The Top 10 US and International holiday destinations
End-of-Year Hotspots
Demand for domestic travel continues to outpace interest in trips abroad in year two of the COVID-19 pandemic. Allianz Partners USA recently analyzed nearly 4 million itineraries for roundtrip flights departing from U.S. airports between December 18-29, 2021, and returning December 19-30, 2021, and found that 87 percent of the itineraries reviewed were for domestic travel, compared to just 13 percent for international travel. There is some consistency in terms of the destinations travelers are targeting this holiday season, however, with many seeking out warm-weather cities and beach destinations ahead of the new year.
Here’s a look at the top 10 most popular domestic and international destinations for the 2021 holiday season.
10. Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas
Dallas-Fort Worth is down four spots from 2020, falling from sixth but still rounding out the top 10 most popular holiday destinations in the U.S. for 2021. DFW doesn’t offer beaches or scorching temperatures this time of year but it’s as expansive and versatile as U.S. cities come and is home to one of the country’s largest populations.
9. Salt Lake City, Utah
Further out west, Salt Lake City falls one spot from 2020 but remains a favorite for Americans traveling domestically this holiday season. Utah’s capital offers visitors quintessential winter weather as well as a slew of festive holiday events.
8. Las Vegas, Nevada
The Entertainment Capital of the World has returned to the domestic top 10 in 2021, ranking eighth overall to match its pre-pandemic position from 2019. Las Vegas shows no signs of slowing after the presents have been opened as Adele is set to kick off a residency at Caesars Palace in January.
7. Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is another big mover in 2021, rising back into the top 10 after dropping out in 2020. The city still has some progress to make to get back to its fifth-place ranking from 2019 but holiday travelers will be anything but disappointed with this versatile southern gem.
6. Boston, Massachusetts
After ranking fourth domestically in 2018, 2019 and 2020, Boston finds itself down to number six for 2021. Nonetheless, this city with incredible history and charm continues to overachieve given its sometimes frigid holiday season weather.
5. Phoenix, Arizona
On the opposite end of the climate spectrum, the Valley of the Sun maintains its number five position when it comes to the most popular domestic destinations for the holidays. The desert locale offers no shortage of seasonal events in addition to plenty of outdoor activities, mouthwatering restaurants and charming neighborhoods.
4. Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles’ steady decline continues in 2021 as the West Coast metropolis drops to number four this year, down from third in 2020 and 2019 and second in 2018. Still, the prospect of bumping elbows with A-listers, beautiful beaches and an unrivaled food and arts scene keeps L.A. at the top of travelers’ minds.
3. Orlando, Florida
The Theme Park Capital of the World, Orlando, dropped one spot this year after ranking second domestically for two consecutive years in 2019 and 2020. As the home of Disney World and Universal Resort, the destination appeals to families as few others can.
2. Seattle, Washington
This one may come as a surprise. In the Pacific Northwest, Seattle, which was 2020’s top holiday destination in the U.S., based on Allianz’s research, drops one spot to number two for 2021. The Emerald City is still searching for some consistency, however, as it ranked fifth in 2018 and sixth in 2019 prior to jumping to number one last year.
1. New York, New York
New York City returns to its rightful domestic throne as the top U.S. destination for the holidays in 2021 after slipping out of the top 10 entirely last year. The easing of COVID-19 entry requirements and the return of marquee holiday events has made the Big Apple the most coveted U.S. destination to close out 2021 and ring in 2022.
10. Paris, France
The City of Light is back among the top 10 most popular overseas destinations for the first time since 2018. However, it’s worth mentioning that France was closed to Americans last holiday season as officials restricted travel to slow the spread of COVID-19.
9. Providenciales, Turks and Caicos
The Caribbean island of Providenciales, or Provo, rose one spot from last year to ninth in 2021. Beautiful beaches and luxe resorts are always in high demand this time of year and the Caribbean offers a myriad of both.
8. Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic has made it easy for foreign tourists to visit during the pandemic and Punta Cana has benefited. The resort destination has climbed into the top 10 and supplanted Santo Domingo as the Dominican’s preferred holiday getaway.
7. Nassau, Bahamas
After plummeting out of the top 10 last year after ranking third in 2019, Nassau is back in the top 10. The Bahamian favorite is a popular vacation destination and also a bustling port that’s a favorite among cruise passengers.
6. London, England
London returns to the international top 10 for the first time in years in 2021, reaching sixth overall. Perhaps surprisingly, that’s by far the best of any European city.
5. Orangestad, Aruba
Aruba’s capital city maintains its number five position on Allianz’s international list for the holidays in 2021. Nonetheless, the island’s largest city is trending in the right direction after ranking eighth in 2018 and seventh in 2019.
4. Montego Bay, Jamaica
Montego Bay on Jamaica’s north coast jumped three spots to number four in 2021, its highest ranking in four years. The Caribbean resort destination was among the first to be recognized with the World Travel & Tourism Council’s Safe Travel stamp in the months following the onset of the pandemic last year.
3. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Mexico reigns supreme when it comes to international travel during the holiday season. Puerto Vallarta ranks third overall but is just one of three tourist-friendly Mexican destinations to rank inside the top three for 2021. The country’s popularity is propelled by its minimal COVID-19 travel restrictions.
2. San Jose del Cabo, Mexico
San Jose del Cabo certainly hasn’t lost any of its shine, climbing from third to second on the international list of the top holiday destinations. Still, the beloved resort city can’t quite dethrone the perennial overseas favorite.
1. Cancun, Mexico
Cancun’s reign as Americans’ favorite international destination for the holidays so zero signs of ending anytime soon as the Mexican Caribbean hotspot remains the most popular overseas stop for holiday travelers in 2021.