Here is everything you will find in this overview:

Map of Italy
Regions and Cities
Natural Features
Tourist Attractions
Travel Tips
Cultural Insights
Governance and Economics

Map of Italy

Credit: tripstodiscover.com

This high-resolution static map is free to download and print for educational or similar purposes. Trips to Discover built this map using data from © Mapbox and © OpenStreetMap and their sources. To learn more, visit Mapbox and OpenStreetMap. If you re-publish this map online or in print, you must credit and link (if online) to Trips to Discover as the source. Contact noah@strivemedia.com to improve this map.

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We undertook a detailed two-part investigation, including a statistical and a qualitative review sentiment analysis, to rank and identify the most cherished experiences and top-praised amenities that set these resorts apart. Our findings also reveal the common critiques guests have about these vacation paradises.

Join us on this luxurious journey as we showcase the unmatched offerings of these elite vacation spots.

These jump links breakdown everything you will learn on this page:

Categories: Top All-Inclusive Resorts by Type
Understanding All-Inclusives: Definition & Features
The Elite 25: Best All-Inclusive Resorts Globally
Visual Guide: Interactive Map & Table of Top Resorts
Research Process: Our Methodology & Approach

Categories: Top All-Inclusive Resorts by Type

Best Overall: Excellence Playa Mujeres, Mexico
Best Adults Only: Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun, Mexico
Best Luxury: Secrets Cap Cana Resort & Spa, Dominican Republic
Best Family-Friendly: Moon Palace The Grand – Cancun, Mexico
Best Adventure/Sport: Voyage Belek Golf & Spa, Turkey
Best Couples: Paradisus Palma Real Golf & Spa Resort, Dominican Republic
Best Wellness: Akumal Bay Beach & Wellness Resort, Mexico

Understanding All-Inclusives: Definition & Features

What is an All-Inclusive Resort? Also sometimes called a resort with “everything included,” or referenced by the ellipsis “all-inclusive(s),” these destinations try to offer everything you might want on a vacation, typically in one complex. You will find a range of onsite amenities at each resort. According to the EHL Hospitality Business School in Switzerland, most all-inclusive resorts are like full-service resorts, including multiple onsite restaurants, exercise spaces, spas and meeting places and are frequently luxurious properties. All-inclusives bundle everything into one “package” or bill.

What Does All-Inclusive Mean? According to EHL, the main difference between full-service and all-inclusive resorts is how you pay for them. With an all-inclusive resort package, your room, unlimited food and most drinks, services, amenities, gratuities and all the extras are bundled together in one bill instead of separate bills for all the amenities, experiences, activities, meals, spas and more. One of the main benefits of selecting an all-inclusive package is knowing what you will spend at the resort without being surprised by all the added-up charges during your stay.

What Countries Have All-Inclusives? We found a total of 2,163 all-inclusive resorts across 77 countries worldwide. Egypt tops the list with 265 resorts, followed by Mexico with 237, Turkey with 215, Spain with 103, and Greece with 86. Our analysis shows that Mexico has the most top-rated all-inclusive resorts worldwide, with 15 on our top 25 list. Turkey has two best globally. The Dominican Republic, on the other hand, may only rank #18 for the most all-inclusive resorts globally, but it has eight of the world’s best ones.

The Elite 25: Best All-Inclusive Resorts Globally

We used two types of analysis to evaluate all-inclusive resorts: a statistical analysis and a qualitative review sentiment analysis. The statistical analysis counts and rates customer reviews from Tripadvisor to calculate a Customer Review Score. On the other hand, the qualitative review sentiment analysis extracts customer feelings, emotions, and nuanced points of view from reviews with the highest Customer Review Scores through natural language processing. Together, these analyses provide a comprehensive understanding of customer satisfaction and a holistic evaluation of the highest-rated resorts worldwide.

Visual Guide: Interactive Map & Table of Top Resorts

Credit: Trips to Discover

Research Process: Our Methodology & Approach

Independent: We conduct our research independently to recommend the best destinations using data analysis. Our top recommendations are based solely on data extraction and a ranking formula. Our research is editorially independent, but we may earn a commission for any purchases made through links on this page.

Data Source: We conducted a comprehensive search for all-inclusive resorts worldwide, one country at a time, by using the property type filter on Tripadvisor and selecting only all-inclusive resorts. Out of the 195 countries globally, we found that 77 countries have all-inclusive resorts for 2,163 all-inclusive resorts worldwide. We sought to see which resorts are statistically objectively the favorites among those who stay there.

Data Extraction: We used Web Scraper, a data extraction tool, to extract review data for the 2,163 all-inclusive resorts on Tripadvisor. We pulled all review data between 9/18/23 and 9/19/23.

Statistical Analysis: We based these rankings on an analysis of the 2,163 resorts. Our team has developed a unique algorithm to rank hospitality establishments called the Customer Review Score. The score considers the number of Tripadvisor reviews and the average review score for each location. The more reviews a resort has, the higher it will typically rank. However, to avoid over-emphasizing the impact of wildly high review counts, the algorithm utilizes an exponential function, giving diminishing returns for higher review counts. The algorithm thus balances review frequency with review quality. The final scores are presented on a 5-point scale.

Qualitative Review Sentiment Analysis: We take customer reviews seriously at Trips to Discover. To gather the most recent 100 customer reviews for each resort from Tripadvisor, we used Outscrapper, a reliable data-scrapping tool. We used ChatGPT Advanced Data Analysis for qualitative review sentiment analysis, which knows how to write and execute Python code and can work with file uploads. Qualitative sentiment analysis is a method that uses machine learning, statistics, and natural language processing (NLP) to understand the underlying parts of guest emotions on a macro scale.

Human Authored: Our qualitative analysis focused on different perspectives, including what distinguishes the location for customers, shared perceived advantages and disadvantages for patrons, and crucial decision-making factors for those who choose to stay there. To ensure accuracy, we meticulously cross-checked the sentiment analysis output against the raw review data. We wrote each resort’s final customer review summaries (the “what guests are saying” section) based on the information from the fact-checked AI-generated qualitative review sentiment analysis.

Replicability: All the data used for this project is publicly available for study replication. The 2,163 resorts used in this analysis are on Tripadvisor with the latest customer reviews, where you can identify review scores, counts and more!

Data: You can download the data behind our research here in Google Sheets. It includes all 2163 resorts used in the analysis with direct links to their Tripadvisor pages. You will also find all the review tallies, ratings and Customer Review Scores for these resorts. This workbook also contains all 2,500 resort review samples used for our sentiment analysis in that book. We have removed all proprietary calculations from the books. You can view the raw qualitative sentiment analysis outputs based on these 2,500 reviews here in Google Docs; however, We are choosing to withhold the valuable and meticulously crafted prompts used to create these analyses. Please feel free to use or share this data with whoever may find this helpful — we ask that your purposes be noncommercial and that you link back to this page so its contributors can receive proper credit for their work.

Contact: The ranking algorithm is proprietary, but if you want to build a similar project or have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact noah@strivemedia.com, and he can walk you through the process.

Here is everything you will find in this overview:

• South America Map
• Countries and Capitals
• Major Cities
• Tourist Attractions
• Travel Tips
• Cultural Insights
• Economic Overview
• Local Governance and Politics

South America Map

This high-resolution static map is free to download and print for educational or similar purposes. Trips to Discover built this map using data from © Mapbox and © OpenStreetMap and their sources. To learn more, visit Mapbox and OpenStreetMap. If you re-publish this map online or in print, you must credit and link (if online) to Trips to Discover as the source. Contact noah@strivemedia.com to improve this map.

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But we fall for fall leaf by leaf, and the fall foliage spectacle improvisationally changes its cue every year. Arrive too early, and you only catch the opening foliage act; too late, and you miss the main peak color event.

To help you achieve your amber aspirations, maple marvels, and rustic reveries, I analyzed a trove of tree data provided by the USA National Phenology Network and the many participants contributing to its “Nature’s Notebook” program.

I crunched the numbers on 60,518 annual tree life cycle observations — or phenophase records, for you botany buffs — covering 305 deciduous tree species. That’s a decade’s worth of data, spanning 2,561 observational sites across the U.S., all to serve you the most accurate, tailored-to-your-needs foliage forecast for 2023! I also designated a few states as “Leaf Leaders” for providing some of the best places to see fall colors in the U.S.

Read on or select a jump link to discover when the leaves in your neck of the woods will put on their grandest show of the year.

• Explore the Map: Peak Foliage by Region
• View the Table: State-by-State Peak Foliage
• U.S. Foliage Timelines by Region
• Understand Our Methodology

Credit: Trips to Discover

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Methodology

Independent: My data analysis research is conducted with independence and impartiality to ensure the integrity of the findings. My research is editorially independent, but Trips to Discover may earn a commission for any purchases made through links on this page.

Raw Data Source: USA National Phenology Network. 2023. Plant and Animal Phenology Data. Data type: Individual Phenometrics. 1/1/2012-12/31/2022 for Region: 71.538800°, -66.934570° (UR); 24.396308°, 172.558333° (LL) USA-NPN, Tucson, Arizona, USA. Data set accessed 9/5/23 at http://doi.org/10.5066/F78S4N1V

Collection: I crafted a tailored dataset using the USA-NPN, featuring 60,518 tree status phenophase observations gathered from a span of a decade. These observations come from 2,561 unique sites across the United States and cover 305 species of deciduous trees. My collection focused on two key phenophase classes: “colored leaves” and “falling leaves.”

Cleaning: I narrowed the range of tree status observations to focus specifically on core U.S. fall foliage from August 1 through November 30 of each year. I refined the original dataset to include only sites within the contiguous U.S. I generated a unique Key ID for each observation by combining the site ID, latitude, longitude, state, common tree name, individual ID, and observation year information. I used this Key ID to merge the “colored leaves” and “falling leaves” phenophase observations into pairs.

Analysis: After an initial examination of over 30,000 paired records, I found that “peak fall foliage” generally falls between the first date leaves start to drop (the initial “falling leaves” date) and the date the last leaf changes color (the final “colored leaves” date). This intersection of phenophases yields the most leaves in vibrant hues still clinging to the trees, also known as peak foliage. I calculated the average date range for peak foliage across the 2,561 observation sites, spanning ten years of data. I then aggregated these site-level averages at the state level. I grouped states into eight regions, determined by geographical proximity and comparable peak foliage dates, with the aid of GPT-4 technology. The “Leaf Leader” states were designated based on my subjective evaluation.

Dates: I then derived four critical metrics for each of the eight regions:

1. Foliage Start: Average of states’ “falling leaves” start dates in a region.
2. Peak Start: The earliest peak foliage midpoint in a regional group.
3. Peak End: The last peak foliage midpoint in a regional group.
4. Foliage End: Average of states’ last “colored leaves” record date in a region.

Replicability: All raw data is publicly available. For questions, email noah@tripstodiscover.com. [Google Sheets link] contains the cleaned data and calculations minus proprietary info and raw data. Please credit if sharing.

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Compared to the cost of other everyday items, the price of luggage can feel unreasonable. However, delving into the factors determining luggage prices, like choice material, innovative design and brand reputation, reveals why prices can be so steep. Every detail adds to the cost, from zipper construction to multiple handles, wheels, expanding compartments, and technological innovations.

A brand history that signals quality, durability and style also significantly adds to the premium on certain luggage tags. But is expensive luggage worth the premium?

Knowing the average luggage cost can help inform your purchasing decisions, especially when weighing whether to spring for that top-tier piece. Our in-depth examination of luggage pricing reveals how much suitcases cost on average, providing the insights you need to make the best decision based on your travel style.

Here is a breakdown of everything you will learn on this page:

• What Determines Luggage Prices?
  • Luggage Materials
  • Brand Reputation
• Is the Price Right for Your Luggage?
  • Is Expensive Luggage Worth it?
  • How Much is a Suitcase?

However, recognizing and naming the atmospheric conditions that create these illusions and understanding their definitions can be like rain capturing dust in the air, bringing it to settle on the ground. As the illusionary conditions fade with knowledge, shifting focus from the horizon reveals an oasis of funding opportunities present all along.

And now, for some jargon-clearing rain and more myth-dispelling wisdom from award-winning travel influencer and expert behind the travel and lifestyle brand Packs Light — Gabby Beckford.

Here is everything you will learn on this page:

• Travel Grants, Scholarships, Fellowships — Defined
• Travel Funding Opportunities
• Travel Funding Myths and Misconceptions
• Travel Cost Myths and Misconceptions

You love your pet; you love to travel — I don’t have to tell you these two passions can clash. I’ve been there, renting the only pet-friendly hotel in town because it’s the only option, certainly not out of appeal. Of course, it’s miles from the closest dog park. Finding a pet-friendly eatery nearby that you also want to eat at? Forget about it!

In a country like the U.S., seemingly dominated by travel enthusiasts and pet lovers alike, those of us who travel with our four-legged companions often find ourselves frustrated by the limited availability of establishments that accept pets nationwide.

More to Read: Top 15 Pet-Friendly Resorts in the U.S.

Suppose instead of boarding your pup, you decide to find the most pet-friendly city in the U.S. for your next travel destination — that’s a dedicated pet parent right there. But how to measure “friendliness?”

Alas, as with all great burning abstract questions — a data-driven approach can help us find the answer. Even better, working like a dog, I found the cities for you!

Here are some jump links to help you navigate this page:

• Map: Top 10 Pet-Friendly Cities in the US to Visit
• Roster: Top 10 Pet-Friendly Cities in the US to Visit
• Table: Top 20 Pet-Friendly Cities in the US to Visit
• Methodology

Roster: Top 10 Pet-Friendly Cities in the US to Visit

By harnessing data from the national tourism office, prioritizing U.S. tourist hotspots, manually collecting pet-friendly hotel, Airbnb, restaurant, park and store data and applying a 13-metric statistical analysis, I could gauge the overall pet-friendliness for the 100 most visited U.S. cities — not to say I’m putting on the dog or anything.

Additionally, I measured the “acceptance” of local populations toward traveling pets, the concentration of pet-friendly establishments in each city, and pet-friendly lodging costs. Everything from highly-rated hotels to off-leash dog parks went into my normalized, weighted, indexed, logarithmically transformed scoring system that answers the question, “Which U.S. cities roll out the red carpet for our beloved four-legged companions?”

This question was like herding dogs, but the result? A travel destination where it’s guaranteed to be raining cats and dogs. (If your dog doesn’t find this “punny,” I suggest you stop reading now.)

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Methodology

Independence: I conducted this research impartially, but we may earn commissions from links on this page.

Selection Criteria: Cities were selected based on the top 100 U.S. MSA destinations for overseas tourists using data from the National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO) Survey of International Air Travelers (SIAT) for Q2 2022-Q1 2023.

Data Points:

1. Pet-Friendly Hotels (Booking.com): Data collected during 7/25/23-7/26/23 MDT, focusing on total pet-friendly locations and those with 8/10+ reviews.
2. Pet-Friendly Airbnb Rentals (Airbnb): Data extracted between 11 AM-12:25 PM 7/27/23. Filters included entire places, Superhosts, and essential amenities. Metrics included total locations and average pricing.
3. Pet-Friendly Restaurants (Tripadvisor): Filtered for establishments that have a dog-friendly feature.
4. Off-Leash Dog Parks & Stores (BringFido): Only within city limits.

Analysis:

• Data Normalization: Pet-friendly amenities were normalized using per capita and square mile calculations.
• Logarithmic Transformation: A logarithmic transformation was applied to the data to counteract city size and population biases, ensuring fair comparisons across cities of different scales.

Scoring:

• Pet Acceptance Level: Captures a city’s acceptance of pets; establishments per capita.
• Pet Density Index: Gauges concentration of pet-friendly spots; establishments per sq mile.
• Pet-Friendly City Score: Combines the two scores above for a comprehensive view.
  • Airbnb Prices: Factored into the final score without per capita/square mile calculations. Weighed at 13.5%.
• Final Weights: I weighed scores to a 10-point system. Key metrics include Hotels (15.14%), Highly-Rated Hotels (12.98%), Airbnbs (15.14%), Restaurants (15.14%), Dog Parks (15.14%), Pet-Friendly Stores (12.98%), and Airbnb Price (13.50%).

Replicability: All raw data is publicly available. For questions, email noah@tripstodiscover.com. [Google Sheets link] contains the gathered data and calculations minus proprietary info. Please credit if sharing.

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TSA PreCheck and Global Entry allow you to move more quickly through the airport but in different ways. These programs offer expedited security and customs processing at U.S. airports. If you’ve spotted a Global Entry kiosk at a customs checkpoint or noticed the notably shorter PreCheck queue at TSA security stations, you’re likely already somewhat acquainted with these memberships.

For anyone who has endured lengthy waits in security or customs lines, the appeal of joining one of these programs becomes increasingly apparent. This piece will clarify what each of these programs entails, highlight membership benefits, detail the associated process and costs, and guide you in discerning which (or both) aligns best with your needs!

Here is everything you will find on this page:

• What is TSA PreCheck?
• What is Global Entry?
• Global Entry Vs. TSA PreCheck

Allow us to set the record straight surrounding misconceptions about Puerto Rico’s status within the U.S., particularly regarding tourism. We address your most frequently Googled questions and provide clear answers to this misunderstood topic. Here are the points we’ll cover to make your visit to the island as smooth as possible:

• Is Puerto Rico a Domestic or International Flight?
• Do You Need a Passport to Go to Puerto Rico?
• How Long is the Flight to Puerto Rico?
• Do You Go Through Customs in Puerto Rico?

Allow me to field your questions as the data journalist for a travel discovery site who has dedicated extensive time over the past four months, investing well over 100 hours in experimenting with generative AI and its direct intersections with the travel industry. This firsthand experience has uniquely positioned me to address your most pressing concerns and questions about integrating generative AI in travel planning. More importantly, I’ll help you decide if generative AI is the right tool for finding your next travel inspiration.

Using the search engine optimization (SEO) suite, Ahrefs, Google tools and, of course, GPT-4 with web browsing capabilities, I surfaced the most commonly searched questions surrounding the use of AI in travel planning.

Here’s a breakdown of everything you will find answered on this page. Let’s dive in!

• How Does AI-Based Travel Planning Work?
• Is AI Travel Planning Reliable and Accurate?
• How Can AI Enhance the Travel Experience?
• What are the Risks of Using AI to Plan Travel?
• Can I Use AI or GPT to Plan a Vacation?
• Is My Data Secure with AI Travel Planners?
• Is AI Safe for Travel Booking?
• What are the Best AI Travel Itinerary Planners?
• Can AI Replace Human Travel Agents?
• Is AI the Future of the Travel Industry? (Some AI humor)

Also, check out my latest piece to gain in-depth insights into the revolutionary impact of AI on the entire realm of the travel industry beyond just travel planning.

This modestly priced adventure was Cook’s opening act in the travel sector he would revolutionize, setting the stage for the global phenomenon that is the tourism industry today.

Similarly, the groundbreaking Artificial Intelligence (AI) model, GPT-4, developed by OpenAI, holds the potential to script a parallel transformation of the travel sector. Just as Cook pioneered hundreds on an unprecedented journey, so too does AI have the capacity to guide travelers into new realms of exploration.

Online travel platforms utilize GPT-4 to create custom travel itineraries, locate deals, and offer destination insights, heralding a new AI-driven travel revolution reminiscent of Cook’s industry-transforming work during the Industrial Revolution. This disruption to traditional norms and total reshaping of travel experiences could redefine tourism entirely, suggesting a future in which the industry isn’t just influenced but wholly defined by AI.

This article provides an overview of the potential impact of AI in the travel industry. Here is a breakdown of everything you will learn on this page:

• AI in the Context of Travel
• AI Integrates Into Your Travels
• AI Transforms Your Travel Planning
• AI and Your Concerns as a Traveler
• AI is Planning Your Travel Anyway

Also, check out my latest AI travel planning FAQ to see if using AI to plan your next trip is a good idea.

Phoenix, Arizona, far from the bustling culinary capitals of New York or San Francisco, is the unexpected location of a rising star in fine dining. Nestled in the mesmerizing desert landscapes, Kai Restaurant, a beacon of gastronomic brilliance, is breaking boundaries, earning high praise and prestigious recognition in a groundbreaking study of the nation’s finest dining establishments.

Kai Restaurant, elegantly set in the tranquil backdrop of Wild Horse Pass, is lauded by experts for its seamless fusion of Native American traditions with international culinary influences.

This haven of culinary excellence, recognized with 5-Star honors from Forbes Travel Guide and a perfect Five-Diamond rating from the American Automobile Association (AAA), has defied expectations, securing its spot among the top ten award-winning dining establishments in the United States.

“In form and function, Kai Restaurant’s menu is unlike any you’ve seen before,” according to Forbes.

Part of a more extensive study analyzing top-rated Michelin Guide and Forbes star-rated and AAA Diamond award winners, Kai Restaurant scored a remarkable 4.71 out of 5 Customer Review Score based on a statistically weighted analysis of over 800 reviews. The weighted analysis considers the review score and the total number of reviews for each restaurant on Google and TripAdvisor. Even when Kai was subject to a weighted analysis, its slender review tally is so overwhelmingly positive that it outshines countless award-winning restaurants with a significantly higher number of reviews. Kai’s unparalleled review score propelled it to the crème de la crème of Michelin, Forbes, and AAA award-winning restaurants.

Credit: Kai

The second analysis in our more extensive study was a qualitative review sentiment analysis conducted by using natural language processing to analyze customer reviews and explore the feelings, emotions and nuanced points of view expressed by patrons of Kai Restaurant. This analysis provides valuable insights into the overall sensation surrounding the restaurant’s dining experiences.

The sentiment analysis of Kai’s latest reviews reveals a tapestry of effusive praise. Guests describe their experiences as “exceptional” and “one-of-a-kind,” highlighting the restaurant’s ability to captivate and enthrall. Patrons describe the harmonious and intimate ambiance, set against the backdrop of Wild Horse Pass, as adding an extra layer of enchantment to every meal. Even though reservations can be tricky, according to the analysis, Kai’s impeccable, exquisitely plated and presented creations continue to command spotlights from culinary experts and customers alike.

In a world where culinary excellence often seems synonymous with bustling metropolises, Kai Restaurant in Phoenix, Arizona, stands tall as a testament to the power of exceptional cuisine in unexpected places. By seamlessly blending Native American traditions with global inspirations, Kai has crafted a dining experience that transcends geographical boundaries and leaves a lasting impression on all who enjoy dining there. So, if you find yourself in the heart of the desert, prepare to be whisked away on a gastronomic adventure like no other at Kai Restaurant.

Editor’s Note: Kai will be closed during the Summer of 2023 from July 2nd through August 15th. 
Website: Kai Restaurant
Address: 5594 W Wild Horse Pass Blvd., Phoenix, AZ 85048

Discover the best award-winning U.S. restaurants that captivate culinary experts and customers alike. In a comprehensive two-part analysis of 64 highest-ranking restaurants recognized by the Michelin Guide, Forbes Travel Guide, and American Automobile Association (AAA) Diamond Awards, I bring you the country’s 10 highest customer-rated award-winning restaurants.

Through statistical and qualitative review sentiment analysis, I uncovered the most exalted experiences and highest-praised features that set these restaurants apart. My investigation even found the most commonly leveled criticisms of these gastronomic behemoths. Join me in delving into this epicurean journey as we explore the culinary prowess behind these crowned dining destinations.

Here is everything you will learn on this page:

• Fun Facts: Award-Winning Restaurants
• Roster: The 10 Best U.S. Award-Winning Restaurants
• Visualizations: The Best U.S. Michelin, Forbes, and AAA Restaurants
• Methodology

Fun Facts: Award-Winning Restaurants

• Gourmet Grand Slam: 10 U.S. restaurants scored what I call a Gourmet Grand Slam 🏆 for acing all three guides; four are also fan favorites!
• Michelin Magic: Michelin Star restaurants top all other award-winning gastronomies, clinching the highest ratings, averaging 4.5 on TripAdvisor and Google.
• Full House: All ten restaurants are AAA Diamonds, seven are Forbes Star-Rated, and just four are Michelin-Starred.
• King California: California is home to 23% of all U.S. Michelin, Forbes, and AAA top-rated restaurants, surpassing New York by two establishments.
• Chef Star Power: Charleston restaurant’s Chef Cindy Wolf has the highest Chef Star Power, with the most mentions by name in customer reviews.
• Happiest Customers: Victoria & Albert’s customers are most content, placing #1 in customer ratings and boasting an unmatched proportion of positive reviews.
• Consistently Excellent: #1 for review count, Le Bernardin, with 6,354 Google and TripAdvisor reviews, boasts a 4.72 review score demonstrating supreme consistency.

Roster: The 10 Best U.S. Award-Winning Restaurants

This article utilizes two types of analysis to evaluate 3-Star Michelin, Five-Star Forbes, and AAA Five-Diamond-designated restaurants — a statistical and qualitative review sentiment analysis. The statistical analysis examines customer review counts and ratings from Google and TripAdvisor to calculate a weighted score I call the Customer Review Score. On the other hand, the qualitative review sentiment analysis of the restaurants with the highest Customer Review Scores extracts feelings, emotions, and nuanced points of view from customer reviews through natural language processing. Combined, these two analyses provide a powerful understanding of customer satisfaction and a holistic evaluation of the highest-rated establishments in the country.

While being featured on multiple guides did not grant restaurants additional points, we acknowledge and celebrate those that appear on Michelin, Forbes, and AAA guides simultaneously by recognizing them as a Gourmet Grand Slam 🏆.

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Visualizations: The Best U.S. Michelin, Forbes, and AAA-Rated Restaurants

Here is a table and a map of the ten highest customer-rated award-winning restaurants in the U.S.

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Methodology

Independent: My data analysis research is conducted with independence and impartiality to ensure the integrity of the findings. My research is editorially independent, but Trips to Discover may earn a commission for any purchases made through links on this page.

Preliminary Research: I gathered a list of restaurants in the U.S. from the 2023 AAA Five Diamond Restaurant Awards list, the 2023 Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Restaurant Award Winners, and the 2023 list of 3-Star Michelin Restaurants. Between all three award systems, 64 unique restaurants remained. I sought to explore which of these restaurants, acknowledged by experts as the best, are the favorites among customers who dine there.

Data Extraction: These rankings are based on an analysis of 87,171 restaurant reviews for the 64 restaurants between Google and TripAdvisor. Google and TripAdvisor review scores and rating counts for all 64 restaurants were collected on 5/11/23 (4:05-4:43 PM MT) and 5/15/23 (10:05-10:30 AM MT), respectively. At the same time, I extracted the food, service, value, and atmosphere ratings on TripAdvisor and factored into my analysis.

Statistical Analysis Techniques: I used a proprietary ranking formula that, at its core, uses a weighted score analysis using a Bayesian average rating method to weigh each restaurant’s number of TripAdvisor and Google reviews against its average TripAdvisor and Google score separately. I call this the Lox Score in honor of the study it was first created for. We collected and utilized over 87,000 reviews between the 64 restaurants. Scores are on a 5-point scale. I then combined the TripAdvisor (40%) and Google (40%) Lox Scores with the TripAdvisor food (11%), service (3%), value (3%), and atmosphere (3%) scores into one weighted average “Customer Review Score” (CRS) also on a 5-point scale. My rankings are based on the ten restaurants, out of 64 total, with the highest CRS scores.

Qualitative Review Sentiment Analysis: Individual restaurant descriptions were created through qualitative review sentiment analysis using text mining methods and natural language processing. I used Outscrapper, a data-scrapping tool, to gather the most recent 50 customer reviews for each restaurant from Google and TripAdvisor. I used GPT-4 to conduct a qualitative review sentiment analysis of the 50 latest reviews for each restaurant focusing on various perspectives such as what sets the restaurant apart for customers, shared benefits and drawbacks for patrons, and essential decision-making factors for those who choose to dine there. All AI-generated analyses were thoroughly cross-checked for accuracy. Then I wrote the ultimate qualitative summary for each restaurant based on the information contained in the AI-generated qualitative review sentiment analysis.

Replicability: All the data used for this project is publicly available for study replication. The 64 restaurants are on the AAA, Forbes, and Michelin websites. All 64 restaurants are located on Google Maps and TripAdvisor, where you can identify review scores, counts and food, service, value and atmosphere ratings.

Contact Us: If you need assistance building a similar project or have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me at noah@tripstodiscover.com, and I can walk you through the process.

Data: You can download the data behind my analysis, including all 64 Michelin, AAA, or Forbes top-rated restaurants with their Google and TripAdvisor review scores and numbers at the time of this analysis, including our statistical calculations here in Google Sheets. This workbook also contains the other six Gourmet Grand Slams (top-rated by Michelin, Forbes, and AAA). You will additionally find the 500 restaurant review samples used for my sentiment analysis in that workbook without personally identifying information. I have also removed all proprietary calculations from the books. You can view the raw GPT qualitative sentiment analysis based on these 500 reviews here in Google Docs; however, I am choosing to withhold the valuable and meticulously crafted GPT prompts used to create these analyses. Please feel free to use or share this data with whoever may find this helpful — I ask that your purposes are noncommercial and that you link back to this page so I can receive proper credit for my work.

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The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has just unveiled its highly anticipated 2022 Global Market Report, revealing some fascinating insights into the future of the cruise industry post-COVID-19. This comprehensive report covers 95% of the global cruise market and is a treasure trove of valuable information, shedding light on everything from passenger volumes to trip durations, origins, and destinations.

Trips to Discover plotted the numbers and located the gems within! Whether you’re a seasoned cruiser or a curious traveler eager to explore the world’s oceans, this analysis is an absolute must-read. Dive in and discover the exciting new horizons that await you!

Summary of Our Key Findings:

1. Cruise passenger numbers skyrocketed by 325% in 2022 over 2021 but are still nearly a third lower than pre-pandemic levels.
2. Longer cruises were more popular in 2022, with the share of 8-13 day trips up by 50% and two-week cruise passengers up eightfold.
3. The Australian, New Zealand, and Pacific region saw the most impressive passenger origin and destination growth in 2022.
4. The Caribbean, Bahamas, and Bermuda welcomed almost half of all cruise passengers last year, up from a third in pre-pandemic times.
5. North American cruise tourism in Alaska and Asia/China fully recovered in 2022, surpassing 2019 visitor levels.

Passenger Totals and Schedules

Last year, more than 20 million people worldwide took a cruise, marking a whopping 325% increase from the previous year. While this is undoubtedly good news for the cruise industry, it’s important to note that these numbers are still down by almost a third from pre-pandemic levels. However, with all member cruise ships back on the water as of 2022, there’s plenty of optimism in the industry that we’ll continue to see growth in the coming years.

According to a recent survey by the CLIA, more people are planning cruises now than in 2019 — Indicating a solid resurgence in demand. The latest state of the industry forecast predicts a 6% rise in global cruise passengers for 2023 over 2019, with cruise passenger totals predicted to hit 31.5 million this year. If the forecast holds, the industry is poised to fully recover in 2023.

Passengers enjoyed more extended cruise vacations last year over 2021 as fears of the pandemic alleviated. The share of short cruises lasting up to three days saw a significant drop in popularity, while 8-13 day cruises became much more popular, growing by 50%. Two-week cruises were also a hit, sailing over eight times the number of passengers in 2021. Overall, the average passenger spent a week at sea.

However, average cruise lengths still reflected some impact from the pandemic last year. There were fewer cruises lasting over 15 days compared to 2019, suggesting some passengers were hesitant to spend extended periods at sea. Instead, there was a higher demand for week-long cruises.

Passenger Origins

We uncovered fascinating insights in the report about where cruise passengers were traveling from last year. Every globally tracked region sent more passengers aboard cruises in 2022 over 2021, averaging an 836% passenger increase. The top three grouped areas for passenger origin growth last year were:

1. Australia, New Zealand and Pacific: Up 6629%
2. Middle East and Arabia: Up 577%
3. North America: Up 468%

While only at a quarter of the passenger volume in 2022 over 2019, the Australian, New Zealand, and Pacific group still sailed nearly half a million passengers last year. In addition to placing #1 for growth, this market came in #4 as the most significant source of cruise passengers in 2022 globally. Its considerable increase in cruise ship departures last year was due to Australia lifting a two-year ban on cruises in April 2022.

North America experienced the largest passenger growth last year in absolute totals. Ten million more North Americans set sail in 2022 than the previous year, with over 90% of these passengers coming from the U.S. For perspective, that increase alone is bigger than the rest of the world’s entire passenger count last year.

Only one region cast off more passengers in 2022 than in 2019, rebounding far past the pandemic’s decline. The Middle East and the Arabian market grew 38%, from just over 100 thousand passengers in 2019 to about 150 thousand last year.

Passenger Arrivals

In addition to analyzing passenger origins last year, we unearthed exciting insights from CLIA’s report into passenger destinations as well. In 2022, cruise tourists flocked to every tracked destination in greater numbers than the previous year. On average, there were over five times more passenger arrivals in 2022. The locations with the most significant increase in cruise arrivals were:

1. Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Region: Up 3917%
2. Alaska: Up 860%
3. Transatlantic & World Cruises: Up 707%
4. Africa and Middle East: Up 595%
5. North America West Coast, Mexico, California and Pacific Coast: Up 439%

Alaska had trouble relaunching its cruises in 2021 because of an old law requiring ships to visit a foreign port when traveling between states. Cruises to Alaska stopped in Canada to meet this requirement, but Canada banned cruises until 2022. Congress passed the Alaska Tourism Restoration Act in May 2021, allowing ships to sail directly to Alaska without stopping in Canada. The passage of this act is the reason for Alaska’s extraordinary 860% growth in 2022.

Last year, cruises to the Caribbean, Bahamas and Bermuda were still down by 25% compared to 2019. However, the region welcomed almost half of all cruise ships worldwide, far more than in pre-pandemic times when it only claimed a third of international arrivals. However, just like in pre-pandemic times, the U.S. remained the most significant source (93%) of passengers destined for this region.

The Caribbean, Bahamas and Bermuda also sailed past global passenger recovery averages, capturing nearly half of the world’s growth last year. This growth was to some extent because there were fewer international destination options due to travel restrictions. Nevertheless, in terms of total passenger arrivals, the region recovered more passengers than every other restriction-free region, welcoming over 7 million more passengers in 2022 than the year before.

Passenger Demographics

We analyzed the report’s details on the backgrounds and types of individuals who took cruises last year. At age 46 and sailing just under a week per cruise, the North American passenger sat in the middle of the global pack in terms of age and average cruise length. The pandemic hardly shifted the demographics of the typical North American passenger, with no reportable differences.

On the other hand, the pandemic shook up the demographics of the Asian market. At an average age of 40, Asians represented the youngest cruise passengers globally, opting for far shorter, one- to two-day trips. The average age of Asian cruise passengers has decreased by a whopping seven years, and the average length of their cruises has reduced by 2.5-3.5 days.

However, passengers from Asia last year only accounted for 21% of pre-pandemic volume due to a ban on cruises in China that is just starting to lift internationally. In 2022, Chinese passengers primarily took domestic voyages that were intentionally scheduled to be shorter. Nevertheless, despite a 79% passenger deficit compared to 2019, the Asia market remained the third-largest global source of cruise passengers last year. With passenger volumes still this significant, these demographic changes highlight a noteworthy trend toward younger passengers taking shorter voyages in Asia.

Last year, passengers from Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific were the oldest on global average and spent the most time at sea compared to other regions. These passengers, averaging just over 50 years old, embarked on voyages lasting nine days per trip.

As a proportion of total passengers by destination, the oldest cruise passengers were headed for exploratory destinations like the Arctic, Greenland, or North Cape. These cruises prioritize education, adventure, and exploring remote areas over luxury or onboard entertainment. The average age for passengers headed to these destinations was over 63, spending almost two weeks at sea per cruise. However, globally, exploration cruises make up less than 1% of total passenger numbers and represent a niche segment of the market.

North America in Focus

We analyzed North America’s flow of cruise passengers last year to reveal detailed insights about the #1 cruise-enthusiastic region globally. The top five destinations for North American cruise passengers and their share of total North American arrivals in 2022 were:

1. Caribbean, Bahamas and Bermuda: 67%
2. North America West Coast, Mexico, California and Pacific Coast: 9%
3. Alaska: 9%
4. Central and Western Mediterranean: 4%
5. Canada and New England: 2%

North America’s share of total passenger arrivals for last year mostly mirrors 2019 levels. However, the Canada and New England region replaced the Panama Canal and South American region for #5 in 2022. Although either area only captures roughly 2% of passengers from North America annually.

Last year, two regions made an impressive comeback, fully recovering their North American cruise tourism levels. In fact, these regions saw more visitors in 2022 than in 2019. These two prosperous areas were:

• Alaska: 18,776 more passengers — 2% growth
• Asia and China: 6,717 more passengers — 4% growth

The significant growth in the Alaska, Asia, and China markets last year can be partially attributed to the already expanding fleet of cruises at these destinations before the pandemic. Although far more North Americans are sailing to Alaska yearly, Asian cruises are gaining immense popularity among North Americans with astounding annual growth.

Exploration destinations also gained massive popularity among North American travelers last year. North American arrivals to exploratory destinations increased by 15 thousand passengers, a 34% increase compared to the previous year. Half of all exploratory passengers were North Americans last year, twice as many as in 2019.

Methodology

Independent: Our research team conducts data analysis with independence and impartiality to ensure the integrity of the findings. Our research is editorially independent, but we may earn a commission for any purchases made through links on this page.

Secondary Research: This report was based solely on raw data from the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) 2022 Global Passenger Report and 2022 Passenger Flow Diagram released on 4/3/2023. The CLIA 2022 Global Passenger Report is based on internal data representing 95% of the global cruise industry’s capacity, supplemented by data from Tourism Economics and CHART Management Consultants for non-CLIA cruise lines. CLIA-cited forecasts were based on the 2023 State of the Cruise Industry Report released on 3/30/2023.

Data Threshold: The CLIA excludes source markets (where passengers come from) with less than 2,000 annual passengers and destination markets (passenger arrivals) with less than 4,000 yearly visitors from the 2022 Global Passenger Report. The CLIA excludes individual passenger flows (source-destination market pairings) with less than 5,000 annual passengers from the 2022 Passenger Flow Diagram. The exclusion of this data from the passenger flow chart only removes 0.9% or 179 thousand passengers from global yearly totals.

Replicability: The complete analysis for this project was created with the reports mentioned above in the secondary research section. The data in these reports and charts are in a visual format without explanation. We manually pulled all this data for interpretive analysis to present this information in an accessible and engaging manner. You can access and download the database behind our study here. We aim to give you a deeper understanding of complex data by reporting hidden trends and patterns in an engaging format.

Contact Us: If you have any questions about this study or are looking to build a similar project and would like to know more about our process, please don’t hesitate to contact us at info@strivemedia.com, and we can walk you through the steps.

Hotels consistently outperform short-term vacation rental occupancy rates in the U.S. for the last ten months despite nightly hotel rates being more expensive in 2023 than comparable vacation rentals. Hotel revenues per unit surpassed vacation rentals last July, and the gap has steadily widened.

Trips to Discover obtained data from vacation rental analytics company, AirDNA and utilized STR hotel market research data to conduct a comprehensive four-year appraisal of the U.S. hospitality industry to identify long-term trends. The analysis reveals surging hotel popularity and subsiding enthusiasm for vacation rentals.

Summary of Our Key Findings:

• Hotels have had higher occupancy rates than vacation rentals since June 2022, with a 4% average difference by April 2023.
• Yearly vacation rental prices dropped for the first time since the pandemic began to $148 per night.
• Hotels earn $10 more per room/rental than comparable studio and one-bedroom vacation rentals as of April 2023.

What’s Happening

Falling vacation rental occupancy and nightly rates are symptoms of shifting hospitality demand. Short-term vacation rentals are losing favor among some of the general public and particular governments. Rising yearly Airbnb prices, media reports about guest-host conflicts, and even talk of an ’Airbnbust’ are growing, sparking concerns among some about the future of short-term vacation rentals.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, vacation rentals gained popularity while the hotel industry declined. The spaciousness, privacy, and amenities of vacation rentals, like kitchens and laundry rooms, made them more attractive for social distancing while vacationing.

By mid-April 2020, the number of empty hotel rooms had reached a low point, with four out of every five rooms available. In contrast, vacation rental occupancies remained steady before skyrocketing in April 2021, eventually reaching an 80% peak that July.

Hotels are gaining popularity as travel returns to pre-pandemic levels while interest in vacation rentals stabilizes. This may be due to factors such as convenience and access to amenities. Hotels offer more consistency and round-the-clock staff, while vacation rental host regulations and availability vary greatly.

Hotels and vacation rentals each have their benefits, but according to the data, travelers prioritize the convenience and accessibility of hotels over the privacy and space of vacation rentals.

Nevertheless, it’s important to consider how small the vacation rental industry is compared to the dominant hotel industry. As of June 2022, vacation rentals only comprise roughly 13% of total U.S. accommodation demand. Demand is growing, up 15.8% this March from a year ago, according to AirDNA. This is partially due to a cooldown in the growth of available property listings, with new listings declining in March over February as a total percentage of available listings.

Airbnb stocks dropped in May due to lower forecasted second-quarter demand. The vacation rental industry has proliferated recently, but the data indicates a slowdown. While it can’t match the size and scale of the hotel industry, vacation rentals offer unique benefits like personal space and privacy. So despite its easing growth, the industry has carved out a niche for attracting travelers seeking unique experiences.

The Competition For Occupancy

The availability of vacation rentals changes depending on the season, making occupancy rates somewhat relative. On the contrary, hotel availability usually stays the same all year round.

Short-term rentals often have lower occupancy rates than hotels because of seasonal demand and higher pricing thresholds. Hotels can support the low seasons with business travelers and drop rates to fill rooms, while many rentals cannot due to cleaning and staffing costs.

Using a moving average to remove seasonal patterns, we compared weekly vacation rental occupancy rates to those of hotels over the last three years to reveal long-term trends.

Vacation rentals have been categorized into Rentals HC and Rentals 2BR+. Rentals HC are studio and one-bedroom vacation rentals comparable to hotels in terms of space, amenities and pricing. Rentals 2BR+ are vacation rentals with two bedrooms or more. While studio and one-bedroom rentals are a close substitute for hotels, two-bedroom or larger vacation rentals are different and provide a different experience.

By separating larger rentals into a separate category, we can better understand the overall performance of the vacation rental market beyond just those comparable to hotels.

Vacation rentals enjoyed regularly higher occupancy rates than hotels during much of the pandemic despite seasonal and price dynamic differences. A return to regular hotel occupancy rate dominance over vacation rentals marks a return to normal, post-pandemic travel.

Hotels dethroned vacation rentals in June 2022 after significant occupancy gains beginning in April 2021. Since the summer of 2021, vacation rental occupancies have slowly declined; only three of every five vacation rentals were full by April this year.

In contrast, hotel occupancies have steadily risen, reaching nearly 66% by April. Currently, vacation rental occupancies lag hotels by four percentage points when using a 12-month moving average. The last time hotels showed such a significant lead was in early 2020.

A Budget-Friendly Opportunity

Average nightly vacation rental rates were cheaper Jan-March of this year compared to a year ago after adjusting for inflation. Rental rates have only increased since the pandemic began making this the first time the average vacation rental is more affordable than the year before.

As vacation rental occupancy rates slump and the number of available rentals remains steady, travelers have a unique opportunity to book an Airbnb or Vrbo at lower prices than last year.

Hotels and comparable vacation rentals often cost the same, around $150 per night in 2023. Still, until last summer, vacation rentals were typically more expensive than hotel rooms throughout the pandemic. Nevertheless, there has been a significant shift in the hospitality space. Hotels have been slightly more expensive than vacation rentals by an average of 3.15% for the past four quarters.

According to the data, hotels have been experiencing higher occupancy rates and nightly rates for several consecutive months and quarters, respectively, leading to dominant revenue figures in the market compared to vacation rentals.

The change in trend suggests a return to the pre-pandemic era of travel, where hotels typically generated more significant revenue per room/rental and maintained consistently high occupancy rates. It marks a departure from the unique circumstances of the pandemic, which had allowed vacation rentals to outperform hotels in these metrics for a certain period.

Dive Deeper

Revenue per available room or rental (RevPAR) looks at how many rooms and rentals are filled and how much money hotels and vacation rentals make on average for each room. If RevPAR rises, it is usually a sign that occupancy, nightly rates, or both are growing. To adjust for seasonality, we used a moving average to reveal trends in traveler preferences.

Both occupancies and nightly rates are rising for hotels, reflecting rising demand. Combining both rates into one metric, RevPAR further underlines a return to pre-pandemic accommodation demand, with hotels typically earning more per room/rental than vacation rentals.

Last summer marked the first time since August 2020 that a 12-month moving average RevPAR for hotels and comparable vacation rentals was identical, equaling $86.80 per room or rental. The RevPAR gap between hotels and similar vacation rentals has only widened since then. Hotels took in $96.31 per room by April, and vacation rentals dipped to $86.70 on a moving average.

Meanwhile, RevPAR for vacation rentals comparable to hotels has stagnated since last summer. Their flatlined RevPAR is primarily due to lower occupancy rates, with some revenue loss due to modestly lower nightly rates after adjusting for inflation.

With hotels overtaking short-term vacation rentals in popularity, the U.S. hospitality industry is experiencing a significant shift in traveler preferences. As travel has returned to normal, hotels are once again on top. However, with the availability of vacation rentals holding steady and their occupancy and nightly rates declining, travelers can enjoy booking vacation rentals at lower prices than last year.

Methodology

Independent: Our research team’s findings are produced solely using data analytics. This analysis was based exclusively on internal data from vacation rental analytics company, AirDNA and publically available data from CoStar Group’s hotel market research division, STR. Our research is editorially independent, but we may earn a commission for any purchases made through links on this page.

Data Preparation: We gathered weekly occupancy rates, average daily rates (ADR) and revenues per available room (RevPAR) for U.S. hotels from STR’s press releases dating back to June 2019. We obtained weekly occupancy rates, ADR and RevPAR (revenues per available rental) for U.S. vacation rentals for the same timeframe from AirDNA. Vacation rental data was split into two categories: The rentals hotel-comparable (Rentals HC) category features studio and one-bedroom vacation rentals more proximate to hotels for analytic purposes. The second category, rentals 2 BR+, are vacation rentals with two or more bedrooms useful for independent analysis but should not be compared directly to hotels.

Analysis Techniques: We used a 12-month moving average to compare movement patterns in hotel and vacation rental occupancy rates and RevPAR. This enabled us to mitigate seasonality and other short-term market fluctuations by smoothing out the data to look for long-term trends. We adjusted ADR for inflation to March 2023 in our nightly rate year-over-year (YoY) analysis. Quarterly rate comparisons were made by averaging weekly rates for each period and adjusting for inflation. ADR rates used to calculate RevPAR were in nominal, unadjusted figures.

Study Limitations: Comparing short-term vacation rentals against hotels has several limitations resulting in some degree of study heterogeneity. For example, hotels are large, almost always open and a concentration of hospitality typically under single ownership. Vacation rentals are small, spread out, and more seasonally available with decentralized ownership. We only directly compared studio and one-bedroom vacation rentals with hotels to reduce heterogeneity. However, this quantitative synthesis is a meta-analysis of two different research companies. Their statistics are similar enough to be confident in our findings. Still, some variation is expected in measurement protocols between the two firms.

Replicability: Figures provided by AirDNA are proprietary. If you’re interested in the raw data behind the analysis, please don’t hesitate to contact hello@airdna.co. Figures from STR were manually collected from their press releases.

Contact Us: If you have any questions about this study or are looking to build a similar project and would like to know more about our process, please don’t hesitate to contact us at info@strivemedia.com, and we can walk you through the steps.

Whether you’re a first-time flier or a seasoned service dog traveler, our guide includes all the latest updates on the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and individual airline policies. So please sit back, relax, and let us help make your next flight with your service dog a breeze!

Here is a breakdown of everything you will learn on this page:

• Service Dog Definition and Airplane Eligibility
• Service Dog Training Requirements for Flying
• Breed Restrictions and Flying With Large Service Dogs
• New Rules for Flying With a Service Dog
• Service Dog Rights and Laws When Flying
• TSA and Airport Service Dog Policies
• American, Delta, Southwest, United Service Dog Policies
• Service Dog-Proof Airlines Can and Can Not Ask For
• How to Answer Questions About Your Service Dog
• What to Do if Your Service Dog is Denied Aircraft Entry
• Final Tips on Flying With a Service Dog

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These misconceptions could not be further from the truth and require some serious busting. So we spoke with Gabby Beckford, award-winning travel influencer and expert behind Packs Light, about common travel myths that aren’t true.

Here is everything you will find debunked on this page:

• Solo Travel Myths and Misconceptions
• Solo Female Travel Myths and Misconceptions
• Solo Black Female Travel Myths and Misconceptions
• About Our Expert: Gabby Beckford

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It is no news that airports are increasingly becoming a hassling experience for travelers — long check-in and security lines, lost luggage and flight cancellations, delays or total meltdowns. Airline ticket prices are soaring; the St. Louis Federal Reserve’s Consumer Price Index for airline tickets hit an all-time high last July.

Even some airlines concede that travelers should expect more of the same woes in 2023. The turmoil has some aviation experts declaring the end days of flying merriment as the bar lowers and we strive merely for uneventful transit. Considering all this, is driving the better way to get to our vacations in 2023?

From recent statistics to surveys and a few tips for travel in 2023, here is a breakdown of everything you will learn about on this page:

• Recent Flying and Driving Trends
• Recent RV Trends
• Recent Traveler Sentiments
• Tips for Flying and Driving in 2023

Recent Flying and Driving Trends

The latest data from AAA forecasts nearly 102 million Americans drove to their destinations for end-of-year holiday celebrations in 2022. Only about seven million flew. That is two million more drivers and one million more fliers than in 2021. However, flying had a percentage growth rate that was seven times higher than that of driving. Flying also hit closer to 2019 levels than driving; AAA forecasts 2022 year-end holiday air travel was roughly 2% less than in 2019 and driving nearly 6% less.

Higher gas prices in 2022 curbed driving enthusiasm and recovery. Initially, the outlook for retail gasoline in the U.S. looked optimistic for 2023. The U.S. Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) lasted forecast predicted national average nominal gas prices at $3.36 per gallon this year, nearly 60 cents less than in 2022 — a year that saw record inflation-adjusted gas prices not seen since 2014.

However, a supply shock to the oil market this year nullifies the EIA’s latest forecast. A massive Saudi-led OPEC production cut announced in early April has shrunk global oil supplies by over a million barrels per day. The news sent U.S. crude oil prices soaring by 6% in a single day but have since held steady at the new premium. National average gas prices hit $3.60/gallon by Easter this year, and some analysts predict averages are likely to hit above $4/gallon this summer, as reported by the Associated Press.

For perspective, a year ago, gas was already averaging $4.11/gallon, according to AAA. Even with the production cut, we’re still 60 cents behind that average, and although we will likely see $4/gallon this year, it’s a long shot that gas will reach close to $5/gallon like last summer.

With gas prices projected to be high but relatively lower than last year and airline headaches still in recent memory, will we see a surge in terrestrial travel in 2023? RV trends are one indicator of what to expect.

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Recent RV Trends

Total manufacturer RV shipments in 2022 were the third-highest on record, according to the RV Industry Association. However, shipments are falling compared to the all-time high of 2021 and early 2022; total RV shipments were down nearly 54% in February 2023 compared to February 2022.

New RV shipments are one metric, but since 2021 saw a roughly 21% rise in shipments over 2019, it’s crucial to see if travelers are actually taking their RVs on the road more.

Miles driven by long wheelbase light duty vehicles and single-unit 3-axle trucks were up only around 3% in 2021 compared to 2019, according to the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) annual Highway Statistics Series Report. While these two vehicle types are not exclusive to motorhomes and travel trailers, they capture most RV miles and are a barometer of modestly rising RV enthusiasm. However, the FHWA has not released 2022 data (the record gas price year), which could reveal a significant cooling off of RV miles driven.

Of course, gas is not the only cost of RV travel, especially if you want to buy a new RV in 2023.

The cost of a loan on a new RV is beginning to compound. Inflation is still unchecked, and the Federal Reserve hiked interest rates for the ninth time in a row. Yearly price increases on new RVs already dramatically outpace inflation. These economic developments could wind up backsliding some of the industry’s recent ownership and diversity growth.

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Recent Traveler Sentiments

So, driving and flying numbers are increasing, but flying is recovering faster. Gas prices are climbing but lower than last year; airfare and air hassles are growing. RV ownership has exploded recently but could be pulling back. Which of these factors will have the most influence on travel in 2023? Will travelers choose journey over destination and start their vacation in a car or RV rather than a plane?

A Cars.com survey last Fall revealed that 80% of those who intended to travel for Thanksgiving chose to drive. However, that is a 4% drop from 2021. When asked in 2021 ($3.02/gallon) if gas prices affect their travel plans, only half of the respondents said yes; when asked in 2022 ($3.97/gallon), that number jumped to 63%.

But consider this: only a quarter of respondents who drove for Thanksgiving in 2021 said they preferred to fly, but COVID-19 disruptions made them change plans. In 2022, only 20% of respondents let recent flight disruptions sway them to drive instead — however, that was before the 2022 winter holidays and the most significant airline meltdown of the year.

Higher oil prices also affect airline costs, but not as directly to consumers and can also lag significantly behind the price at the pump for motorists. Globally, fuel represents about 30% of airline operating costs, and fuel cost increases don’t usually raise airline prices dollar for dollar.

So which economic factor has the most significant impact? That will remain to be seen in 2023.

We know that airfare and gas prices are rising. Traveling by car is cheaper than flying. The economy is tightening. However, airline disruptions weigh less on travelers each year as we grow habituated to them.

So what travel behavior should we expect in 2023? Since flying and driving will be more expensive this year, we’ll have to wait and see which transportation method fairs marginally better at cost and the degree to which that shifts travel behaviors.

With higher overall prices, this summer could look like the last. And just like last summer, we’ll be testing travel demand elasticity. Has the post-pandemic demand shock, aka “revenge travel,” worn out or will vacationers largely ignore higher-than-average prices like last year proving travel costs are still relatively inelastic?

As of April 10, TSA passenger volumes for 2023 are up 18% over 2022, signaling revenge travel is far from over. However, gains have slowed since mid-February to only roughly 11% higher on any given day. Still, 2023 flight prices are averaging 20% higher than 2022, according to Hopper.

The air travel market is unlikely to cool down. Gas prices are unlikely to hit the record $5/gallon average we saw last year, so the stage is set for a mild increase in vacationers traveling by car this year.

RV rental platforms like Outdoorsy are positioned for an RV rental supply increase from owners seeking to hedge against rising ownership costs. These platforms are also set for increased RV rental demand from potential new RV owners who might reconsider their purchase plans this year. With high but relatively lower gas prices, rising airline headaches, inflation and interest rates, renting an RV could be the optimal vacation plan for many Americans in 2023.

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Tips for Flying and Driving in 2023

If you plan to fly this year, it will differ from a few years ago. Here are a few tips to remember as you plan that vacation.

• Use scouting apps like Hopper (Available on iOS and Android) to time booking right.
• Plan extra time at the airport this year; our guide breaks down when to arrive.
• Avoid traveling around major holidays when airline meltdown chances are higher.
• TSA PreCheck just set a new record for the most active users — join the club.
• Booking separate one-way tickets can save you on domestic flights.

As more of us likely head back on the road this year, here are a few suggestions to make your cross-country travel easier.

• Plan itineraries based on your speed and comfort; consider itinerary apps like Roadtrippers (available on iOS and Android).
• Service your vehicle, especially your oil, tires, filters and air flow/oxygen sensors. Also, consider additional roadside assistance options like AAA.
• Use GasBuddy (Available on iOS and Android) to find the cheapest gas stations along your route. Save even more fuel (up to 25 cents/gallon) when you sign up for their free gas card, which functions like a debit card, pulling funds from a linked bank account.
• Download offline maps for areas with spotty reception; instructions for Google and Apple. Better yet, buy a paper map just in case.
• If you are navigationally apt and followed the tips above, try to get yourself lost on purpose!
• Plan your vacations before or after major holidays, especially visiting National Parks with limited RV space.
• Locate hidden gem campsites using the tent and RV camping app, The Dyrt (Available on iOS and Android).

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We requested the advice of two experts background-rich in physiotherapy and patient health advocacy on managing chronic conditions while traveling.

Here is a breakdown of everything you will learn on this page:

• Planning to Travel with Chronic Conditions
• Packing to Travel with Chronic Conditions
• Easing Travel with Chronic Conditions
• Flying or Driving with Chronic Conditions
• Mentally Traveling with Chronic Conditions
• Infographic: Traveling with Chronic Conditions

This article is for informational or educational purposes only and does not substitute professional medical advice or consultations with healthcare professionals.

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Using NTTO data, we found the ten most visited metropolitan areas in Florida as ranked by the total estimated overseas visitors to each city in 2021 (excluding Mexico and Canada). These ten cities support the lion’s share of overseas tourism in the state and, by some extension, the country! See our methodology for a full explanation.

From deep sea fishing in Cape Coral, Florida, to the indefatigable nightlife of Miami, Here is a breakdown of the cities foreigners choose most when setting their travel sights on Florida:

• Map: The 10 Most Visited Metros in Florida
• Ranked list: The 10 Most Visited Metros in Florida
  • 1. Miami
  • 2. Orlando
  • 3. Fort Lauderdale
  • 4. Tampa
  • 5. West Palm Beach
  • 6. Naples
  • 7. Jacksonville
  • 8. North Port
  • 9. Cape Coral
  • 10. Key West
• Table: The 10 Most Visited Metros in Florida
• Methodology

Credit: National Travel and Tourism Office

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Table: The 10 Most Popular Destinations in Florida

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Methodology

Independent: Our research team independently recommends the best destinations using data analysis. Our top recommendations are based solely on data from the International Trade Administration’s National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO). Our research is editorially independent, but we may earn a commission for any purchases made through links on this page.

Secondary Research: To complete this project, we used the latest National Travel and Tourism Office’s Inbound Market and Sector Profiles for Overseas Visitors to the United States data. This dataset is based on the NTTO’s ongoing Survey of International Air Travelers (SIAT) to estimate overseas visitation to 91 U.S. Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) or Metropolitan Divisions (MDs) and 45 U.S. States and Territories.

Survey Details: Overseas visitation to the U.S. are estimated by the NTTO. It uses the jackknife cross-validation statistical method to estimate visitation only for metros and states with enough sample responses to reach a 95% confidence interval. Due to this, some unreported destinations could have a higher proportion of total visitation than those reported. U.S. Overseas Visitor % is based on the 2021 U.S. visitor market share as reported by the NTTO and is a weighted estimate of the share of visitations to each MSA or state of all overseas visitors to the U.S.

Destinations: At the most-granular level, the NTTO only breaks down visitor data into Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) or Metropolitan Divisions (MDs), which often include more than one city. We simplified MSAs and MDs in this piece for easier comprehension. For example, the North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota MSA became the North Port Metro.

Rankings: City ranks in this article are based on the 2021 estimated overseas visitation to the U.S. as reported by the NTTO. All data were collected and analyzed between 2/28/23-3/2/23.

Replicability: The original data from the NTTO can be found via the link here under the Statistics and Research Programs, Market and Sector Profiles, Inbound Market Profiles: Overseas Visitors to the United States, U.S. States, Territories and Cities Visited xlsx file. The data Trips to Discover used was uploaded by the NTTO in June 2022 and contains overseas visitor estimates for 2021 and 2020, growth between the two years, and market share for 2021 and 2020. Our rankings were based solely on the estimated 2021 overseas visitation volume.

Contact Us: If you have any questions about this study or are looking to build a similar project and would like to know more about our process, please don’t hesitate to contact us at info@strivemedia.com, and we can walk you through the steps.

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