Summer is the most popular travel season for US customers, but it comes at a price;
American Express Travel surveyed a group of nearly 300 of their travel experts to find out what's hot for this summer travel season and the biggest trend is price.
More than 60% of travel experts reported the cost of travel is up compared to the same time last year. The culprits are airfare and hotel stays, but there seems to be a legitimate reason: 35% of experts say prices are on the rise because travelers are choosing to spend more on their summer trips.
Exclusive activities and high-end amenities are what most people are asking for, and they're not afraid to spend a little to get what they want.
"After one of the coldest and snowiest winters on record, it's no surprise people are itching to get away this summer," says Laura Fink, vice president of American Express Travel, in a prepared statement. "That long, cold winter has fostered a demand for travel where customers are placing a premium on perks and amenities to upgrade their trip experiences despite rising costs."
The survey also indicated that travelers are tacking more time off for vacation. The average duration of summer trips are 10 days, compared to 5-7 days in previous years.
So, where are these travelers going? US summer travelers are heading all around the world. The most popular spots are:
1. London
2. Paris
3. Rome
4. Orlando, FL
5. New York, NY
6. Kahului, HI
7. San Francisco, CA
8. Cancun, Mexico
9. Los Angeles, CA
10. Honolulu, HI
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Melanie Nayer is a hotel reviewer and expert on luxury travel around the world. She has covered all aspects of hotels including corporate restructures, re-branding initiatives, historical aspects and the best of the best in luxury hotels around the world. Melanie writes a weekly exclusive column for 4Hoteliers.com