5 Best U.S. Destinations For Summer 2023, According to AMEX Travel Data

5 Best U.S. Destinations For Summer 2023, According to AMEX Travel Data

American Express Travel recently unveiled its list of the most sought-after summer destinations in the United States for 2023. A recent survey found that 78% of participants consider leisure travel a key budget priority.

The ranking of cities in the report was determined by analyzing Card Members booking data. The findings come from an online survey conducted from Feb. 3 to Feb. 11, 2023. The survey included 8,000 travelers who have a household income of at least $70,000 and typically fly at least once a year.

“Nothing inspires curiosity more than planning a trip, and the destinations our Card Members are visiting this summer certainly fit the wanderlust bill,” Audrey Hendley, President of Amex Travel, tells CNBC.

“The top summer destinations offer something for every type of traveler.”

According to American Express Travel, pop culture plays a significant role in choosing a travel destination. 64% of respondents say that seeing a place in a TV show, news article or movie made them want to visit.

All age groups still rely heavily on word-of-mouth recommendations, but Generation Z and Millennials in particular are also heavily influenced by social media.

46% of Gen-Z and Millennials surveyed said Instagram encouraged them to visit a certain place, and 29% of all respondents said TikTok inspired them to visit certain places in 2023.

61% of younger travelers said they chose a destination because it appeared attractive in pictures and videos.

Top 5 trending summer travel destinations in the U.S. 2023

  • New York City, New York.
  • Las Vegas, Nevada.
  • Los Angeles, California.
  • Seattle, Washington.
  • San Francisco, California.

The most popular destination in the U.S. this summer is New York City.

It is the largest city in the nation and a hub for businesses in media, technology, entertainment and finance sectors.

The Empire State Building, Yankee Stadium, Central Park, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the famous Statue of Liberty are just some of the city’s major attractions.

The second city on the list, Las Vegas, Nevada, is a large resort city with a famous Strip of casinos, designer stores, fine restaurants, nightlife and entertainment.

According to World Atlas, Las Vegas, which is also known as the “Entertainment Capital of the World,” is one of the most popular destinations worldwide.

The Neon Museum, located off the Strip, and the Fountains of Bellagio are both very popular attractions.

Helicopter rides to the Grand Canyon and trips to Hoover Dam, located on the Nevada-Arizona border, are among the local attractions.

Securing the third position, Los Angeles, California concluded the top three rankings. This city, which happens to be the second-largest in the United States, boasts a plethora of renowned attractions including the Griffith Observatory, Universal Studios Hollywood, and Disneyland.