afta travel trends

• About the ATTA
• Sustainability
• Our Initiatives
• Adventure Travel Conservation Fund
• Leadership & Team
• Internship Program
• Business Development
• Global Travel News
• Industry Spotlight
• Industry Voices
• Member News
• Regional News
• B2B Marketing
• Signature Events
• Market Activation
• Climate Action
• Storytelling
• B2C Marketing
• Event Calendar
• AdventureELEVATE North America 2024
• AdventureWeek Finland 2024
• AdventureFAM Green France 2024
• Climate Action Summit 2024
• AdventureWeek Okinawa 2024
• AdventureNEXT Costa Rica 2024
• AdventureNEXT Fiji 2024
• AdventureConnect
• ATTA on the Road / Virtual
• Expert Nomination & Topic Suggestions
• Events Sustainability
• Sustainability Resource Center
• On-Demand / Webinars
• Inspiration
• Guide Standard
• Global Payment Resource
• Free Community Membership
• Become a Member
• ATTA Ambassadors
• Active Members
• Adventure Champions
• Community Books
• Case Studies

Shopping Cart

Shopping cart items, adventure travel trends 2022.

Research is finding that although the effects of COVID-19 are still being felt going into 2022, governmental restrictions on travel are relaxing, with the WHO and UNWTO urging nations to lift blanket travel bans and mandatory vaccination requirements . Efforts like these and consumers’ strong desire to return to travel are leading to increases in both international and domestic travel. 

In the adventure travel sector, tour operators are feeling positive about the upcoming year , particularly those in North America, Europe, and LATAM. Adventure travelers are looking for more sustainable options and want to support the communities they are visiting; however, these communities are some of the most at-risk to the continuing negative effects of the pandemic. Efforts are being made to combat these social divides, for example bringing Indigenous groups into conversations and improving financial accessibility.

Read on to learn more about the top 10 trends affecting adventure travel in 2022, as identified by the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) :

Top 10 Trends:

International travel improves.

As expected, international travel is improving from its 2020 ​​US$ 4.5 trillion drop in GDP. Q4 2021 projections from WTTC show a rise in both international and domestic travel, with travel and tourism GDP expected to rise by 30.7% in 2021 and 31.7% in 2022. The WTTC expects that as more destinations ease restrictions and vaccination rates continue to rise, international spending will increase by 93.8% in 2022 to overtake domestic spending this year. However, domestic travel will continue to be an essential part of the industry’s recovery.

Domestic Travel Stays Strong

Approximately half of global travelers plan to travel for a domestic holiday in 2022 , with that number being higher in the U.S. and Europe. Domestic hotel bookings on Trip.com saw double-digit growth in 2020 compared to 2019, and increased over 200% when comparing 2019 to 2021. 

Particularly in the adventure segment of the travel industry, travelers are looking to engage with nature on a more frequent basis . To help travelers with limited time reconnect with the world around them, some adventure travel companies, like Much Better Adventures , are offering mini stays in remote locations. Getting away for even one night can have similar positive effects on mental and emotional health as more traditional getaways.

Travel's Environmental Impact Awareness

Sustainability is one of the most talked-about trends in travel , and an important priority of the ATTA (e.g., see the 2021 research report High Moments, Low Impact: Rethinking Adventure Travel’s Sustainability Efforts ). 

Although consumers are indicating that they want sustainable travel options, they often do not know what choices are available or where to find them . Google is jumping into sharing information about travel’s impact on the environment. In the past few months, they have introduced the ability to see the most fuel-efficient routes to their destination, detailing flight emissions estimates, and labeling hotel listings with applicable sustainability credentials and eco-certifications. This information transparency allows travelers to educate themselves and take action on their sustainability preferences.

Travel's Environmental Impact Action

Going a step beyond awareness , travelers are looking to brands to help them make more sustainable choices. As with Google’s initiatives mentioned above, companies are expected to be more transparent, and consumers are looking to reduce their choice fatigue by turning to experts to help them meet their travel and sustainability goals.

Organizations like European Best Destinations do the research and make recommendations to consumers, saving travelers the time and effort (for the curious, Ljubljana, Slovenia was ranked the European Best Green Capital for 2022). Wilderness Scotland and eCollective have developed one of the world’s first carbon labeling schemes for travel, to communicate the amount of carbon attributed to each traveler on an adventure trip. As another example, Natural Habitat Adventures ’ mission of Conservation through Exploration emphasizes “protecting our planet by inspiring travelers, supporting local communities and boldly influencing the entire travel industry.”

Eco-friendly modes of transportation are also getting more attention. Long known for its rail travel, European countries are taking the next step in encouraging or requiring more sustainable options. France is now requiring airlines to cancel domestic flights in situations where a comparable direct rail option takes two-and-a-half hours or less. In Germany, Lufthansa and rail operator Deustche Bahn are working together to expand their direct, fast train service in and out of Frankfurt. Switzerland’s Swiss Travel System has roughly 29,000 kilometers of extensive public transport network in Switzerland. In the U.S., United Airlines implemented last-mile bus service with Landline to Breckenridge and Fort Collins from its Denver hub last year. Sustainability is here to stay for the long term in many facets of tourism.

Sustainable Food and Drink

Adventure travel is more than just mountain climbing and white water rafting; this group also tends to enjoy the local gastronomy in a destination. Locally sourced and foraged food and drink is being used to highlight aspects of a destination. Visit Sweden’s “Taste of Swedish Summer” campaign focuses on 22 natural ingredients that can be found in Sweden, prepared using food preservation methods such as pickling and fermentation, and innovative recipes. Destinations like Eugene, Oregon feature “100 Mile Restaurants” that support local farmers, vendors and producers by primarily sourcing ingredients within 100 miles (161 km).

In addition to locally sourced food, consumers are becoming more conscious of the impact their food consumption has on the planet . Cuisine in many areas is turning toward plant-based menus that have a smaller eco-footprint than meat. Awareness is also increasing about the sustainability of crops like coffee, and its negative effects on deforestation, river pollution, and more. This increased awareness and desire for change creates the opportunity to educate adventure travelers about the people and processes involved in activities like growing coffee, and more sustainable options.

The Nomad Economy

The remote workplaces of the past two years have led to a transition in mentality toward the concept of digital nomadism , or taking long-term trips while working remotely and living like a local. Work has become borderless , with many companies embracing more flexible work environments and schedules for their employees. 

During the pandemic, many countries developed “digital nomad visas” as a way to attract travelers and encourage them to stay longer and spend more. Adventure travelers have high potential to become digital nomads, as they are looking for cultural immersion and local connection. Other possible groups of travelers fitting this lifestyle include employee cohorts that work and travel together (and will look for things to do in each area) and “workcation” packages that encourage families to extend their vacation by working during part of the trip to have more time at the destination. Also known as “bleisure” (business and leisure trips), these “workcations” or “flexcations” allow more travelers to experience new destinations and leave more money in the local economy.

For more information about digital nomads, check out ATTA’s 2021 report Work and Wander: Meet Today’s Digital Nomads .

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is Being Recognized

Although this topic has not received much attention in trends reports focused on the overall travel industry, many changes and improvements are being made in the adventure travel niche. 

Indigenous groups are being welcomed into conversations; the board of directors of the Hawaii Tourism Authority is majority-led by Native Hawaiians for the first time, and the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada is making progress with governmental and societal recognition. Tourism Australia has developed a Discover Aboriginal Experiences program, and many other destinations are following suit.

More recognition is also being given to underserved groups in adventure travel. Throughout the U.S., groups are emerging to rectify inequality in tourism and bring new voices to the table: Tourism Diversity Matters , Blacks in Travel and Tourism , and the Pathways Project are just a few examples.

Accessible tourism is also getting prioritized in adventure travel. According to the World Health Organization , 15 percent of the world’s population has an access need, and with the increased interest in nature-based, active, and cultural tourism comes travelers from a wider variety of backgrounds, ages, and abilities. Efforts are being made worldwide to support this community, such as the Society for Accessible Travel & Hospitality (SATH) .

This topic was discussed at AdventureELEVATE Europe 2021 , and will be the subject of some upcoming ATTA research in 2022. Although there is much more work to be done to ensure equal treatment and representation, conversations are happening, and that is the first step.

Ruralization and Communitization of Travel

Overtourism has been a constant discussion over the previous years, with popular landmarks and destinations like Machu Picchu and Barcelona publicly taking measures to reduce their visitor load. The COVID-19 pandemic has given overburdened destinations a chance to pause and reevaluate their future plans. Tourists are also interested in visiting lesser-known destinations, and supporting local communities through their travel, with half of consumers saying they are more likely to take an outdoor trip than before the pandemic. Adventure travelers want to not only engage with local people, but buy from them, use their transport services, restaurants, accommodation and guiding skills in a sustainable way.

However, this conscious move toward more rural destinations is creating a new kind of overcrowding, in areas that are not prepared or equipped to handle an influx of tourists. Beyond not having the infrastructure needed to accommodate large numbers of visitors, concerns like vaccine equity to protect the local population also exist. In the U.S., national and state parks have risen in popularity to the point of government intervention . 

Actions need to be taken now to protect rural and less developed destinations from the negative effects a large number of tourists could bring to their natural areas, culture, and heritage. 

Initiatives like the UNTWO’s Best Tourism Villages are highlighting towns around the world where tourism can help preserve cultures and traditions, celebrate diversity, provide opportunities, and safeguard biodiversity. Marketers and operators must work toward a sustainable and inclusive tourism model, as mentioned above. Technology can also help relieve burdens through online reservation systems and timed entry tickets. 

Most importantly, tourism must have a social license to operate , where the local people must be consulted at every step to be sure their interests are being met.

Social Divides Deepen

As tourism moves deeper into local communities, social and economic divides are becoming front and center. According to the World Bank , since the beginning of the pandemic an additional 97 million people have plunged into poverty worldwide, raising the global poverty rate to 9.1 percent from 7.8 percent. The most affected regions include sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean, which are popular destinations for travelers looking to explore unique and less developed areas. 

Host communities with informal workers, women’s collectives, and operators without strong technological access or education have been among the worst hurt by the pandemic . These groups will have a harder time recovering as they have less access to resources such as technology, vaccines, and supporting funding. It is essential for the adventure travel community to recognize and respect these concerns, and work purposely to make changes.

The Financialization of Travel

The very nature of travel makes it a global issue, leading to financial challenges like differing currencies and exchange rates, varying regulations and requirements, and access to bank accounts and credit. Technology is acknowledged as a tremendous challenge for adventure travel companies , as consumers expect to be able to communicate and connect with service providers, and to co-create products to their custom specifications. 

Travelers are being inundated with myriad financial products as part of their trip purchase decisions: payments, banking, insurance, buy now/pay later, trip protection, and more. This is overwhelming and can lead to potential clients giving up on a booking and either choosing a simpler solution or none at all.

However, when done in a thoughtful and conscientious manner, technology can be used to support both buyers and sellers. Properly implemented software can automate processes and assist staff by making their jobs easier, and solutions like Flywire are available to help streamline the payment process. Digital financial products can also help open new markets like Southeast Asia and Latin America, where in many countries people don’t have access to bank accounts or credit.

Trends to Watch

While these are 10 of the most important trends affecting adventure travel, there are many other things to watch. Wellness is one overarching trend that will impact this niche, with adventure companies benefiting from travelers looking to have a transformational experience . Another trip type increasing in popularity are self-guided tours . There are also discussions happening on booking window fluctuations and other possibilities as the industry continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Watch for upcoming research from the ATTA on the status of these trends in the adventure travel industry.

Now boarding: Faces, places, and trends shaping tourism in 2024

After falling by 75 percent in 2020, travel is on its way to a full recovery by the end of 2024. Domestic travel is expected to grow 3 percent annually and reach 19 billion lodging nights per year by 2030. 1 Unless otherwise noted, the source for all data and projections is Oxford Economics. Over the same time frame, international travel should likewise ramp up to its historical average of nine billion nights. Spending on travel is expected to follow a similar trajectory, with an estimated $8.6 trillion in traveler outlays in 2024, representing roughly 9 percent of this year’s global GDP.

About the authors

This article is a collaborative effort by Caroline Tufft , Margaux Constantin , Matteo Pacca , and Ryan Mann , with Ivan Gladstone and Jasperina de Vries, representing views from McKinsey’s Travel, Logistics & Infrastructure Practice.

There’s no doubt people still love to travel and will continue to seek new experiences in new places. But where will travelers come from, and where will they go? We developed a snapshot of current traveler flows, along with estimates for growth through 2030. For the purposes of this report, we have divided the world into four regions—the Americas, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East and Africa.

Our analysis identifies three major themes for industry stakeholders to consider:

• The bulk of travel spending is close to home. Stakeholders should ensure they capture the full potential of domestic travel before shifting their focus to international travelers. And they should start with international travelers who visit nearby countries—as intraregional trips represent the largest travel segment after domestic trips.
• Source markets are shifting. Although established source markets continue to anchor global travel, Eastern Europe, India, and Southeast Asia are all becoming fast-growing sources of outbound tourism.
• The destinations of the future may not be the ones you imagine. Alongside enduring favorites, places that weren’t on many tourists’ maps are finding clever ways to lure international travelers and establish themselves as desirable destinations.

The bulk of travel spending is close to home

International travel might feel more glamorous, but tourism players should not forget that domestic travel still represents the bulk of the market, accounting for 75 percent of global travel spending (Exhibit 1). Domestic travel recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic faster than international travel, as is typical coming out of downturns. And although there has been a recent boom in “revenge travel,” with travelers prioritizing international trips that were delayed by the pandemic, a return to prepandemic norms, in which domestic travel represents 70 percent of spending, is expected by 2030.

The United States is the world’s largest domestic travel market at $1 trillion in annual spending. Sixty-eight percent of all trips that start in the United States remain within its borders. Domestic demand has softened slightly, as American travelers return abroad. 2 Dawit Habtemariam, “Domestic U.S. tourism growth levels off as Americans head overseas,” Skift, August 18, 2023. But tourism players with the right offerings are still thriving: five national parks broke attendance records in 2023 (including Joshua Tree National Park, which capitalized on growing interest from stargazers indulging in “dark sky” tourism 3 Scott McConkey, “5 national parks set attendance records in 2023, and the reasons may surprise you,” Wealth of Geeks, April 16, 2024. ).

China’s $744 billion domestic travel market is currently the world’s second largest. Chinese travelers spent the pandemic learning to appreciate the diversity of experiences on offer within their own country. Even as borders open back up, Chinese travelers are staying close to home. And domestic destinations are benefiting: for example, Changchun (home to the Changchun Ice and Snow Festival) realized 160 percent year-on-year growth in visitors in 2023. 4 Shi Xiaoji, “Why don’t Chinese people like to travel abroad anymore? The global tourism industry has lost 900 billion yuan. What is the situation?,” NetEase, February 12, 2024. In 2024, domestic travel during Lunar New Year exceeded prepandemic levels by 19 percent.

China’s domestic travel market is expected to grow 12 percent annually and overtake the United States’ to become the world’s largest by 2030. Hotel construction reflects this expectation: 30 percent of the global hotel construction pipeline is currently concentrated in China. The pipeline is heavily skewed toward luxury properties, with more than twice as many luxury hotels under construction in China as in the United States.

India, currently the world’s sixth-largest domestic travel market by spending, is another thriving area for domestic travel. With the subcontinent’s growing middle class powering travel spending growth of roughly 9 percent per year, India’s domestic market could overtake Japan’s and Mexico’s to become the world’s fourth largest by 2030. Domestic air passenger traffic in India is projected to double by 2030, 5 Murali Krishnan, “Can India’s airports cope with rapid passenger growth?,” Deutsche Welle, February 7, 2024. boosted in part by a state-subsidized initiative that aims to connect underserved domestic airports. 6 “India is seeing a massive aviation boom,” Economist , November 23, 2023.

When travelers do go abroad, they often stay close to home (Exhibit 2).

Europe and Asia, in particular, demonstrate strong and growing intraregional travel markets.

Recognizing this general trend, stakeholders have been funneling investment toward regional tourism destinations. An Emirati wealth fund, for instance, has announced its intent to invest roughly $35 billion into established hospitality properties and development opportunities in Egypt. 7 Michael Gunn and Mirette Magdy, “UAE’s $35 billion Egypt deal marks Gulf powers’ buying spree,” Bloomberg, April 27, 2024.

Europe has long played host to a high share of intraregional travel. Seventy percent of its travelers’ international trips stay within the region. Europe’s most popular destinations for intraregional travelers are perennial warm-weather favorites—Spain (18 percent), Italy (10 percent), and France (8 percent)—with limited change to these preferences expected between now and 2030.

Despite longer travel distances between Asian countries, Asia’s intraregional travel market is beginning to resemble Europe’s. Intraregional travel currently accounts for about 60 percent of international trips in Asia—a share expected to climb to 64 percent by 2030. As in Europe in past decades, Asian intraregional travel is benefiting from diminishing visa barriers and the development of a low-cost, regional flight network.

Thailand is projected to enjoy continued, growing popularity with Asian travelers. Thailand waived visa requirements for Chinese tourists in 2023 and plans to do the same for Indian tourists starting in 2024. It has aggressively targeted the fast-growing Indian traveler segment, launching more than 50 marketing campaigns directed at Indians over the past decade. The investment may be paying off: Bangkok recently overtook Dubai as the most popular city destination for Indian tourists. 8 “Bangkok overtakes Dubai as top destination for Indians post visa relaxation, reveals Agoda,” PR Newswire, January 18, 2024.

A McKinsey ConsumerWise survey on consumer sentiment, conducted in February 2024, suggests that Chinese travelers are also exhibiting high interest in international travel, with 36 percent of survey respondents indicating that they intend to spend more on international travel in the next three months. 9 Daniel Zipser, “ China brief: Consumers are spending again (outside of China) ,” McKinsey, April 8, 2024. Much of this interest is directed toward regional destinations such as Southeast Asia and Japan, with interest in travel to Europe down from previous years. 10 Guang Chen, Zi Chen, Steve Saxon, and Jackey Yu, “ Outlook for China tourism 2023: Light at the end of the tunnel ,” McKinsey, May 9, 2023.

Given travelers’ preference for proximity, how can tourism stakeholders further capitalize on domestic and intraregional travel demand? Here are a few strategies:

• Craft offerings that encourage domestic tourists to rediscover local gems. Destinations, hotels, and transportation providers can encourage domestic tourists to integrate lesser-known cultural landmarks into their trips to visit friends and relatives. In France, the upscale hotel chain Relais & Châteaux markets historic properties that lie far from classic tourist sights—such as Château Saint-Jean in rural Auvergne—as a welcome escape from the bustle of Paris. In Mexico, the Pueblos Mágicos program has successfully boosted domestic tourist visits to a set of “magical towns” that showcase Mexican heritage.
• Fold one-off domestic destinations into fuller itineraries. Route 66 in the United States is a classic road trip pathway, which spurs visits to attractions all along the highway’s length. Tourism stakeholders can collaborate to create similar types of domestic itineraries around the world. For instance, Mexico has expanded on its Pueblos Mágicos concept by branding coordinated visits to multiple villages as “magical routes.” In France, local tourism boards and vineyards have collaborated to promote bucket list “wine routes” around the country.
• Make crossing borders into neighboring countries seamless. Removing logistical barriers to travel can nudge tourists to upgrade a one-off trip to a single attraction into a bucket list journey across multiple, less-trodden destinations. In Africa, for example, Ethiopian Airlines is facilitating cross-border travel to major regional tourist sites through improved air connectivity. In Asia, Thailand has announced its intent to create a joint visa easing travel among Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Source markets are shifting

The United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, China, and France remain the world’s five largest sources of travelers, in that order. These countries collectively accounted for 38 percent of international travel spending in 2023 and are expected to remain the top five source markets through 2030. But interest in travel is blossoming in other parts of the world—causing a shift in the balance of outbound travel flows (Exhibit 3).

North Americans’ travel spending is projected to hold steady at roughly 3 percent annual growth. US consumers voice growing concerns about inflation, and the most cost-constrained traveler segments are reducing travel, which is affecting ultra-low-cost airlines and budget hotels. Most travelers, however, plan to continue traveling: McKinsey research suggests that American consumers rank international and domestic travel as their highest-priority areas for discretionary spending. Instead of canceling their trips, these consumers are adapting their behavior by traveling during off-peak periods or booking travel further in advance. Travel spending by Europeans paints a slightly rosier picture, with roughly 5 percent projected annual growth. Meanwhile, the projected 12 percent annual growth in Chinese travelers’ spending should anchor substantial increases in travel spending across Northeast Asia.

Alongside these enduring traveler segments, new groups of travelers are emerging. Eastern Europe, India, and Southeast Asia are still comparatively small source markets, but they are developing fast-growing pools of first-time tourists (Exhibit 4).

India’s breakneck GDP growth of 6 percent year over year is bolstering a new generation of travelers, 11 Benjamin Laker, “India will grow to become the world’s third-largest economy by 2027,” Forbes , February 23, 2024. resulting in a projected annual growth in travel spending of 9 percent between now and 2030. Indian air carriers and lodging companies are making substantial investments to meet projected demand. Budget airline IndiGo placed the largest aircraft order in commercial aviation history in 2023, when it pledged to buy 500 Airbus A320 planes 12 Anna Cooban, “Biggest plane deal in history: Airbus clinches massive order from India’s IndiGo,” CNN, June 19, 2023. ; that same week, Air India nearly equaled IndiGo’s order size with purchase agreements for 250 Airbus and 220 Boeing jets. IndiGo later added an order for 30 additional Airbus A350 planes, well suited to serving both domestic and international routes. 13 “Airbus confirms IndiGo's A350 aircraft order,” Economic Times , May 6, 2024. The Indian Hotels Company Limited is ramping up its hotel pipeline, aiming to open two new hotels per month in the near future. International players are not sitting on the sidelines: seven hotel chains are launching new brands in India in 2024, 14 Peden Doma Bhutia, “Indian Hotels expansion plans: 2 new brands launching, 2 hotels opening every month,” Skift, February 2, 2024. including Marriott’s first Moxy- and Tribute-branded hotels in India and entrants from Hilton’s Curio and Tapestry brands. 15 Forum Gandhi, “Check-in frenzy: International hotel giants unleash fresh brands in India’s booming hospitality landscape,” Hindu Businessline , February 13, 2024. Development focus has shifted away from major metropolises such as Mumbai and Delhi and toward fast-developing, smaller cities such as Chandigarh and Hyderabad.

Southeast Asian travel spending is projected to grow at roughly 7 percent per year. Pockets of particularly high growth exist in Cambodia, Malaysia, and the Philippines. To capitalize on this blossoming source market, neighboring countries are rolling out attractive visa arrangements: for example, China has agreed to reciprocal visa waivers for short-term travelers from Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand. 16 Julienna Law, “China launches ‘visa-free era’ with Southeast Asia. Will travel retail boom?,” Jing Daily , January 30, 2024.

Travel spending by Eastern Europeans is expected to grow at 7 percent per year until 2030—two percentage points higher than spending by Western Europeans. Areas of especially high growth include the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland, where middle-class travelers are increasingly venturing farther afield. Major tourism players, including the TUI Group, have tapped into these new source markets by offering charter flights to warm-weather destinations such as Egypt. 17 Hildbrandt von Klaus, “TUI develops Czech Republic as a new source market,” FVW, December 22, 2023.

Although the number of travelers from these new source markets is growing, their purchasing power remains relatively limited. Compared with Western European travelers (who average $159 per night in total travel spending), South Asians spend 20 percent less, Eastern Europeans spend 40 percent less, and Southeast Asians spend 55 percent less. Only 3 percent of the current Asian hotel construction pipeline caters to economy travelers, suggesting a potential supply gap of rooms that could appeal to budget-constrained tourists.

While acknowledging that historical source markets will continue to constitute the bulk of travel spending, tourism players can consider actions such as these to capitalize on growing travel demand from newer markets:

• Reduce obstacles to travel. Countries can look for ways to strategically invest in simplifying travel for visitors from growing source markets. In 2017, for example, Azerbaijan introduced express processing of electronic visas for Indian visitors; annual arrivals from India increased fivefold in two years. Requirements regarding passport photocopies or in-person check-ins can similarly be assessed with an eye toward reducing red tape for travelers.
• Use culturally relevant marketing channels to reach new demographics. Unique, thoughtful marketing strategies can help destinations place themselves on first-time travelers’ bucket lists. For example, after the release of Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara , a popular Bollywood movie shot in Spain with support from the Spanish Ministry of Tourism, Indian tourism to Spain increased by 65 percent. 18 “ Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara part of syllabus in Spain colleges,” India Today , June 6, 2004.
• Give new travelers the tech they expect. Travelers from newer source markets often have access to tech-forward travel offerings. For example, Indian travelers can travel anywhere within their country without physical identification, thanks to the Digi Yatra app. The Southeast Asian rideshare app Grab has several helpful travel features that competitors lack, such as automated menu translation and currency conversion. Tourism stakeholders should consider how to adapt to the tech expectations of newer travelers, integrating relevant offerings that ease journeys.
• Create vibrant experiences tailored to different price points. Crafting lower-budget offerings for more cost-constrained travelers doesn’t need to result in giving them a subpar experience. Capsule hotels, in which guests sleep in small cubbies, began as a response to the high cost of accommodations in Japan, but they have become an attraction in their own right—appearing on many must-do lists. 19 Philip Tang, “24 of the best experiences in Japan,” Lonely Planet, March 23, 2024.

The places you’ll go: The destinations of the future may not be the ones you imagine

The world’s top ten destination countries (the United States, Spain, China, France, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, Italy, Thailand, Japan, and India, in that order) currently receive 45 percent of all travel spending, including for domestic travel. But some new locales are gaining traction (Exhibit 5).

A significant number of travelers are expanding their horizons, booking journeys to less visited countries that are near to old standbys. For instance, Laos and Malaysia, which both border Thailand—an established destination that is home to Bangkok, the world’s most visited city 20 Katherine LaGrave, “This is the world’s most visited city,” AFAR , January 31, 2024. —are up a respective 20 percent and 17 percent, respectively, in year-over-year international travel spending.

The world’s top ten destination countries currently receive 45 percent of all travel spending, including domestic-travel spending. But some new locales are gaining traction.

Several other countries that have crafted thoughtful tourism demand generation strategies—such as Peru, the Philippines, Rwanda, and Vietnam—are also expected to reap benefits in the coming years. Vietnam logged a remarkable 40 percent increase in tourism spending in the five years before the pandemic. Postpandemic, it has rebounded in part by waiving visa requirements for European travelers (while indicating intent to offer similar exemptions in the future for Chinese and Indian travelers). 21 Ashvita Singh, “Vietnam looks to offer visa-free entry to Indians: India report,” Skift, November 20, 2023. The Philippines has made a concerted effort to shift its sun-and-beach branding toward a more well-rounded image, replacing its long-standing “It’s more fun in the Philippines” tourism slogan with “Love the Philippines.” Peru is highlighting less visited archeological sites while also marketing itself as a top-notch culinary destination through the promotion of Peruvian restaurants abroad. Rwanda is investing in infrastructure to become a major African transit hub, facilitated by Qatar Airways’ purchase of a 60 percent stake in the country’s major airport. 22 Dylan Cresswell, “Rwanda plots ambitious tourism recovery,” African Business , July 28, 2022. Rwanda has also successfully capitalized on sustainable tourism: by charging $1,500 per gorilla trekking permit, for instance, it has maximized revenue while reducing environmental impact.

Tourism players might consider taking some of these actions to lure tourists to less familiar destinations:

• Collaborate across the tourism ecosystem. Promotion is not solely the domain of destination marketing organizations. Accommodation, transportation, and experience providers can also play important roles. In Singapore, for instance, the luxury resort Marina Bay Sands partners extensively with Singapore Airlines and the Singapore Tourism Board to offer compelling tourism offerings. Past collaborations have included flight and stay packages built around culinary festivals and a Lunar New Year drone show. 23 “Singapore Tourism Board, Marina Bay Sands & UOB partner to enliven Marina Bay precinct,” Singapore Tourism Board news release, January 25, 2024.
• Use infrastructure linkage to promote new destinations. By extending route options, transportation providers can encourage visitors to create itineraries that combine familiar destinations with new attractions. In Asia, Thailand’s tourism authority has attempted to nudge visitors away from the most heavily trafficked parts of the country, such as Bangkok and Phuket, and toward less popular destinations.
• Deploy social media to reach different demographics. Innovative social media campaigns can help put a destination on the map. Australia launched its “Ruby the kangaroo” campaign in China to coincide with the return of postpandemic air capacity between the two places. A video adapted for Chinese context (with appropriate gestures and a hashtag in Mandarin) garnered more than 20 million views in a single day on one of China’s largest social media platforms. 24 Nicole Gong, “Can Ruby the kangaroo bring Chinese tourists hopping back to Australia?,” SBS, June 5, 2023.
• Embrace unknown status. “Off the beaten path” messaging can appeal to widely traveled tourists seeking fresh experiences. Saudi Arabia’s “#WhereInTheWorld” campaign promoted the country’s tourist spots by acknowledging that they are less familiar to travelers, using a series of images that compared these spots with better-known destinations.

As tourism stakeholders look to the future, they can take steps to ensure that they continue to delight existing travelers while also embracing new ones. Domestic and intraregional tourism remain major opportunities—catering to local tourists’ preferences while building infrastructure that makes travel more seamless within a region could help capture them. Creative collaboration among tourism stakeholders can help put lesser-known destinations on the map. Travel tides are shifting. Expertly navigating these currents could yield rich rewards.

Caroline Tufft is a senior partner in McKinsey’s London office, Margaux Constantin is a partner in the Dubai office, Matteo Pacca is a senior partner in the Paris office, Ryan Mann is a partner in the Chicago office, Ivan Gladstone is an associate partner in the Riyadh office, and Jasperina de Vries is an associate partner in the Amsterdam office.

The authors wish to thank Abdulhadi Alghamdi, Alessandra Powell, Alex Dichter, Cedric Tsai, Diane Vu, Elisa Wallwitz, Lily Miller, Maggie Coffey, Nadya Snezhkova, Nick Meronyk, Paulina Baum, Peimin Suo, Rebecca Stone, Sarah Fellay, Sarah Sahel, Steffen Fuchs, Steffen Köpke, Steve Saxon, Sophia Wang, and Urs Binggeli for their contributions to this article.

This article was edited by Seth Stevenson, a senior editor in the New York office.

Explore a career with us

Related articles.

The future of tourism: Bridging the labor gap, enhancing customer experience

The promise of travel in the age of AI

From India to the world: Unleashing the potential of India’s tourists

** ATIA COMMUNITY **

Report comparing present travel trends to those pre-covid - data available to atia members now, 1.  report comparing present travel trends to those pre-covid - data available to atia members now.

The February 2024 version of ATIA Travel Trends Report is now available to members on request.

Please let me know if you would like a copy sent through to you - send me an email on [email protected]

The report covers overseas arrival and departure numbers and comparisons to pre-covid levels, domestic travel data and the reasons people are travelling.

New Best Answer

Related content, travel trends report available now, march 2024 atia travel trends release - now available to members, covid-19 business interruption class action case, happy new year & january's edition of atia travel trends, professional fee flyer now available.

• Auto Insurance Best Car Insurance Cheapest Car Insurance Compare Car Insurance Quotes Best Car Insurance For Young Drivers Best Auto & Home Bundles Cheapest Cars To Insure
• Home Insurance Best Home Insurance Best Renters Insurance Cheapest Homeowners Insurance Types Of Homeowners Insurance
• Life Insurance Best Life Insurance Best Term Life Insurance Best Senior Life Insurance Best Whole Life Insurance Best No Exam Life Insurance
• Pet Insurance Best Pet Insurance Cheap Pet Insurance Pet Insurance Costs Compare Pet Insurance Quotes
• Travel Insurance Best Travel Insurance Cancel For Any Reason Travel Insurance Best Cruise Travel Insurance Best Senior Travel Insurance
• Health Insurance Best Health Insurance Plans Best Affordable Health Insurance Best Dental Insurance Best Vision Insurance Best Disability Insurance
• Credit Cards Best Credit Cards 2024 Best Balance Transfer Credit Cards Best Rewards Credit Cards Best Cash Back Credit Cards Best Travel Rewards Credit Cards Best 0% APR Credit Cards Best Business Credit Cards Best Credit Cards for Startups Best Credit Cards For Bad Credit Best Cards for Students without Credit
• Credit Card Reviews Chase Sapphire Preferred Wells Fargo Active Cash® Chase Sapphire Reserve Citi Double Cash Citi Diamond Preferred Chase Ink Business Unlimited American Express Blue Business Plus
• Credit Card by Issuer Best Chase Credit Cards Best American Express Credit Cards Best Bank of America Credit Cards Best Visa Credit Cards
• Credit Score Best Credit Monitoring Services Best Identity Theft Protection
• CDs Best CD Rates Best No Penalty CDs Best Jumbo CD Rates Best 3 Month CD Rates Best 6 Month CD Rates Best 9 Month CD Rates Best 1 Year CD Rates Best 2 Year CD Rates Best 5 Year CD Rates
• Checking Best High-Yield Checking Accounts Best Checking Accounts Best No Fee Checking Accounts Best Teen Checking Accounts Best Student Checking Accounts Best Joint Checking Accounts Best Business Checking Accounts Best Free Checking Accounts
• Savings Best High-Yield Savings Accounts Best Free No-Fee Savings Accounts Simple Savings Calculator Monthly Budget Calculator: 50/30/20
• Mortgages Best Mortgage Lenders Best Online Mortgage Lenders Current Mortgage Rates Best HELOC Rates Best Mortgage Refinance Lenders Best Home Equity Loan Lenders Best VA Mortgage Lenders Mortgage Refinance Rates Mortgage Interest Rate Forecast
• Personal Loans Best Personal Loans Best Debt Consolidation Loans Best Emergency Loans Best Home Improvement Loans Best Bad Credit Loans Best Installment Loans For Bad Credit Best Personal Loans For Fair Credit Best Low Interest Personal Loans
• Student Loans Best Student Loans Best Student Loan Refinance Best Student Loans for Bad or No Credit Best Low-Interest Student Loans
• Business Loans Best Business Loans Best Business Lines of Credit Apply For A Business Loan Business Loan vs. Business Line Of Credit What Is An SBA Loan?
• Investing Best Online Brokers Top 10 Cryptocurrencies Best Low-Risk Investments Best Cheap Stocks To Buy Now Best S&P 500 Index Funds Best Stocks For Beginners How To Make Money From Investing In Stocks
• Retirement Best Roth IRAs Best Gold IRAs Best Investments for a Roth IRA Best Bitcoin IRAs Protecting Your 401(k) In a Recession Types of IRAs Roth vs Traditional IRA How To Open A Roth IRA
• Business Formation Best LLC Services Best Registered Agent Services How To Start An LLC How To Start A Business
• Web Design & Hosting Best Website Builders Best E-commerce Platforms Best Domain Registrar
• HR & Payroll Best Payroll Software Best HR Software Best HRIS Systems Best Recruiting Software Best Applicant Tracking Systems
• Payment Processing Best Credit Card Processing Companies Best POS Systems Best Merchant Services Best Credit Card Readers How To Accept Credit Cards
• More Business Solutions Best VPNs Best VoIP Services Best Project Management Software Best CRM Software Best Accounting Software
• Debt relief Best debt management Best debt settlement Do you need a debt management plan? What is debt settlement? Debt consolidation vs. debt settlement Should you settle your debt or pay in full? How to negotiate a debt settlement on your own
• Debt collection Can a debt collector garnish my bank account or my wages? Can credit card companies garnish your wages? What is the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act?
• Bankruptcy How much does it cost to file for bankruptcy? What is Chapter 7 bankruptcy? What is Chapter 13 bankruptcy? Can medical bankruptcy help with medical bills?
• More payoff strategies Tips to get rid of your debt in a year Don't make these mistakes when climbing out of debt How credit counseling can help you get out of debt What is the debt avalanche method? What is the debt snowball method?
• Manage Topics
• Investigations
• Visual Explainers
• Newsletters
• Abortion news
• Coronavirus
• Climate Change
• Vertical Storytelling
• Corrections Policy
• College Football
• High School Sports
• H.S. Sports Awards
• Sports Betting
• College Basketball (M)
• College Basketball (W)
• For The Win
• Sports Pulse
• Weekly Pulse
• Buy Tickets
• Sports Seriously
• Sports+ States
• Celebrities
• Entertainment This!
• Celebrity Deaths
• American Influencer Awards
• Women of the Century
• Problem Solved
• Personal Finance
• Small Business
• Consumer Recalls
• Video Games
• Product Reviews
• Destinations
• Airline News
• Experience America
• Today's Debate
• Suzette Hackney
• Policing the USA
• Meet the Editorial Board
• How to Submit Content
• Hidden Common Ground
• Race in America

Personal Loans

Best personal loans

Auto Insurance

Best car insurance

Best high-yield savings

CREDIT CARDS

Best credit cards

Advertiser Disclosure

Blueprint is an independent, advertising-supported comparison service focused on helping readers make smarter decisions. We receive compensation from the companies that advertise on Blueprint which may impact how and where products appear on this site. The compensation we receive from advertisers does not influence the recommendations or advice our editorial team provides in our articles or otherwise impact any of the editorial content on Blueprint. Blueprint does not include all companies, products or offers that may be available to you within the market. A list of selected affiliate partners is available here .

Credit cards

Americans’ travel habits and behavior in 2024

Dawn Papandrea

Grace Pilling

“Verified by an expert” means that this article has been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for accuracy.

Robin Saks Frankel

Updated 4:27 p.m. UTC May 29, 2024

• path]:fill-[#49619B]" alt="Facebook" width="18" height="18" viewBox="0 0 18 18" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
• path]:fill-[#202020]" alt="Email" width="19" height="14" viewBox="0 0 19 14" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">

Editorial Note: Blueprint may earn a commission from affiliate partner links featured here on our site. This commission does not influence our editors' opinions or evaluations. Please view our full advertiser disclosure policy .

AzmanL, Getty Images

Another summer is almost here, and millions of Americans are getting excited for peak vacation season. In fact, they’ve been thinking about their 2024 trips and getaways since the beginning of the year when we teamed up with Talker Research to survey 1,000 Americans about their travel plans.

Not only did we uncover the most popular travel destinations (beaches rule, no surprise there), we also gained insights into the way Americans are planning their getaways, the type of accommodations they’re most interested in and how they’re going to get there. We also learned about Americans’ biggest travel fears and have some tips to avoid the most dreaded vacation disasters.

Read on to learn more about this year’s travel trends, along with tips on how to plan and pay for your next vacation.

Key findings

• Americans take 2.5 vacations per year.
• The average vacation in America costs $1,742.90.
• 30% of Americans plan to travel internationally in 2024.
• Beaches top the list of desired trips, with 62% of Americans saying they target beaches when planning vacations.
• To help defray the expense, 53% of Americans have used or plan to use their rewards from credit card rewards or travel loyalty programs to reduce their out-of-pocket costs for airfare and hotel expenses.

Expensive vacations don’t deter American travelers

There’s no such thing as a cheap vacation for most Americans. The average traveler spends $1,742.90 per vacation. Still, nearly half of respondents said they spend less than $1,500 on their trips, while 1 in 10 said they spend more than $3,500.

Vacation costs aren’t deterring most people from hitting the road, though. In fact, Americans travel an average of 2.9 times per year and most often they travel for leisure. Millennials are the group packing their bags most often, with an average of 3.4 getaways per year. 

The sweet spot for more than half of Americans is one to two times per year, while almost a third get away three to four times. One in 10 Americans leave town up to six times a year.

Almost two-thirds of Americans want to hit the beach

Most Americans love to spend their vacation time doing outdoorsy and cultural things, but nothing beats sun and sand. The most popular destination by far was the beach, with almost two-thirds (62%) of survey respondents naming it a preferred destination. Luckily, there is no lack of options when it comes to catching some waves and rays, with over 6,100 beaches along U.S. coasts.

Cities and cultural or historical locations were tied for second place, with 44% of respondents listing one of these among their preferred destinations. Visiting one of America’s 63 officially recognized national parks was just the ticket for 42% of respondents, while 40% said they wanted to see mountains. 

Over a third (39%) of survey respondents have their sights set on famous landmarks, such as Mount Rushmore, the Statue of Liberty or the National Mall in D.C. Ultimate relaxation is on the horizon for the 30% of people looking to go on cruises this year and 29% who want the effortless luxury of an all-inclusive resort. 

With so many destinations across the country high on people’s agenda this year, it’s surprising that three in 10 travelers also plan to leave the U.S. and travel internationally in 2024. 

Travelers prefer hotels over private rentals

As for where Americans like to rest after their daily vacation adventures, home is where the room service is. Hotels, condos and resorts are a favorite among 78% of travelers who would choose them as a preferred lodging. Not only is there no bed-making or towel-washing required, but the average daily rate of staying in a hotel is still reasonable at $151.13, according to the most recent data from STR , a real estate data research and analytics company.

For travelers who like to vacation like a local or for larger groups that would find booking multiple hotel rooms uneconomical, renting a private property can be a better choice. There is no shortage of rental home options in the U.S. for the 44% of respondents who cited renting a homeshare or house as a regular choice. There were over 2.4 million vacation rental listings in 2023 with an overall daily rate of $308 according to data from AirDNA .

Of course, rather than paying for a place to rest your head, staying with family and friends is another option while traveling and a great way to save a few bucks. Forty-one percent of travelers listed this as one of their preferred accommodations. 

Camping and staying in hostels were less popular choices: 22% of survey respondents are prepared to pitch a tent on vacation, while just 11% of respondents would opt for a hostel. Few Americans are interested in leaving their house to take care of someone else’s, with house sitting only a preferred accommodation for 5% of people surveyed.

Americans’ biggest travel fear is the weather

Vacation planning is not without worry. With so much time and money invested to make every trip magical and Instagram-worthy, it’s only natural to have a few travel fears. Americans’ biggest travel fear is the weather, with 58% of respondents worried about inclement weather interrupting or ruining travel plans. Given that so many vacation activities are related to being outside, it’s a legit concern.

The second biggest concern is getting sick (44%) followed by fear of disappointment in the destination itself (30%). Many travelers are also worried about safety, including crime rates in the destination (28%), getting scammed (26%) and getting robbed (25%). 

The remaining fears are things that can be mitigated by taking advantage of travel protections offered by some travel credit cards and travel insurance . These include losing luggage (28%) — some credit cards will reimburse you for lost luggage or even baggage delays. Another is being late or missing travel accommodations (26%) — trip interruption insurance is another coverage that some credit cards offer.

Planes, trains or automobiles?

Most Americans like to go wheels up for their trips, with 47% choosing travel by plane as their preferred transportation method. According to the Bureau of Transportation, the average fare for a domestic flight in the U.S. (as of Q4 2023) was $384.85. This means that airfare alone can take up a good portion of a vacation budget.

As such, it’s no surprise that road trips — or travel by car — were nearly as popular, chosen by 44% of respondents. Even with average gas prices at $3.60 per gallon (as of May 2024), piling into the family car can be a cost effective way to get to your destination. 

Train travel was a distant third, with just 3% of people reporting they prefer to travel by rail.

Vacation planning habits revealed

One-third of Americans take nearly three weeks (2.9) to plan their trips, with about one-fifth booking almost five weeks (4.9) in advance. As part of their research in deciding where to go and what to do, 43% of people lean heavily on recommendations from friends and family.

A significant number of trip planners (32%) rely on online reviews, while fewer than 1 in 5 (19%) use a travel agent. Social media is also a source of travel inspiration with respondents turning to YouTube (17%), Instagram (9%), Facebook groups (8%) and TikTok (6%). Reading travel advice from travel blogs (15%), articles (13%) and magazines (10%) is also a significant part of the planning process.

As for what people consider the most important factors when planning a trip, 55% of people selected local food and drinks, while 54% value the best financial deal. Outdoor activities (46%) and cultural experiences (39%) were also high-ranking choices, while 35% of respondents build their trips around bucket list locations.

Solo travel vs. group travel

The majority of Americans prefer to travel for leisure with their significant other (41%) or immediate family (28%). But traveling solo is a preference for 15% of respondents.

Group travel is less popular, with just 10% of Americans saying they prefer travel with a small group. 

People who travel solo generally spend less time planning than those with travel companions (2.6 weeks vs. 2.9 weeks). They also book their trip an average of 4 weeks before compared to 5.1 weeks for couple/family travelers.

Preferred travel accommodations vary between solo and group travelers as well, with single people more likely to stay with family or friends:

Who Americans travel with affects more than just where they stay — it also influences how they get there. Single travelers are less inclined to drive by themselves, whereas going by car is often a money-saving option for groups.

Not surprisingly, solo travelers spend less per trip, though not that much less: $1,433.30 on average vs. $1,843.90 spent by couples and families.

How Americans use their travel rewards credit cards while traveling

Considering that 54% of travelers said finding the best financial deal has the biggest impact on their travel plans, using travel rewards credit cards strategically can play a big role. Leveraging the best travel credit cards can enhance the way you travel, provide insurance and protection, and help you save on the total cost of your trip. In fact, 53% of people said they have used or plan to use a credit card or travel rewards to reduce the cost of their trips.

Bolstering these findings, the Barclays 2024 Travel Rewards and Loyalty Report, which features data from a survey of 1,000 U.S. adult travelers by Wakefield Research, found that rewards programs will make all the difference when it comes to planning personal travel. The report found that personal travel is top of mind for many consumers this year and rewards programs will make all the difference.

“For the second year in a row, we found that U.S. travelers continue to highly value rewards points and loyalty programs,” said Doug Villone, head of cards and partnerships at Barclays US Consumer Bank. “Without rewards, 77% of travelers indicated they would have to make some sacrifices in how they travel. Many said they would need to give up comfort, as a third (33%) would have to downgrade their accommodations, and 28% would have to drive or take less convenient travel options.”

However, just 32% of Americans actually have a travel credit card as of the USA TODAY Blueprint-Talker Research survey date. Interestingly, men are significantly more likely to have a travel rewards card (39%) than women (25%). Men are also more likely to redeem travel rewards to defray the cost of travel (59%) than women (47%).

Tips for maximizing your credit card for your next trip

Here are some ways to maximize travel rewards credit cards:

• Kickstart your rewards balance with a welcome offer. Earning a sizable welcome offer on a new travel rewards card can be a great way to get a pile of points or miles to put toward your next vacation, especially if you redeem them for outsize value through the issuer’s travel portal.
• Choose a card that matches your spending style. Select a card that offers the highest rewards for the things you spend most on, whether it’s gas, groceries, dining or travel, or an elevated flat-rate across all spending.
• Don’t overspend to earn rewards. The key with rewards cards is paying off the balance in full each month so that you’re not paying interest. Once you revolve a balance, you are taking away from the rewards you earn. 
• Decide if the cost of a premium travel card is worth it for you. If you’re new to credit card rewards, a no-annual-fee travel card can offer good value. If you’re a frequent traveler with good credit habits, travel cards with annual fees offer higher levels of rewards and benefits.
• Consider airline or hotel cards only if you’re loyal to one brand. Cobranded airline credit cards and hotel cards help you earn points or miles tied to a specific airline or hotel chain’s loyalty programs. You may also get perks like in-flight discounts, free checked bags, late check-out and more. But if you prefer flexible redemption options, stick with a general rewards card.
• Ensure you don’t have foreign transaction fees. If you’re traveling abroad, leave credit cards with foreign transaction fees at home and only bring cards that won’t charge you extra for overseas spending.
• Understand the card benefits. Many travel cards offer protections like trip cancellation/interruption insurance, lost baggage coverage and travel accident insurance. This can help provide peace of mind and remove some of those common travel fears. In addition, some cards may offer a fee credit for TSA PreCheck and Global Entry .

Methodology

This online survey of 1,000 Americans who plan to travel for leisure in 2024 was commissioned by USA TODAY Blueprint and conducted by market research company Talker Research, in accordance with the Market Research Society’s code of conduct. Data was collected from Jan. 24 to Jan. 30, 2024. The margin of error is +/- 3.1 points with 95% confidence. This survey was overseen by the Talker Research team, which is a member of the MRS and has corporate membership with the American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR).

Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy . The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.

Dawn Papandrea is a Staten Island, New York-based freelance writer specializing in personal finance, career and lifestyle topics. Her work has appeared in numerous publications and financial websites including Forbes Advisor, The Balance, Investopedia, CreditCards.com, BankRate.com, US News and World Report, and others. Papandrea has a master’s degree in journalism and mass communications from New York University.

Grace Pilling is a deputy editor for credit cards at USA TODAY Blueprint. She believes credit cards are the ultimate choose-your-own-adventure tools of the financial world and gets excited about helping people discover the best credit card strategy for their unique goals. Prior to joining Blueprint, Grace worked on and led personal finance teams at Bankrate, CreditCards.com, MoneyUnder30 and MoneyGeek. She has a bachelor’s degree in English and writing and a diploma in editing and publishing.

Robin Saks Frankel is a credit cards lead editor at USA TODAY Blueprint. Previously, she was a credit cards and personal finance deputy editor for Forbes Advisor. She has also covered credit cards and related content for other national web publications including NerdWallet, Bankrate and HerMoney. She's been featured as a personal finance expert in outlets including CNBC, Business Insider, CBS Marketplace, NASDAQ's Trade Talks and has appeared on or contributed to The New York Times, Fox News, CBS Radio, ABC Radio, NPR, International Business Times and NBC, ABC and CBS TV affiliates nationwide. She holds an M.S. in Business and Economics Journalism from Boston University. Follow her on Twitter at @robinsaks.

Why the Ink Business Unlimited is essential for small business owners

Credit cards Jason Steele

How much of my credit limit should I use?

Credit cards Louis DeNicola

American Express Platinum rental car benefits guide 2024

Credit cards Lee Huffman

What are the benefits of a business credit card?

Credit cards Sarah Brady

Secured vs. unsecured credit cards: What’s the difference?

Credit cards Michelle Lambright Black

Southwest credit card benefits guide 2024

Credit cards Julie Sherrier

Amex Green Card benefits guide 2024

Credit cards Tamara Aydinyan

Here’s how to avoid my embarrassing rookie Chase Sapphire Preferred travel redemption mistake

Credit cards Natasha Etzel

Ramp credit card review 2024: A corporate charge card that streamlines accounting

American Express Platinum CLEAR® Plus benefit guide 2024

Credit cards Juan Ruiz

Citi Strata Premier vs. Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Visa® Card

Is the Citi Diamond Preferred Card worth it?

Best credit cards for fair credit of June 2024

Credit cards Sarah Sharkey

Why did my credit card issuer just increase my credit limit?

Cash vs. credit: Which should I use?

An official website of the United States government Here's how you know

Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock A locked padlock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Air Travel Consumer Report: March 2024 Numbers

Contact:  [email protected]

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) today released its Air Travel Consumer Report (ATCR) on airline operational data compiled for the month of March 2024 for on-time performance, mishandled baggage, mishandled wheelchairs and scooters, and 1st quarter oversales. The ATCR is designed to assist consumers with information on the quality of services provided by airlines. 

For March 2024, 0.9% of flights were cancelled, lower than the 1.3% cancellation rate for March 2023 and the 2.0% cancellation rate for pre-pandemic March 2019.   

DOT expects that airlines will operate flights as scheduled and that when they do not, airlines will provide consumers the services promised when a flight is cancelled or delayed because of an airline issue. After a two-year DOT push to improve the passenger experience, the 10 largest airlines now guarantee meals and free rebooking on the same airline and nine guarantee hotel accommodations. Consumer-friendly information regarding airline commitments to their customers is available on the Department’s Airline Customer Service Dashboard at  FlightRights.Gov . DOT also pushed airlines to provide fee-free family seating and rolled out a new family seating dashboard that highlights the airlines that guarantee fee-free family seating, and those of the 10 largest that do not, making it easier for parents to avoid paying junk fees to sit with their children when they fly.

DOT recently announced two final rules that require airlines to  provide automatic cash refunds to passengers when owed  and  protect consumers from costly surprise airline fees . These rules will significantly expand consumer protections in air travel, provide passengers an easier pathway to refunds when owed, and save consumers more than half a billion dollars every year in hidden and surprise junk fees. Provisions of the final rule on airline refunds were fortified through the FAA reauthorization bill that President Biden signed into law on May 16, 2024.

In addition, DOT is improving transportation for individuals with disabilities. In July 2023, DOT finalized a rule which requires airlines to make lavatories on new, single-aisle aircraft more accessible. Then, in February 2024, DOT issued a proposal to address other barriers that Americans who use a wheelchair encounter when it comes to air travel by, among other things, proposing to mandate enhanced training for airline employees and contractors who physically assist passenger with disabilities and handle passengers’ wheelchairs.

Further, when necessary, DOT takes enforcement action against airlines and ticket agents that fail to comply with the Department’s aviation consumer protection requirements. In 2023, DOT issued the largest fines in the history of the consumer protection office. This includes a $140 million penalty against Southwest Airlines for failing passengers during the 2022 holiday meltdown. That penalty, which was in addition to over $600 million DOT already ensured was refunded by Southwest to passengers, requires Southwest to establish a $90 million compensation system for passengers affected by significant delays and cancellations beginning April 30, 2024.  Additionally, DOT has helped return nearly $4 billion in refunds to travelers since the pandemic began.

In April, DOT announced the launch of the bipartisan Airline Passenger Protection Partnership with 18 state attorneys general to investigate airlines and ticket agents and hold them accountable when they violate aviation consumer protection laws. The partnership significantly expands the Department’s oversight capacity by establishing a new fast-track system prioritizing misconduct cases from state attorneys general who uncover unfair or deceptive airline practices. Through the partnership, DOT will provide state attorneys general with access to the federal complaint database and help ensure that airlines cooperate with state investigations.

Flight Operations

The 623,409 flights operated in March 2024 were 102.47% of the 608,387 flights operated in March 2023. Operated flights in March 2024 were up 2.47% year-over-year from the 608,387 flights operated in March 2023 and up 13.46% month-over-month from 549,439 flights operated in February 2024. 

In March 2024, the 10 marketing network carriers reported 628,786 scheduled domestic flights, 5,377 (0.9%) of which were cancelled. In February 2024, airlines scheduled 552,691 domestic flights, 3,252 (0.6%) of which were cancelled. In March 2023, airlines scheduled 616,234 domestic flights, 7,847 (1.3%) of which were cancelled.

March 2024 On-Time Arrival

In March 2024, reporting marketing carriers posted an on-time arrival rate of 78.7%, down from 83.7% in February 2024 and up from 75.4% in March 2023. The year-to-date on-time arrival rate for 2024 is 78.3%.

Highest Marketing Carrier On-Time Arrival Rates March 2024 (ATCR Table 1)

• Hawaiian Airlines – 87.2%
• Delta Air Lines Network – 84.8%
• United Airlines Network – 81.8% 

Lowest Marketing Carrier On-Time Arrival Rates March 2024 (ATCR Table 1)

• Frontier Airlines – 66.4%
• JetBlue Airways – 68.4%
• Spirit Airlines – 69.6%

For the first three months of 2024, the reporting marketing carriers posted an on-time arrival rate of 78.31% up from 76.89% for the same period in 2023.

March 2024 Flight Cancellations

In March 2024, reporting marketing carriers cancelled 0.9% of their scheduled domestic flights, higher than the rate of 0.6% in February 2024 and lower than the rate of 1.3% in March 2023. The year-to-date cancellation rate for 2024 is 1.7%.

Lowest Marketing Carrier Rates of Cancelled Flights March 2024 (ATCR Table 6)

• Delta Air Lines Network – 0.2%  
• Hawaiian Airlines – 0.6%   
• Allegiant Air – 0.6%    

  Highest Marketing Carrier Rates of Cancelled Flights March 2024 (ATCR Table 6)

• Frontier Airlines – 2.7%    
• Spirit Airlines – 1.7%    
• JetBlue Airways – 1.4%    

For the first three months of 2024, the reporting marketing carriers posted a cancellation rate of 1.7%, equal to 1.7% for the same period in 2023.

Complaints About Airline Service

The release of air travel service complaint data in the Air Travel Consumer Report (ATCR) has been delayed primarily because of the continued high volume of complaints against airlines and ticket agents received by the Office of Aviation Consumer Protection (OACP) and the time needed to review and process these consumer complaints. The Department is investing in modernizing its system for handling consumer complaints with the support of a Technology Modernization Fund (TMF) investment to improve the customer experience for the tens of thousands of consumers who use the system each year and enable OACP to more effectively engage in oversight of the airline industry. 

As DOT modernizes its system, given the continued high volume of air travel service complaints concerning airlines and ticket agents, DOT has revised how it processes consumer complaints received after June 1, 2023. From June 2023 until the date its system is modernized, DOT intends to revise the ATCR to display consumer submissions (complaints, inquiries, and opinions) as opposed to complaints for this period. The Department will continue to display civil rights complaints in the ATCR in a similar manner as before and anticipates publishing submission and civil rights complaint numbers for June 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023 in June 2024.

Tarmac Delays

In March 2024, airlines reported six tarmac delays of more than three hours on domestic flights, compared to 10 tarmac delays of more than three hours on domestic flights reported in February 2024. In March 2024, airlines reported one tarmac delay of more than four hours on an international flight, compared to two tarmac delays of more than four hours on international flights reported in February 2024. 

Airlines are required to have and adhere to assurances that they will not allow aircraft to remain on the tarmac for more than three hours for domestic flights and four hours for international flights without providing passengers the option to deplane, subject to exceptions related to safety, security, and Air Traffic Control related reasons. An exception also exists for departure delays if the airline begins to return the aircraft to a suitable disembarkation point to deplane passengers by those times.

The Department investigates extended tarmac delays.

Mishandled Baggage

In March 2024, reporting marketing carriers handled 43.1 million bags and posted a mishandled baggage rate of 0.52%, higher than the rate of 0.48% in February 2024, but lower than the rate of 0.58% in March 2023.

For the first quarter of 2024, the carriers posted a mishandled baggage rate of 0.58%, lower than the first quarter 2023 rate of 0.64%.

The Department began displaying the mishandled baggage data as a percentage (i.e., per 100 bags enplaned) in January 2022. This is consistent with the manner that the mishandled wheelchairs and scooters rate is calculated and displayed.     In the prior three calendar year reports (2019 to 2021), the Department calculated the mishandled baggage rate based on the number of mishandled bags per 1,000 checked bags. 

Mishandled Wheelchairs and Scooters

In March 2024, reporting marketing carriers reported checking 65,793 wheelchairs and scooters and mishandling 859 for a rate of 1.31% mishandled wheelchairs and scooters, higher than the rate of 1.30% mishandled in February 2024 and lower than the rate of 1.33% mishandled in March 2023.

For the first quarter of 2024, the carriers posted a mishandled wheelchair and scooter rate of 1.36%, lower than the rate of 1.40% in the first quarter of 2023.

To address many of the significant barriers and challenges experienced by passengers who use wheelchairs, the Department has proposed a rulemaking that, if adopted as proposed would make it an automatic violation of the Department’s Air Carrier Access Act regulations for airlines to mishandle a passenger’s wheelchair. This  Notice of Proposed Rulemaking  would also enhance training requirements for airline personnel who provide hands-on transfer assistance to passengers and handle wheelchairs. The proposal is available at  https://www.regulations.gov , docket number DOT-OST-2022-0144.

Bumping/Oversales

Bumping/oversales data, unlike other air carrier data, are reported quarterly rather than monthly. For the first quarter of 2024, the 10 U.S. reporting marketing carriers posted an involuntary denied boarding, or bumping, rate of 0.27 per 10,000 passengers, lower than both the rate of 0.29 in the first quarter of 2023 and higher than the rate of 0.20 in the fourth quarter of 2023.

Incidents Involving Animals

As part of its IT modernization, DOT’s Office of Aviation Consumer Protection (OACP) is improving the options for covered carriers to submit their monthly and annual Reports on Incidents Involving Animals During Air Transport. While the new system is being developed, OACP is permitting covered carriers to delay submission of reports on incidents involving animals during air transport. Annual data on such incidents will be published when DOT receives carriers’ complete submissions of the 2023 data. 

In March 2024, carriers reported zero incidents involving the death, injury, or loss of an animal while traveling by air, down from the two reports filed in February 2024, and equal to the zero reports filed in March 2023.

Consumers may file air travel consumer or civil rights complaints online at   https://secure.dot.gov/air-travel-complaint , or they may mail a complaint to the Office of Aviation Consumer Protection, U.S. Department of Transportation, C-70, W96-432, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE, Washington, DC 20590.

The ATCR and other aviation consumer matters of interest to the public can be found at  https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer .

Things to Do in Elektrostal, Russia - Elektrostal Attractions

Things to do in elektrostal.

• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Good for Kids
• Good for Big Groups
• Adventurous
• Budget-friendly
• Hidden Gems
• Good for Couples
• Honeymoon spot
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Electrostal History and Art Museum

2. Statue of Lenin

3. Park of Culture and Leisure

4. museum and exhibition center.

5. Museum of Labor Glory

7. Galereya Kino

8. viki cinema, 9. smokygrove.

10. Gandikap

11. papa lounge bar, 12. karaoke bar.

Current time by city

For example, New York

Current time by country

For example, Japan

Time difference

For example, London

For example, Dubai

Coordinates

For example, Hong Kong

For example, Delhi

For example, Sydney

Geographic coordinates of Elektrostal, Moscow Oblast, Russia

City coordinates

Coordinates of Elektrostal in decimal degrees

Coordinates of elektrostal in degrees and decimal minutes, utm coordinates of elektrostal, geographic coordinate systems.

WGS 84 coordinate reference system is the latest revision of the World Geodetic System, which is used in mapping and navigation, including GPS satellite navigation system (the Global Positioning System).

Geographic coordinates (latitude and longitude) define a position on the Earth’s surface. Coordinates are angular units. The canonical form of latitude and longitude representation uses degrees (°), minutes (′), and seconds (″). GPS systems widely use coordinates in degrees and decimal minutes, or in decimal degrees.

Latitude varies from −90° to 90°. The latitude of the Equator is 0°; the latitude of the South Pole is −90°; the latitude of the North Pole is 90°. Positive latitude values correspond to the geographic locations north of the Equator (abbrev. N). Negative latitude values correspond to the geographic locations south of the Equator (abbrev. S).

Longitude is counted from the prime meridian ( IERS Reference Meridian for WGS 84) and varies from −180° to 180°. Positive longitude values correspond to the geographic locations east of the prime meridian (abbrev. E). Negative longitude values correspond to the geographic locations west of the prime meridian (abbrev. W).

UTM or Universal Transverse Mercator coordinate system divides the Earth’s surface into 60 longitudinal zones. The coordinates of a location within each zone are defined as a planar coordinate pair related to the intersection of the equator and the zone’s central meridian, and measured in meters.

Elevation above sea level is a measure of a geographic location’s height. We are using the global digital elevation model GTOPO30 .

Elektrostal , Moscow Oblast, Russia

Please note: Our website no longer fully supports IE11 , as such you may encounter issues using our website, please try an alternative browser such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge (Windows) or Safari (Mac).

Six Trends for Travel in 2021

ABTA has identified six key trends that are shaping people’s travel plans for 2021, based on expert insight and research, as well as booking data from our Members.

We identify two distinct types of traveller – those who are eager to return to destinations they know and love and those who want to take a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ trip. We also explore a strong commitment to cruise holidays, a rise in breaks that embrace the great outdoors, the ever-increasing importance of responsible tourism, and holidaymakers seeking the reassurances that come with booking a package holiday and the expertise of a travel professional.