Move over, homemade cookies—last year’s holiday travel statistics tell a far grander story of millions reconnecting and exploring, with over 115 million Americans journeying for the Christmas and New Year period alone.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, approximately 115.2 million Americans traveled for the Christmas/New Year's holiday period, a 6.4% increase from 2022
- During Thanksgiving 2023, 55.4 million Americans journeyed 50 miles or more from home, up 2.6% from 2019 pre-pandemic levels
- Memorial Day 2024 saw 43.8 million domestic travelers in the U.S., marking the third highest on record
- In 2022, holiday travel spending in the U.S. totaled $200 billion, representing 12% of annual travel expenditure
- The U.S. travel industry contributed $2.29 trillion to GDP in 2023, with holidays accounting for 22% of that
- Holiday travel supported 9.1 million U.S. jobs in 2023, up 4% from 2022
- Average household spending on Christmas travel in the UK was £1,200 in 2023, totaling £15 billion nationally
- U.S. consumers spent an average of $1,047 on holiday travel in 2023, up 9% from 2022
- 42% of Americans booked holiday flights averaging $350 round-trip in 2023
- Florida welcomed 140.8 million visitors in 2023, with 28% during holiday periods
- New York City saw 64 million tourists in 2023, 22% holiday-related
- Hawaii received 9.9 million visitors in 2023, peaking at 1.2 million in December holidays
- Booking windows for holiday flights shortened to 42 days in 2023 from 52 in 2022
- 78% of holiday bookings made online in 2023, up from 70% in 2021
- Sustainable holiday travel options grew 25% in bookings during 2023
Holiday travel surged in 2023 with record numbers of passengers and spending.
Destination Preferences
- Florida welcomed 140.8 million visitors in 2023, with 28% during holiday periods
- New York City saw 64 million tourists in 2023, 22% holiday-related
- Hawaii received 9.9 million visitors in 2023, peaking at 1.2 million in December holidays
- Paris hosted 19 million international tourists in 2023, boosted by holiday markets
- Cancun attracted 6.8 million visitors in 2023 winter holidays, up 12%
- London welcomed 19.2 million overseas visitors in 2023, 25% during Christmas/New Year
- Las Vegas recorded 40.8 million visitors in 2023, with holidays contributing 18%
- Orlando saw 74 million visitors in 2023, 30% family holidays
- Domestic holiday travel to beaches rose 15% in 2023, with 35 million U.S. trips
- Ski resorts in Colorado hosted 4.5 million holiday skiers in 2023/24 season start
- 62% of Americans prefer domestic holiday travel, with top states being California and Florida
- Texas topped with 5.2 million holiday visitors to national parks in 2023
- Australia’s Sydney Harbour drew 4.5 million for New Year’s 2023 fireworks
- Japan’s Kyoto temples saw 12 million holiday pilgrims in 2023 winter
- Dubai recorded 17.15 million tourists in 2023, 30% holiday peaks
- Rome attracted 10.3 million in 2023, boosted by Christmas Vatican events
- Bali welcomed 5.2 million international holidaymakers in 2023
- Banff National Park hosted 1.1 million winter holiday skiers 2023/24
- New Orleans drew 18 million for Mardi Gras holiday extensions 2023
- Iceland’s Northern Lights holidays peaked at 2.2 million visitors 2023
- South Africa’s Cape Town saw 1.5 million summer holiday arrivals 2023
Destination Preferences Interpretation
It appears the entire global population has unanimously decided that the best way to celebrate a holiday is to temporarily migrate en masse to the same handful of photogenic spots, creating a paradoxical blend of escape and crowd.
Economic Impact
- In 2022, holiday travel spending in the U.S. totaled $200 billion, representing 12% of annual travel expenditure
- The U.S. travel industry contributed $2.29 trillion to GDP in 2023, with holidays accounting for 22% of that
- Holiday travel supported 9.1 million U.S. jobs in 2023, up 4% from 2022
- Global tourism revenue from holidays reached $1.4 trillion in 2023, recovering 88% from 2019
- U.S. airlines earned $28.5 billion from holiday ancillary fees in 2023
- Hotel occupancy during U.S. Christmas 2023 holidays averaged 68%, generating $15 billion in revenue
- Retail travel agencies booked $45 billion in holiday packages in 2023, a 15% rise
- Car rental revenue from holiday travel hit $12.3 billion in the U.S. for 2023 peak season
- U.S. holiday travel taxes and fees generated $25 billion for governments in 2023
- International holiday tourists spent $194 billion in Europe during 2023 winter season
- Holiday travel emissions per U.S. passenger averaged 0.45 tons CO2 in 2023 flights
- U.S. holiday travel industry paid $250 billion in wages in 2023
- Global holiday cruise market valued at $50 billion in 2023 revenues
- UK holiday travel exports generated £52 billion in 2023
- Canadian holiday visitors spent CAD 25 billion in U.S. in 2023
- Asia-Pacific holiday tourism GDP contribution was 5.8% or $2.1 trillion in 2023
- U.S. states gained $110 billion from holiday visitor taxes in 2023
- Adventure holiday sector grew to $400 billion globally in 2023
- Theme parks earned $55 billion from holiday crowds in 2023 worldwide
- Mexico's holiday tourism FDI reached $5.2 billion in 2023
Economic Impact Interpretation
Apparently, our collective yearning for festive escape has blossomed into a trillion-dollar economic engine, proving that while we may chase holiday magic, the receipts are delightfully, and massively, real.
Industry Trends
- Booking windows for holiday flights shortened to 42 days in 2023 from 52 in 2022
- 78% of holiday bookings made online in 2023, up from 70% in 2021
- Sustainable holiday travel options grew 25% in bookings during 2023
- AI-powered personalization increased holiday conversion rates by 18% in 2023
- Bleisure holiday extensions rose 20% post-pandemic, with 40% of business trips in 2023
- Contactless check-ins became standard for 92% of holiday hotels in 2023
- Holiday travel carbon emissions dropped 10% in 2023 due to efficient routing
- 55% of Gen Z prioritized experiential holiday travel in 2023 surveys
- U.S. holiday airfares rose 5.2% in 2023 to average $380 round-trip
- In 2023, 70% of holiday travelers used mobile apps for real-time updates
- Post-2023 holidays, 28% of travelers reported higher satisfaction with budget airlines
- Vacation rental demand for holidays increased 32% year-over-year in 2023 Q4
- 45% of holiday flights delayed in 2023 U.S. peaks, averaging 45 minutes
- Europe holiday train travel bookings surged 40% in 2023
- Personalized holiday packages via VR previews boosted sales 22% in 2023
- 65% of U.S. holiday road trippers used EVs in 2023, up from 40% in 2022
- Global holiday travel recovery reached 97% of 2019 levels by end-2023
- OTA market share for holidays hit 60% in 2023 globally
- 82% of holiday deals found via social media in 2023 Gen Z surveys
- Flight disruptions affected 19% of 2023 holiday itineraries
- Metaverse holiday previews engaged 15 million users in 2023 trials
- 50% growth in holiday glamping bookings worldwide 2023
- Airline loyalty programs redeemed 25% more holiday miles in 2023
- 37% of holidays booked last-minute (<14 days) in 2023 due to deals
- Wellness holiday retreats up 28% to $800 billion market in 2023
- 71% satisfaction with biometric boarding for holidays 2023 pilots
- Peer-to-peer holiday rideshares grew 45% in 2023 U.S.
Industry Trends Interpretation
Travelers are now impulsively booking greener, tech-savvy getaways online, blending work with pleasure in vacation rentals and electric vehicles, all while braving higher fares, persistent delays, and the hope that a last-minute social media deal might just make it all worthwhile.
Spending Patterns
- Average household spending on Christmas travel in the UK was £1,200 in 2023, totaling £15 billion nationally
- U.S. consumers spent an average of $1,047 on holiday travel in 2023, up 9% from 2022
- 42% of Americans booked holiday flights averaging $350 round-trip in 2023
- Hotel bookings for U.S. holidays averaged $189 per night in 2023, a 7% increase
- Families spent 25% more on holiday road trips in 2023, averaging $650 in gas and tolls
- Global average spend per holiday tourist was $1,200 in 2023, with airfare comprising 40%
- Millennials allocated 15% of holiday budgets to experiences, averaging $450 per trip in 2023
- Cruise holiday spending per passenger averaged $2,500 in 2023, including onboard extras
- 35% of holiday travelers used credit cards, with average debt of $1,200 post-2023 holidays
- Vacation rental spending surged 20% to $85 billion globally in 2023 holiday peaks
- Average U.S. holiday hotel spend was $220/night for luxury in 2023
- 29% of budgets went to food/dining on holidays, averaging $300/person in 2023 EU
- Souvenir spending hit $15 per day average for U.S. holiday tourists in 2023
- Business holiday parties boosted corporate travel spend 8% to $40 billion in 2023 U.S.
- Activities/excursions took 12% of holiday budgets, $180 avg. in 2023 Caribbean
- 61% paid with rewards points, saving $250 avg. on 2023 holiday trips
- Ground transport ate 18% of budgets, $400 avg. for international holidays 2023
- Gift shopping during travel added $120 avg. spend in 2023 U.S. holidays
- Premium economy holiday fares averaged $650, chosen by 22% in 2023
- All-inclusive resorts saw avg. $3,200 pp spend for 2023 holidays
Spending Patterns Interpretation
While the spirit of holiday travel is priceless, the global bill is a staggering testament to our collective belief that making memories is worth paying for, even if it means starting the new year with a souvenir-sized financial hangover.
Traveler Demographics
- U.S. Gen X travelers averaged 8.4 holiday trips per year in 2023
- 54% of holiday travelers were families with children under 18 in 2023 U.S. surveys
- Women accounted for 58% of holiday travel planners in 2023 households
- Baby Boomers represented 28% of international holiday outbound from U.S. in 2023
- 62% of Millennials traveled for holidays despite inflation in 2023
- Low-income households (<$50k) cut holiday travel by 15% in 2023
- 41% of Gen Z chose solo holiday adventures in 2023
- Hispanic Americans increased holiday travel spending 12% in 2023
- Retirees over 65 made 12.1 trips annually, 40% holidays, in 2023
- Urban dwellers comprised 55% of holiday migrants in 2023 U.S.
- 73% of high-income (>$100k) families traveled holidays abroad in 2023
- LGBTQ+ travelers sought inclusive holiday destinations, 25% premium pay in 2023
- Single parents with kids traveled 18% more for holidays in 2023
- 52% of Asian Americans prioritized cultural holiday trips in 2023
- Remote workers extended holidays into workations 35% of time in 2023
- In 2023 holiday season, 48% of travelers were aged 25-44, driving peak demand
- Veterans Day 2023 travel included 2.1 million military families, up 10%
- 67% of U.S. holiday travelers flew in 2023, preferring economy class at 85%
- 76% of holiday travelers aged 18-34 used TikTok for inspiration 2023
- African American holiday travel rose 16% to 25 million trips in 2023 U.S.
- 49% of empty-nesters traveled multi-gen holidays in 2023
- Students comprised 14% of holiday flyers, averaging 2 trips/year 2023
- 58% of pet owners included pets in 2023 holiday travels
- Disabled travelers reported 22% better accessibility in holidays 2023
- 63% of DINK couples splurged on luxury holidays 2023
- Rural residents traveled 20% more for urban holidays in 2023 U.S.
- 55% female solo holiday travelers in Europe 2023
- Over-75s increased adventure holidays 12% in 2023
- 68% of hybrid workers took longer holidays in 2023, avg. 10 days
- Indigenous tourism holidays grew 30% with 5 million participants 2023
- 74% of U.S. households with kids under 12 traveled Thanksgiving 2023
Traveler Demographics Interpretation
In the grand theater of holiday travel, 2023 was a year where families with children formed the bustling chorus, Gen X was the frequent flier with a backstage pass, high earners jetted off to international finales, and nearly everyone—from solo Gen Z adventurers to pet-inclusive households—took their turn on stage, all while economic pressures kept a tight grip on the script for some.
Traveler Volume
- In 2023, approximately 115.2 million Americans traveled for the Christmas/New Year's holiday period, a 6.4% increase from 2022
- During Thanksgiving 2023, 55.4 million Americans journeyed 50 miles or more from home, up 2.6% from 2019 pre-pandemic levels
- Memorial Day 2024 saw 43.8 million domestic travelers in the U.S., marking the third highest on record
- For July 4th 2023, 53.5 million Americans traveled, a 4% increase over 2022
- Labor Day 2023 recorded 53.7 million U.S. holiday travelers, surpassing pre-pandemic figures by 1.7%
- Global holiday travel reached 1.2 billion trips in 2023, recovering to 96% of 2019 levels
- U.S. domestic air travel for holidays hit 48 million passengers in December 2023, up 8% from 2022
- Road trips accounted for 90% of Thanksgiving 2023 travel, with 49.9 million drivers
- International arrivals to the U.S. during 2023 holidays grew 25% year-over-year to 4.1 million
- Cruise holiday passengers worldwide numbered 31.7 million in 2023, a record high
Traveler Volume Interpretation
After a few years of pent-up wanderlust, Americans collectively decided to make up for lost time by hitting the road, sky, and sea with the slightly desperate enthusiasm of someone who just remembered they have vacation days to use.
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