New York City and Cancun Lead Global Destination Demand as Travelers Plan Winter Getaways
NEEDHAM, Mass., Oct. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Tripadvisor, the world's largest travel guidance platform, today released initial data from its seasonal Winter Travel Index, revealing the top trending destinations for U.S. travelers during the upcoming winter season.
Top domestic U.S. travel destinations include a mix of cities with notable holiday footprints such as New York and Las Vegas alongside warm-weather spots in Florida and Hawaii. Internationally, hot spots in Mexico, Dominican Republic and Aruba continue to capture travelers' attention as they seek to escape the cold and hit the beach during peak snow season.
The platform data also reveals how destination demand shifts across key holiday travel periods, with travelers flocking to entertainment and cultural hubs like New York City, Las Vegas, and Orlando for Thanksgiving weekend, and opting for coastal and resort getaways like Key West and Honolulu for Christmas and New Year.
"Whether American travelers are heading toward the sun, with Cancun and the Caribbean continuing to dominate, or the holiday magic of cities like New York and Las Vegas, what's clear is that they're not just booking a destination, but looking for something to do when they get there, said Aarushi Kumar, Associate Director of Research and Insights, Tripadvisor Group. "Cultural tours, day trips and outdoor adventures are leading experience bookings on Tripadvisor, while craft classes and spa days are the fastest-growing newcomers. Whatever the vacation and wherever the destination, there's something to do for every traveler."
Winter Travel Index: 2026 Top Winter Destinations
Mexico and the Caribbean continue to dominate American searches, with Cancun maintaining its reign as the #1 international winter destination. Domestically, New York City claims the top spot, with holiday happenings in the city serving as a large draw, while Florida solidifies its status as a premier winter retreat with three destinations in the top 10.
Top 10 Domestic Destinations for U.S. Travelers Top 10 International Destinations for U.S.
Travelers
1. New York, New York
1. Cancun, Mexico
2. Las Vegas, Nevada
2. Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
3. Key West, Florida
3. Bavaro, Dominican Republic
4. Anaheim, California
4. Palm - Eagle Beach, Aruba
5. Fort Lauderdale, Florida
5. Paris, France
6. New Orleans, Louisiana
6. Grace Bay, Turks & Caicos
7. Honolulu, Hawaii
7. London, United Kingdom
8. Miami, Florida
8. Cap Cana, Dominican Republic
9. Chicago, Illinois
9. Oranjestad, Aruba
10. Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
10. Playa Mujeres, Mexico
Top 5 Fastest Growing Destinations Based on YoY Growth
Year-over-year search comparisons indicate that American travelers are expanding their horizons toward historic winter wonderlands, Caribbean retreats, and holiday extensions fit for the family. Quebec City, Canada leads international acceleration as travelers embrace authentic cold-weather cultural experiences, while coastal hideaways in the Dominican Republic and British Virgin Islands see surging interest. Domestically, extended family vacation hubs in Florida and California are experiencing the highest rates of year-over-year adoption.
Top 5 Trending Domestic Destinations Top 5 Trending International
Destinations
1. Lake Buena Vista, Florida
1. Quebec City, Canada
2. Bay Lake, Florida 2. El Cortecito, Dominican Republic
3. Sanibel Island, Florida 3. Virgin Gorda, British Virgin
Islands
4. Kapolei, Hawaii 4. Playa Avellana, Costa Rica
5. Carlsbad, California
5. Green Island, Jamaica
Holiday Travel Trends
Travel patterns indicate significant concentration around the Christmas and New Year holidays, creating distinct peak travel windows alongside high-value shoulder weeks for budget-conscious travelers.
Top 5 Trending Domestic Destinations for Thanksgiving Top 5 Trending International Destinations for
Thanksgiving
1. New York, New York
1. Cancun, Mexico
2. Las Vegas, Nevada
2. Paris, France
3. Orlando, Florida
3. Playa del Carmen, Mexico
4. New Orleans, Louisiana
4. London, United Kingdom
5. Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
5. Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Top 5 Domestic Trending Destinations for Christmas through New Years Top 5 International Trending Destinations for Christmas through
New Years
1. New York, New York
1. Cancun, Mexico
2. Orlando, Florida
2. Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
3. Las Vegas, Nevada
3. Playa del Carmen, Mexico
4. Key West, Florida
4. Bavaro, Dominican Republic
5. Anaheim, California
5. Paris, France
Winter Experience Trends and Activities
Winter travelers are prioritizing curated cultural and outdoor experiences on their vacations. Cultural tours, day trips, and outdoor adventure tours lead the most-booked bookable experiences on Tripadvisor, while hands-on craft classes and wellness activities represent the fastest-growing emerging experience categories.
Top Booked Experiences:
Top Emerging Experience Types:
- Craft Classes
- Day Spas
- Rentals
- Museums
- City Walking Tours
Methodology
Site behavioural data sourced from first-party traffic on the Tripadvisor platform for searches made by travellers in the UK between 1st August, 2026 and 31st October, 2026 for travel between 1st November 2026 and 28 February, 2027.
About Tripadvisor Inc.
Tripadvisor, the world's largest travel guidance platform*, helps millions of people each month** become better travelers, from planning to booking to taking a trip. Travelers across the globe use Tripadvisor's website and app to discover where to stay, what to do and where to eat based on guidance from those who have been there before. With more than a billion reviews and contributions, travelers turn to Tripadvisor to find deals on accommodations, book experiences, reserve tables at delicious restaurants and discover great places nearby.
Tripadvisor LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Tripadvisor, Inc. (Nasdaq: TRIP). The subsidiaries of Tripadvisor, Inc. own and operate a portfolio of travel media brands and businesses, operating under various websites and apps.
* Source: SimilarWeb, unique users de-duplicated monthly, September 2026
** Source: Tripadvisor internal log files
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SOURCE Tripadvisor
