Virtuoso has identified where affluent Americans are venturing this summer. Thanks to its data of more than $49.5 billion in travel bookings, Virtuoso was able to pinpoint the top 10 domestic and international destinations for the season. Travel is seeing an unprecedented resurgence, with perennial favorites throughout Europe proving this summer’s biggest draw for Virtuoso travelers. And while 82 percent of Virtuoso travelers polled said that they were heading to the beach for spring break, A-list destinations like Africa, Australia and Alaska that were unavailable to Americans last year are now the ones to watch. Wherever affluent travelers decide to go this summer, they need to plan and book quickly. Virtuoso advisors say that favorite spots such as Italy’s Amalfi Coast are nearly sold out.
Top 10 U.S. Destinations for Summer 2022
- California
- Hawaii
- Florida
- Massachusetts
- Colorado
- Washington
- Montana
- South Carolina
- New York
- Alaska
A key trend Virtuoso has been tracking throughout the pandemic is the shift from destination seasonality caused by the pandemic and its impact on the travel cycle. Traditional ski destinations like Colorado and Montana are emerging as summer playgrounds while southeastern states, including South Carolina and Florida, continue to be popular into the warmer months. Meanwhile, Alaska cracks the top 10 without even taking into account the cruising season, which is how most travelers experience the state. Washington’s surge in bookings is likely in support of the Alaska summer season, as many travelers choose to stay over and enjoy the Evergreen State. Overall, though, California leads the way for summer travel by offering diversity throughout the state, from expansive beaches to culturally rich cities, not to mention some of the country’s best food and wine offerings.
Top 10 Destinations for Summer 2022
- United States
- Italy
- France
- Canada
- Greece
- United Kingdom
- Spain
- Mexico
- Ireland
- Switzerland
While Americans are continuing to explore the U.S., it’s the return to European summer vacations following a 2-year hiatus that is clearly garnering the most excitement. With seven of the top 10 destinations located in Europe, pent-up demand is outweighing any concerns associated with the conflict in Ukraine. Neighboring Canada, which was also off-limits to U.S. travelers last summer, is making its return to the list. And to the south, Mexico remains a yearlong favorite.
All data is based on hotel bookings made by Virtuoso-affiliated U.S. leisure travelers and includes travel for June, July and August 2022.
For more information, visit virtuoso.com.
For more travel news and updates, click here. And, check out the travel trends for the affluent traveler.
