The Bahamas earns the top international destination spot while Orlando retains top spot for domestic travel
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (June 8, 2016) – Demand for travel to Europe and warm weather destinations remains strong, and AAA summer travel bookings show that the Bahamas and Italy are at the top of many international travelers’ itineraries this summer.
The top international summer destinations, based on AAA Carolinas bookings for travel June 1 through August 15, are:
- Bahamas
- Italy
- British Isles (England, Scotland, Wales)
- Dominican Republic
- Jamaica
- Ireland
- Germany
- France
- Spain
“Americans are flocking to warm weather destinations for the Summer and Europe remains very popular despite recent terrorism concerns,” said Dave Parsons, AAA Carolinas President and CEO.On May 31, the U.S. State Department issued a travel alert for Europe, citing the risk of potential terror attacks. Travel alerts are issued for short-term events that travelers should be aware of when planning to visit a country. This differs from a travel warning in which the State Department urges travelers to consider very carefully whether to visit a country or region at all.
Domestically, the great American road trip is back, with nearly 56 percent of Americans planning a drive vacation this summer, according to a recent AAA survey. The lowest summertime gas prices in 10 years are prompting Americans to drive in record numbers. More than half of U.S. adults say low gas prices are prompting them to hit the roads this year.AAA Carolinas’ top domestic summer travel destinations include:
- Orlando, FL
- Hawaii
- San Francisco, CA
- Las Vegas, NV
- New York City
- North Carolina
- Seattle, WA
- Boston, MA
- Wyoming
- Arizona
“Orlando consistently holds the top spot on AAA’s list of most-popular U.S. travel destinations, while southern California has climbed in the rankings,” said Parsons. “Several newcomers to the list indicate that Carolinians are looking forward to venturing out this summer and exploring diverse destinations from coast to coast.”Before setting out on a summer vacation, download the freeAAA Mobile appfor iPhone, iPad and Android. Travelers can use the app to map a route, find the lowest gas prices, access exclusive member discounts, find more than 58,000 AAA Approved and Diamond Rated hotels and restaurants, request AAA roadside assistance and more. For in-person travel planning, seek the expert advice of a trusted travel advisor, who can provide personalized service and first-hand destination knowledge to create a memorable vacation. For more information and to begin planning a trip, visitAAA.com/Travel.
AAA Carolinas, an affiliate of the American Automobile Association, is a not-for-profit organization that serves more than 1.9 million members and the public with travel, automobile and insurance services while being an advocate for the safety and security of all travelers.
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