More than half of Americans – 56% – are not allowing COVID to stop them from traveling and spending Thanksgiving with their families and friends, according to Tripadvisor’s Thanksgiving Travel Index. This number represents a 14% decrease year-over-year, with Baby Boomers less likely to travel this year compared to last (29% vs. 51%).
“Despite COVID-19 concerns, the majority of Americans are still traveling this Thanksgiving,” said Christopher Hsi, consumer market research lead analyst for Tripadvisor. “The way in which consumers travel, however, will look very different from past years.”
Hsi said Americans are taking shorter trips with smaller groups of people for more intimate, close-knit gatherings. Many are taking day trips (24%) or spending one night at their destination, and 22% are staying in a hotel or vacation rental to practice social distancing from friends and family.
When it comes to how Americans plan to travel, road trips are more popular than plane flights. More than three-fourths (76%) will drive to their destination, and only 11% of Americans will fly to their Thanksgiving table, according to Tripadvisor.
The busiest departure day will be Thanksgiving Day (November 26), when 26% of travelers will hit the road. Friday, November 27, will be the busiest return day, with 31% of travelers heading home the day after Thanksgiving.
For the Thanksgiving holiday, Americans are continuing to avoid big cities, choosing warm weather and beach destinations in southern states instead. Recent Tripadvisor site data shows Key Largo, Fla., Sedona, Ariz., Key West, Fla., and Scottsdale, Ariz. have increased in popularity since last year’s holiday and are recovering from the pandemic much faster than other U.S. travel destinations.
In contrast, cities such as New York City, New Orleans, Los Angeles, and Nashville have decreased in popularity for Thanksgiving year-over-year. They are not recovering as quickly, according to Tripadvisor.
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