Adara is seeing a major shift in outbound leisure travel from the U.S. this winter. Travel from the U.S. to the Middle East has taken a hit among travel advisories to American citizens from the U.S. government.
Adara’s travel-intent data shows that year-end outbound travel from the U.S. is dominated by destinations in the Caribbean and Latin America, with a surge in bookings. Flights to island nations in the Caribbean and beach destinations in Central America are booked up to three times more than in the same period in 2022.
Prioritizing Safety When Traveling
Travelers in the U.S. are increasingly prioritizing safety when choosing their travel destinations. The U.S. government’s travel advisories largely influence these heightened concerns, especially in regions with political turmoil and conflict. As a result, the Middle East region has seen a decline in U.S. tourist arrivals, as travelers heed caution.
In response to these advisories, many are opting for safer alternatives, with domestic and nearby international destinations gaining popularity. The Caribbean and Mexico have proven top choices, offering inviting climates and predictability during winter. A majority of the demand for hotel bookings in the Caribbean is coming from couples and families. Family travel from the U.S. to the Caribbean is up 123% year-over-year (Y-o-Y) from 2022. Here’s a look at how flight bookings from the U.S. to destinations in the Caribbean have changed over the last year:
Surge in Travel to the Caribbean
| Destination | Y-o-Y Growth in Flight Bookings Compared to 2022 |
| Barbados | 32% |
| Grenada | 33% |
| Honduras | 40% |
| Sint Maarten | 44% |
| Trinidad and Tobago | 63% |
| Curacao | 78% |
| Antigua and Barbuda | 87% |
| Virgin Islands | 89% |
| Dominica | 112% |
| Anguilla | 128% |
| Dominica | 217% |
Source: Adara, a RateGain Company
The Shift Away from the Middle East
The beginning of 2023 saw a rise in travel demand to the Middle East from the U.S. and Europe. However, situations and global crises have made Western travelers wary of tourism in the region. Many countries in the Middle East are experiencing a slump in travel bookings by 20% to 60%.
| Country | Y-O-Y Change compared to 2022 |
| Bahrain | -56% |
| Jordan | -46% |
| Israel | -39% |
| Kuwait | -36% |
| Lebanon | -25% |
| UAE | -21% |
| Saudi Arabia | -19% |
| Turkey | -15% |
Source: Adara, a RateGain Company
Testing Warmer Waters
The allure of warmer destinations has triggered a shift in travel patterns. Within the U.S., destinations like Florida and Southern California are preferred for their pleasant winter temperatures. Internationally, the Caribbean and Mexico are attracting U.S. travelers with their beautiful beaches, temperate weather and luxury resorts, providing a secure and enjoyable winter escape.
Most of the domestic tourism from the U.S. is for bookings to sunny and warm destinations. Florida has proven the most popular state with arrivals in Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Tampa and Fort Myers topping the chart. Internationally, Cancun has proven a popular holiday destination, along with San Jose and Santo Domingo. Additionally, there are a large number of bookings to New Delhi and Mumbai, with the Indian diaspora flying home for winter vacation.
Top 10 Domestic Destinations from the U.S.
| Rank | City | State | Country |
| 1 | Orlando | Florida | USA |
| 2 | Fort Lauderdale | Florida | USA |
| 3 | Las Vegas | Nevada | USA |
| 4 | Los Angeles | California | USA |
| 5 | Miami | Florida | USA |
| 6 | San Juan | Puerto Rico | USA |
| 7 | Tampa | Florida | USA |
| 8 | Fort Myers | Florida | USA |
| 9 | San Diego | California | USA |
| 10 | Lake Buena Vista | Florida | USA |
Source: Adara, a RateGain Company
Top 10 Outbound Destinations from the U.S.
| Rank | City | Country |
| 1 | Cancun | Mexico |
| 2 | San Jose | Costa Rica |
| 3 | Mumbai | India |
| 4 | Santo Domingo | Dominican Republic |
| 5 | New Delhi | India |
| 6 | London | UK |
| 7 | Guatemala City | Guatemala |
| 8 | Bogota | Colombia |
| 9 | Rionegro | Colombia |
| 10 | La Mesa | Honduras |
Source: Adara, a RateGain Company
Read the full report at www.woah.travel
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