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APROXIMATELY 115.2 MILLION travelers are expected to cover 50 miles or more from home during the 10-day year-end holiday travel period, according to AAA. This year's total number of domestic travelers reflects a 2.2 percent increase over last year and represents the second-highest year-end travel forecast since 2000, when AAA began tracking holiday travel. However, 2019 holds the record for the busiest Christmas and New Year's travel period, with 119 million travelers. "This year-end holiday forecast, with an additional 2.5 million travelers compared to last year, mirrors what AAA Travel has been observing throughout 2023," said Paula Twidale, senior vice president at AAA Travel. "More Americans are investing in travel, despite the cost, to make memories with loved ones and experience new places. AAA expects approximately 104 million people to drive to their holiday destinations, representing a 1.8 percent increase from 2022. This year's projected number of drivers is the second-highest on record, with 2019 holding the top spot when 108 million drivers traveled for the holidays, AAA said.

APPROXIMATELY 119.3 MILLION Americans are expected to travel 50 miles or more from home during the year-end holidays, from Dec. 21 to Jan. 1, according to the latest AAA forecast. Nearly 90 percent of holiday travelers will drive, making it the most popular mode of travel. This year's domestic travel projection surpasses the 2019 record by 64,000 and is 3 million higher than last year, AAA said in its report. "This is the time of year when lifelong memories are made with loved ones, and travel plays a big role in that," said Stacey Barber, AAA Travel's vice president. "With Christmas Day falling on a Wednesday, we're anticipating record-breaking travel numbers the weekend before and after the holiday."

U.S. HOTEL BOOKINGS for Dec. 21-25 are up 22 percent from last year, according to SiteMinder, a hotel distribution and revenue platform. The growth is driven by international bookings, which now account for 32 percent of total bookings, up from 28 percent during the same period in 2023, a more than 15 percent annual increase. The top five markets driving this growth are Canada, Germany, the UK, France, and Italy, SiteMinder data showed. "It's pleasing to see that U.S. hotels will be enjoying their share of Christmas cheer this year," said Trent Innes, SiteMinder's chief growth officer. "Increased bookings, driven by the strong return of international travel and continued confidence among domestic travelers, are also leading to longer stays and extended lead times. These positive trends present both an opportunity and a call to action for American hoteliers to provide tailored, seamless experiences this festive season, maximizing revenue while fostering loyalty and positive reviews."

APPROXIMATELY 52 PERCENT of Americans plan to travel overnight for leisure during the upcoming holidays, according to a recent American Hotel & Lodging Association survey. Hotels remain the top choice for 45 percent of leisure and 59 percent of business travelers. However, inflation continues to pose a significant challenge for hoteliers and travel-related businesses. A Morning Consult poll of 2,201 U.S. adults from Sept. 30 to Oct. 2 found that of the 66 percent of Americans planning to travel in the next four months, 25 percent are more likely, and 41 percent are equally likely to stay in a hotel this fall or winter compared to last year. The survey found 32 percent of Americans plan to travel overnight for Thanksgiving, and 34 percent for Christmas, matching last year's figures.

U.S. HOTEL PERFORMANCE declined in the third week of December compared to the previous week, according to CoStar. However, year-over-year comparisons were positive due to the Hanukkah calendar shift and a shortened business travel period between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Occupancy, RevPAR and ADR all saw week-over-week decreases. Occupancy fell to 48.9 percent for the week ending Dec. 21, down from 59.5 percent the previous week but up 11.4 percent year-over-year. ADR declined to $135.79 from $155.21, reflecting a 2.7 percent year-over-year increase. RevPAR dropped to $66.36 from $92.32 week-over-week but showed a 14.3 percent gain compared to the same period in 2023. Tampa, driven partly by hurricane recovery demand, led year-over-year growth among the top 25 markets, with occupancy up 37.9 percent to 71.5 percent and RevPAR up 63.8 percent to $110.51. New York City recorded the highest ADR increase, up 20.1 percent to $351.39.