Although travel restrictions, particularly international ones, remain extensive as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect so many, travelers do have hope that things will start to get back to normal later in 2021 and have been looking forward to trips that they will make as that occurs.
Of course, some are also traveling today, ensuring that they meet entrance requirements for their destinations before they go.
Kayak, one of the largest travel metasearch engines, provides an interesting look into where Americans are looking to go.
Every week, it compiles a list of which cities are being searched for the most by travelers as they compare to that same week the previous year. As expected, searches remain significantly down as compared to this time period in 2020, but some are less down than others.
5. San Juan, Puerto Rico
Interest in flying to San Juan, Puerto Rico, has only dropped 39% in the week of Jan. 10 as compared to the same week a year ago.
What attracts many Americans to San Juan are its beautiful architecture, amazing beaches and incredible climate.
During normal times, Americans can freely travel to this beautiful unincorporated territory of the United States; currently, they need to bring a negative COVID-19 test result or quarantine.
4. Honolulu
Honolulu is a domestic destination that also provides Americans with gorgeous winter weather and, of course, its Waikiki Beach is known worldwide.
Searches for trips to Hawaii’s capital city are down just 38% from a year ago. Some Americans are heading there now, observing its entrance requirements of a negative COVID-19 test or quarantining, while others are planning ahead to when those restrictions may be lifted.
Of course, many who head to Honolulu also spend much of their time elsewhere amongst Hawaii’s 137 islands.
3. Cancun, Mexico
It is understandable that winter destinations that offer spectacular beaches and warm weather would receive a lot of the focus in January, and Cancun, Mexico, is no exception; its search results are down just 38% from a year ago.
Although the official word is that non-essential travel to Mexico is restricted, it appears that the definition of “non-essential” has been loosely applied.
Those who do or will travel to Cancun once the pandemic has eased often head straight to its 14 miles of beaches.
2. Anchorage, Alaska
Interestingly, a place that many would not view as a winter destination has ranked high on this list; searches for flight options to Alaska’s largest city are down just 37% as compared to 2020.
This is presumably more so searches involving looking ahead to traveling there this summer; travelers paying for summertime flights now should make sure that their reservations include penalty-free cancelations.
Regardless, summer is when Anchorage’s combination of beauty and comfortable temperatures is amazing. However, take into account that non-Alaska residents traveling there now must arrive with a negative COVID-19 test result or purchase one on arrival and quarantine.
1. Istanbul
Istanbul tops this list with search results down just 32% as compared to this week a year ago. However, note that those looking to travel to Turkey now will need to bring a negative COVID-19 test result with them.
Regardless, this country’s largest city has always provided so many attractants to Americans, including its thousands of years of history and culture, its amazing nightlife and the ability to experience two continents, Europe and Asia, within its borders; they are separated by the Bosphorus straight.
Those who fly here direct generally take a Turkish Airlines flight from Chicago, Los Angeles or New York.