SURVEY: Hawai‘i Continues to Top List of Travel Destinations

It may be another banner year for travel in 2019, according to the latest North American consumer travel trends survey from Travel Leaders Group.

More than 3,500 consumers took part in the survey and just about everyone—at least 96%—said they intend to travel for vacation in the coming year with nearly 90% stating they will take the same or more trips in 2019.

Meanwhile more than three-quarters of respondents (76%) said they’re planning at least two or more leisure trips next year with 36% indicating their travels, at least in part, involve solo trips.

Travel Leaders Group CEO Ninan Chacko said the desire to travel among North Americans “is stronger than ever, with an increasing focus on authentic, memorable experiences.”

Specialty travel such as culinary-focused, heritage journeys and bucket list destinations are still trending, along with solo travel, said Chacko.

“Many people are not willing to forgo vacations because they have no one to travel with or, in many cases, simply prefer to travel on their own,” said Chacko. “We are seeing a rise in solo travel and our advisors and travel supplier partners are stepping up and catering to that demand with tailored trips for the solo traveller.”

Topping the list of U.S. destinations getting the most interest from North American travelers are Hawai‘i, Alaska and California. The full top 10 in order is:

1. Hawai‘i
2. Alaska
3. California
4. Florida
5. Louisiana
6. Colorado
7. New York
8. Arizona
9. Montana
10. Washington D.C.

For those more interested in a cruise, Carnival, Costa and Princess will all debut new ships in 2019.

By region, the top international destinations North Americans said they’re most interested in traveling to in 2019 are:

1. The Caribbean
2. Western Europe
3. Mexico
4. Canada
5. Eastern Europe

Not surprisingly, money was the No. 1 reason consumers indicated they don’t travel more. Work obligations and not enough time off were the second and third most common reasons people said they don’t travel more frequently. That said, 43% of survey respondents said they plan to spend more on vacation travel in 2019 versus the previous year.

The most popular method of traveling (cited by 40% of solo travelers) is to travel and explore independently while 25% indicated they prefer to join an organized group journey when traveling solo. Some 35% of solo travelers said they like to participate in one or more guided tour experiences while traveling.

The Travel Leaders Group consumer travel trends survey was conducted between September and October 2018 among more than 3,500 consumers.

Relax!

Surf!

Kayak!

HIke!

Swim (or float)!

Sunbathe!

Scuba!

Sightsee!

Eat!

Drink!

Be merry!

Check out a freshly made beach!

Visit Kilauea’s “road to nowhere.”