In this article we are going to list the 20 fastest growing vacation destinations in the US. Click to skip ahead and jump to the 5 fastest growing vacation destinations in the US.
Travelling has always been one of the best ways to spend some free leisure time with your loved ones and break away from the monotony of life. Since the beginning of this century tourism industry has flourished and there has been an increasing mindset of people to get out of their dens and explore the world.
Tourism industry is one of the most progressive and the most exciting businesses of all. The industry provides employment to numerous people and many economies solely rely on tourism for revenue generation. People travelled since the beginning of this world but what really boosted the tourism industry was the advent of internet and the globalization that it brought with it. People around the world were able to connect to each other and discovered a newfound interest in visiting different countries and exploring different cultures and cuisines.
Today, the kind of lifestyles that we have and the public sphere that influences us makes us all aspire to travel around the world and see all those famous places from our own eyes. Most corporate companies now have their offices and clientele in various different countries and continents and hence require their employees to travel very frequently for meetings and conferences. Extravagant honeymoons and destination weddings are also something very common now. To cater to all such needs there has been a rapid increase in the number of businesses in the industry who have set newer benchmarks and better standards and this process is ongoing because once something is interesting and unique enough to create a buzz people start visiting it.
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This world has thousands of beautiful places and mesmerizing sceneries that are worth visiting. But perhaps, even until a few years ago travelling was seen as something which not everyone could afford and only the more privileged and affluent ones were able to travel around the world. However, with everything becoming much more accessible travelling has become a thing for everyone at least every once in a while, if not very frequently. With the development of tourism industry and more entrants in the hospitality field there are more travel packages, cheaper air fares and better accommodation deals which also motivate the middle working class to save up and travel to their dream vacation destinations.
Although when thinking of ideal vacation destinations, one thinks of being in a European country enjoying a beautiful sunset in the tropics. USA is not the first country that naturally comes in mind when thinking about a perfect tourist attraction since it has always been viewed as the political hub of this world and people have always seen it as a place they might want to live in, but there is definitely more to it. The country has a diverse topography with many beautiful cities, countryside attractions, one-of-a-kind beaches and much more that makes the country one of the best places to visit at least once in your life. It is an extremely versatile country because each of its states is so different from the other that one can enjoy the beaches and the mountains, the bustling cities, and the countryside all simultaneously in just one country. This is something impossible to find in any other country in the world. It is undoubtedly a place that makes it to everyone’s bucket list.
The US tourism industry is doing exceptionally well for decades and contributes more than 1 trillion US dollars to the country’s GDP. The current pandemic situation has affected the industry globally and thus the negative impact of it can also be seen in the US. Nonetheless, some destinations are still growing in popularity. This has affected some of the biggest airlines in the US such as United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL), Delta Airlines (NYSE:DAL) and American Airlines (NASDAQ:AAL). The hospitality industry has also suffered severely, with the biggest hotel company in the world, Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) suffering a lot during the pandemic as well. The rankings and listings for the fastest growing vacation destinations in the US have been compiled from Forbes, Insider, and Travel Pulse. So let’s take a look at the cities in the US people love to flock to, starting with number 20:
20. Scottsdale, Arizona
Starting off our list with one of the less popular destination of US, which is Scottsdale, a desert city in Arizona. Although still with a much lower tourist traffic than the more popular US cities, Scottsdale makes it on our list because it is one of the fastest growing vacation destinations. There are many spa resorts, golf courses and various other attractions opening up in the city inviting more and more tourists every year.
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19. St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis, again, has not been the most popular choice amongst all US vacation destinations but the tourism industry in the city has been growing recently at a very fast pace and in the years to come it will be one of the most sought-after destination in the US. The city is modern, vibrant, and hip, making it a perfect place to visit for millennials.
18. Key West, Florida
Key West is an island city in the state of Florida. The city is a haven for beach lovers. There have been new accommodations and water sport activities opening up in the city as the year over year tourist traffic increases. Taking a stroll along the Duval street and watching sunsets from Mallory square is an experience not to be found anywhere else in the world.
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17. Orlando, Florida
Orlando has always been a tourist favorite because of its theme parks especially the Walt Disney World, owned by Disney (NYSE:DIS). However, recently tourism has been growing further with many more new attractions opening up in the city. There is much more to do in Orlando than just visiting the theme parks such as a trip to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex or Orlando Science center is perfect for all science geeks.
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16. Greenville, South Carolina
Greenville is not only a fast-growing vacation spot but also one of the fastest growing cities of USA which means there is more of everything popping up, more hotels, more restaurants, and more flights to and from, with cheaper fares.
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15. Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis is another rapidly growing destination in terms of popularity, tourist traffic and hotel bookings. The city with its connection to the whole African American history offers a rich culture and has many museums. The Graceland attracts all Elvis Presley fans while the Memphis rock and soul museum is a place for all music lovers to be.
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14. Vail, Colorado
Vail is a small town in Colorado which is a perfect place for families to visit. Its most famous Vail ski resort is what attracts many people to the city for winter sports such as skiing, ice skating and snowboarding. The streets of Vail with cobblestone paths add to the city’s towny vibe and gives it an aesthetic that tourists love.
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13. New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a city located along the Mississippi river known for its bustling nightlife, rich culture, and traditional cuisine. New Orleans has been hosting many festivals and tournaments which has helped increase tourism in the city to a great extent and there is greater talkability about the city’s attractions. The bourbon street, French quarter, National museums are some of the many attraction in the city.
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12. Bend, Oregon
Bend also known as the Beer town of USA is a city which has recently become one of the places to be. There have been new hotels opening in the city and development of many touristy activities to make it a perfect vacation destination. Skiing, surfboarding, kayaking, and hiking are some of the activities that Bend has to offer.
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11. Savannah, Georgia
Savannah has climbed up the travel rankings from a few years and is still one of the fastest growing travel destinations. The city is like a time machine that transports you to the 17th-18th century. It is all about vintage architecture, cobblestone streets and riverboats. Savannah is one of the best places to visit for a quiet, serene vacation where one can revisit history.
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10. Santa Fe, New Mexico
Santa Fe, the capital of New Mexico was formerly a part of the Spanish empire. The city has still not forgotten its roots but has developed over the years which makes it a beautiful combination of vintage and contemporary. The city’s architecture characterized by pueblo style houses and the many museums and galleries is the perfect place for art and history lovers.
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9. Dallas, Texas
According to the Wall Street journal Dallas is one of the best places to travel in 2020. Tourism has rapidly increased in the city with a 133% increase in people searching for attractions in Dallas on Pinterest. With skyscrapers and streets that have small town aesthetics, Dallas offers the best of both worlds. The food scene of the city is more than inviting with its world-famous steaks.
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8. Bozeman, Montana
Bozeman is a new and emerging vacation destination which is inviting an increasing number of tourists every year. The city has many activities to offer depending on what time of the year people are visiting. In summers you can go for hiking, fishing, or taking a swim in the hot springs while in winters you can go for skiing near the Yellowstone National Park which is not more than 90 minutes away from the city.
7. San Diego, California
Also known as America’s finest city, San Diego is present on the coast of Pacific Ocean. The city has always had a high footfall of tourists every year but still the growth in tourism has been high with many new hotels opening and an increasing nightlife. Many tourists including Americans from adjacent cities very frequently visit the gorgeous beaches, museums, the city zoo and Legoland.
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6. Boise, Idaho
Boise, the capital city of Idaho is also a rapidly growing vacation destination in terms of incoming traffic and hotel spending. The city is best known for its topography with abundant mountainous locations that attract thousands of hikers every year. There are many new breweries and Instagrammable cafes popping up across the town which have further added to the city’s relaxed, fun, and outdoorsy vibe.
Please continue to see the 5 fastest growing vacation destinations in the US.
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Disclosure: No position. 20 fastest growing vacation destinations in the US is originally published at Insider Monkey.
