There’s a significant demand for travel to destinations across the Americas, with travel volumes steadily climbing up as we move into the summer season, a latest study has revealed. The North America subregion is seeing the biggest share of travel and features the top three most searched destinations.
According to the latest study on travel trends by Amadeus, in collaboration with UN Tourism, the U.S., U.K. and Brazil were the leading origin markers searching for travel to North America. The region also captured the top three most searched destinations – New York, Toronto and Los Angeles, the report added.
In Central America, the U.S. was the top market searching for trips to Central America. This was followed by Canada and the U.K. Costa Rica emerged as the most searched destination in this subregion. Searches were slightly lower than average search volumes in the Americas. As origin markets, North America and South America provide the highest air capacity to Central America, with North America accounting for 66% of air traffic arrivals to Central America.
Argentina and Brazil are rising in popularity as most searched-for destinations in South America. Buenos Aires, Sao Paulo and Santiago were the top three searched for destinations in the Americas. Search volumes were moderately higher than the average search volume in the Americas. Most of the international air traffic arrivals are from North America, Europe, and Central America and Caribbean.
In the Caribbean subregion, the U.S., Argentina and France claimed the top three spots as the most searched destinations, with Punta Cana emerging as the most-searched-for destination. Search volumes were mostly similar to average search volumes for the Americas, indicating the robust growth from 2023. Overall, North America and Europe have the greatest air capacity, with 77% and 13% of seats originating from North America and Europe, respectively.
FOCUS ON NORTH AMERICA
The U.S. emerged as the most searched destination. Travelers from the U.K. U.S and Germany contributed to the top search volumes to North America between May to August.
The leading air booked destinations were New York City, Cancun, Orlando, Los Angeles and Miami.
Around 1.3 billion international tourists were recorded globally in 2023, rising 34% from 2022 figures, according to data by UN Tourism. International tourist arrivals in the Americas jumped 90% of pre-pandemic levels in 2023.
This year, searches for travel from May to August skyrocketed 132% from the same period in 2023, showed data by Amadeus. Air travel indicators for the same period have revealed that airlines have been responding to this demand for travel and air capacity has surged for the May-August period to 111% against 2023 volumes.
Hotel occupancy opens the May to August period at around 25% and is projected to decline slightly in the following weeks, influenced by shorter booking lead time with 44% of travelers booking their hotel accommodations within a week of their arrival.
This is the second study in a series of reports offering insights into global tourism, with a focus on the Americas and its subregions, North America, South America, Central America, and the Caribbean.