Europe's Popularity Strong With U.S. Travelers, AAA Survey Says
by Richard D'Ambrosio /Trevi Fountain in Rome, Italy. Photo: Wikipedia
Despite media coverage of terrorist events in Europe, Rome, London and Paris all cracked AAA’s top five most popular international destinations for summer travel.
All three cities moved up the AAA list this year versus last. Rome ranked at the top of AAA’s list, rising three spots from summer 2015 while London moved from third most popular to second. Both European cities displaced two Caribbean destinations, Cancun (1) and Punta Cana (2).
Paris proved its timeless popularity as a tourism destination. The city, which experienced two terrorist events, still moved up from seventh to fifth.
Vancouver made the greatest jump this year, rising from eighth to fourth. Calgary and Amsterdam replaced Nassau, the Bahamas, and Edinburgh, Scotland.
The top international summer destinations, based on AAA bookings for travel June 1 through August 15, are:
1. Rome, Italy (4)
2. London, England (3)
3. Cancun, Mexico (1)
4. Vancouver, Canada (8)
5. Paris, France (7)
6. Dublin, Ireland (6)
7. Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (2)
8. Montego Bay, Jamaica (5)
9. Calgary, Canada
10. Amsterdam, Netherlands
*Number in parentheses indicates summer 2015 ranking position.
“Europe remains very popular with American travelers despite recent terrorism concerns,” said Bill Sutherland, AAA senior vice president of travel and publishing, in a press release announcing the results. “A strong dollar, discounted pricing and a continued sense of resilience are motivating millions of Americans to venture across the pond for their summer vacations this year.”
AAA’s top domestic summer travel destinations include:
1. Orlando, Fla. (1)
2. Seattle, Wash.
3. Los Angeles/Anaheim, Calif. (7)
4. Honolulu, Hawaii (4)
5. Las Vegas, Nev.
6. Anchorage, Alaska
7. New York, N.Y.
8. Maui, Hawaii
9. San Francisco, Calif.
10. Denver, Colo.
*Number in parentheses indicates summer 2015 ranking position
