More Americans are traveling for Thanksgiving than ever, according to Allianz Global Assistance’s Top 10 Thanksgiving Destination Index, which saw an eight percent increase in travelers from 2017. For the fourth year running, New York City and Cancun are Americans’ preferred domestic and international Thanksgiving destinations, respectively.
Allianz Global Assistance reviewed Americans’ travel plans around Thanksgiving, with travel scheduled between November 17 and 27, 2018. After the Big Apple, the top U.S. destinations in order of popularity include Atlanta, Los Angeles, Orlando, Boston, Dallas, Seattle, Detroit, Phoenix and Minneapolis. Detroit, Phoenix and Minneapolis are new to the list this year, knocking out Chicago, San Francisco and D.C., who were featured in the 2017 rankings.
While travel to Cancun is down from last year (8.7 percent), it still tops the international destinations list, and Mexico as a country claims four spots total: San Jose Del Cabo at number five, Puerto Vallarta at nine and Mexico City at 10. The other Top 10 destinations in order of popularity are: London, Paris, San Juan, Montego Bay, Nassau and Punta Cana.
Punta Cana and Mexico City both make their debut in the international Top 10 index this year, and San Juan reclaimed its spot after holding third place in 2015 and 2016 but falling off in 2017 following Hurricane Maria. More distant destinations like Tokyo, which made the top 10 the past three years, and Italian cities Rome and Nassau, did not make this year’s list after inclusion in the Top 10 in 2017.
The day before Thanksgiving (Wednesday, November 21) is the busiest departure day according to Allianz’s index, and Sunday, November 25 is the busiest return date.
“Our annual index finds that Thanksgiving travel is up eight percent from 2017,” said Daniel Durazo, director of marketing and communications at Allianz Global Assistance USA, in a written statement. “And despite a tough year for Mexico, Americans are still visiting the destination in droves.”
Source: Allianz Global Assistance
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