Did you know that Americans spent $940 billion on domestic travel in 2022?
Those are the figures according to Statista.com - and with factors such as high inflation, rising airfares and greater concern for the environment changing the way people choose to travel, the forecast for domestic travel spend seems set to exceed one trillion dollars by the end of 2023.
Now is a fantastic time to capitalize on local tourism, and we’re here to show you how to build the perfect domestic vacation, including how to optimize your offers with accommodation offers and cross-selling opportunities. Here are five recommended US short breaks that your customers will love!
Since 2020, there has been a shift in travel trends as more Americans than ever before want to visit rural and natural destinations such as national parks. Because parks such as Yellowstone received record breaking numbers of visitors in 2021 and many more experienced overcrowding, why not suggest somewhere that’s still popular, but doesn’t receive so many visitors, such as Olympic National Park in Washington State?
Location: Olympic National Park can be found to the west of Seattle, just south of the border with Canada and Vancouver. Covering a vast wilderness of more than one million acres, it’s characterized by snow-covered peaks, lush forest-carpeted valleys, and wild dramatic coastlines. It’s the ideal place for getting back to nature, getting away from it all and reveling in natural activities.
Arrival and departure point: Seattle Tacoma Airport
Ideal for: Couples’ retreats
Stay: Lake Quinault Lodge. This secluded lodge sits on the edge of Lake Quinault, within the majestic Quinault Indian Reservation just to the south of the park. Surrounded by huge swathes of forests, cascading waterfalls and towering verdant mountains, it’s the perfect base from which to explore the area.
Add-ons:
· Car hire – Because very little of the Olympic National Park is accessible via public transport, your customers will benefit from a rented vehicle to get around. Explore our portfolio of leading car rental companies, each with a track record of service excellence, flexible technology solutions, and options to suit all needs.
· Activities – Operators in and around the park offer activities such as boating, fishing, wildlife tours, and even star-gazing trips. However, be sure check out our Booking Engine for cross-selling opportunities – by selecting ‘product for packaging’ at the time of search, you will be able to select from a range of activities (and other ancillary products) to add to your customer’s booking. Alternatively, you can simply select the 'Experiences' tab in the Booking Engine!
Road trips are perennially popular breaks in the US, and their popularity has soared, with many travelers feeling safer with private transport and the ability to get around as they please. New England offers the perfect road trip itinerary for customers seeking more flexibility, and can be completed over just four days if they’re planning on taking a short break.
Location: The New England coastline offers beauty, nature, history and buzzing cities all packed into a relatively short distance. Within just a few days, customers can travel through five states, including New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Maine.
Arrival point: New York Departure point: Boston
Ideal for: Families with older kids; couples
Suggested itinerary:
Day one: Leaving the bright lights of New York behind, your customers can drive up the coastline as they visit sites such as Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park and Bluff Point State Park along the way. Night can be spent at the picturesque waterside town of Mystic at the Hilton Mystic Hotel. The town is also home to the famous Mystic Pizza restaurant, which inspired the rom-com movie of the same name.
Day two: Continuing up the coast, suggest that your customers stop off at cultural spots along the way, such as charming Stonington where they enjoy a historic walking tour. In the afternoon, they can continue to Newport and explore further with a stroll along the Newport Cliff Walk with its panoramic ocean views. Night will be spent at the Newport Harbor Hotel and Marina.
Day three: Your customers will spend their penultimate day exploring the stunning area of Cape Cod, known for its windswept coastlines, delightful little towns and villages, and excellent seafood. In the afternoon, they can continue their journey to Boston to visit top attractions such as the Boston Tea Party boats in the harbor and the bar from Cheers. Accommodation for the night will be at the Cambria Hotel Boston.
Day four: Continuing north to the town of Salem, famed for its witch trials, your customers will learn more about this horrific event before continuing on to Portland with its lovely waterfront converted warehouses, Victorian mansions and ocean views. They will spend the last night of their trip at the Holiday Inn Portland by the Bay.
Add-ons:
· Car hire – For those flying in from other states, car hire is an imperative add-on to have.
· Tickets – Suggest that your customers join one of several historic guided tours, such as the Boston Old Town Trolley tour, or secure admission to top attractions – the Boston CityPASS is a great option for tourists aiming to squeeze every last drop out of their sightseeing adventure.
Vacations near water have always been popular, and will continue to be so: it’s said that water has a calming effect, and that certainly seems to be true, with many US travelers choosing domestic breaks near the coast or inland lakes over the past few years. There are so many lakeside retreats in the US that it can be hard for travelers to decide where to go, but somewhere as vast as the Lake of the Ozarks offers a myriad of adventures for the choosing.
Location: Situated in Missouri, the Lake of the Ozarks is a vast reservoir, covering a huge 218.5km2. With more than 1,100 miles of shoreline, this wild water world offers everything from public beaches to boating, fishing and nature walks.
Arrival and departure point: Waynesville - St. Robert Regional Airport (also known as Fort Leonard Wood Airport).
Ideal for: Couples’ retreats
Stay: The Lodge of Four Seasons. This four-star lakefront property covers a huge area and offers everything from a championship golf course to a relaxing spa, two restaurants and three bars.
Add-ons:
· Car hire – The easiest way to get to and around the Lake of the Ozarks is with your own transport, so car rental is a great add-on to offer to your customers.
· Activities – Make it simple for your customers by adding on some pre-booked activities such as boat rides, cave tours or tickets to the Ozark Distillery and Brewery.
Florida is always a popular destination for US domestic trips, with many domestic travelers choosing the Sunshine State as the place to get their tropical beach fix instead of going further afield.
Location: The sun-kissed Florida Keys are an obvious choice, but why not suggest somewhere else such as St Petersburg and Clearwater? St Petersburg and Clearwater offer the perfect match of culture, city and beach, and are a great choice for families. With over 35 miles of powdery white sand, world class museums and attractions, this area of Florida makes for an ideal short break.
Arrival point: St. Petersburg and Clearwater Airport or Tampa Airport
Ideal for: Family vacations
Stay: Three-night break at the Rumfish Beach Resort. This mid-range resort lies right on the St Pete beachfront and offers bright, colorful family suites, as well as kids’ activities and outdoor pools.
Add-ons:
· Tickets: Possibilities include tickets to the Salvador Dalí Museum or the Clearwater Marine Aquarium.
· Car hire isn’t necessary if your customers are just staying around St. Pete Beach and Clearwater, but if they want to explore further afield and visit some of the more natural areas or theme parks, it couldn’t be simpler for you to cross-sell a rental in our Booking Engine.
Seasonal travel has also proved to be a domestic trend: think skiing in Vail in the winter and leaf peeping in New England in the fall. While the cherry blossom season has just passed us by, why not give your customers something to look forward to by booking their next spring break?
Location: The historic city of Macon in Georgia is home to over 350,000 Yoshino cherry blossom trees and every year in March, the city is covered in pink and white cotton candy blooms. Macon even hosts the International Cherry Blossom Festival, held for 10 days from around mid to late March, with concerts, food, craft markets, and of course the blossom itself. Add this to Georgia’s graceful antebellum homes, the city’s famed rock ‘n’ roll legacy and both Native American and African American sites, travelers will see why Macon offers a lot more than just flowers.
Arrival and departure point: Middle Georgia Regional Airport
Ideal for: Solo travel, couples and families
Stay: A three-night break at the Macon Marriott City Centre. Located in Macon city center, the hotel lies just a short walk or taxi ride from the Native American Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park and the Tubman Museum of African American history and culture.
Add-ons:
· Tickets – Add on tickets for tours and attractions such as the Tubman Museum, Hay House and Rock Candy Tours.
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