Memorial Day Travel: Exploring the World Despite Rising Costs!

Memorial Day is just around the corner and millions of Americans are gearing up to take a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. According to recent data collected by AAA and S&P Global Market Intelligence, an estimated 42.3 million people will be traveling for Memorial Day this year – that’s a 10% increase over 2022, making it one of the busiest holiday travel periods in recent memory!

The most popular domestic destinations for Memorial include Orlando, New York City, Las Vegas, Florida’s cruise ports, Alaska’s cruise ports, Seattle, Denver, Boston and Canton Ohio (home of the Pro Football Hall of Fame!). International cities are also seeing a surge in bookins, with Rome, Paris, Dublin, London, Barcelona and Athens topping the list.

Although airfare costs are on the rise – AAA reports a 40% increase this year – it hasn’t deterred travelers from jet-setting abroad. International car rentals have seen an 80% jump over last year and both RushMyPassport and the International Driving Permit are experiencing unprecedented demand for their services.

We think it's great to see so many people taking advantage of the Memorial Day holiday and traveling around the world. With airfare costs on the rise, travelers are still finding ways to make their trips happen despite financial constraints. It is important that we continue to support our local businesses and international tourism destinations as they navigate a post-pandemic world.