been weighted and are representative of all US adults aged 18+.

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