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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."

TRAVELERS ACROSS THE world are increasingly opting for short-haul destinations and making last-minute bookings over planned trips, according to a report from OYO Rooms. With a steady rise in vaccination coverage, combined with the easing of restrictions across regions, travelers have embraced the spirit of travel wholeheartedly, especially during holidays and festive long weekends. Oyo's Mid Season Global Holiday Trends 2021 report said that Labor Day in U.S., Gandhi Jayanthi in India, Ascension Day in Europe and Summer Holidays in UK were the most popular holidays among travelers this year. According to the report, Labor Day, New Year's, Martin Luther King Jr Day, Memorial Day and Thanksgiving are America's most travelled holidays. Coastal hotspots such as Seattle and Miami have been wildly popular during public holidays, followed by California's Nevada City, Houston and Dallas, the report added. AAA Travel forecast that 53.4 million Americans would travel for Thanksgiving this year, and a survey from Motel 6 found that 82 percent of holiday travelers believe it is important to spend that time with loved ones. However, another survey from the American Hotel & Lodging Association found only 29 percent of Americans are likely to travel for Thanksgiving and 33 percent are likely to travel for Christmas.