(Council Bluffs) According to a recent AAA survey, Iowans are gearing up for travel in the coming year. The study found that 79% of residents plan to travel in 2024, with 33% intending to take more vacations than the previous year.
Debbie Haas, Vice President of Travel for AAA – The Auto Club Group, remarked that travel season is already heating up with Americans prioritizing travel. She added that AAA travel agents have been planning vacations ranging from weekend getaways to world cruises.
For many travelers, the most popular time to travel is from March through August. Spring break is the first vacation of the year for many, with only 22% of Iowans taking a spring break vacation. The most popular trips include the beach (21%), city/central metro (28%), resort/all-inclusive (13%), and lake destinations (13%).
Debbie Haas mentioned that many travelers search for warm weather, pools, beaches, and outdoor adventures this time of year. Florida is the top destination for spring break travelers, with Orlando being the most popular choice.
Fort Lauderdale and Miami are the most common domestic cruise ports. Cruising is off to a great start in 2024, with sold-out ships and inaugural sailings. There is strong demand for spring break bookings, with a 28% increase in cruise bookings for March and April compared to last year. There has been a 60% increase in bookings for cruises departing from South Florida. Many travelers are booking cruises earlier than before, a trend that AAA Travel has noticed this year. Spring break cruises are often sold out months in advance, and last-minute bookings may be limited in choice and more expensive. AAA Travel recommends booking a summer cruise now, especially for popular destinations like Alaska, before they sell out.
