Tripadvisor, the world’s largest travel guidance platform, has shared early insights from its forthcoming 2026 Summer Travel Index, highlighting the most popular and emerging destinations for U.S. travelers.

The findings show a strong preference for East Coast beach locations, with Myrtle Beach topping domestic search trends. These easy-to-reach seaside spots appeal to families, offering a wide range of activities—from water parks and beach развлечения to cultural attractions and local entertainment suited to all age groups. On the international front, Mexico and Caribbean destinations remain highly favored, with Cancun holding its position as the leading summer destination for the third consecutive year. Its appeal includes exceptional diving and snorkeling opportunities, along with access to renowned cultural landmarks.

Travel choices also vary across major U.S. holiday weekends. For Memorial Day, travelers are opting for short getaways to places like Anaheim, California, and Orange Beach, Alabama. Meanwhile, Independence Day plans lean toward popular beach destinations such as Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and Clearwater, Florida.

Summer Travel Index 2026: Top Destinations
Search data reflects a mix of classic beach retreats and well-known urban hubs. Myrtle Beach leads the list, joined by several Florida coastal destinations. At the same time, iconic cities like New York, Chicago, and Las Vegas remain highly sought after. Internationally, Cancun ranks first among U.S. travelers, followed by Paris and London, underscoring continued interest in Europe’s cultural centers.

Top Domestic Destinations (U.S. Travelers):
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
New York, New York
Chicago, Illinois
Las Vegas, Nevada
Ocean City, Maryland
Key West, Florida
Panama City Beach, Florida
Seattle, Washington
Clearwater, Florida
Nashville, Tennessee

Top International Destinations (U.S. Travelers):
Cancun, Mexico
Paris, France
London, United Kingdom
Rome, Italy
Bavaro, Dominican Republic
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Barcelona, Spain
Palm–Eagle Beach, Aruba
Vancouver, Canada
Oranjestad, Aruba

Fastest-Growing Destinations (Year-over-Year)
Comparative data indicates rising interest in Florida beach towns and Caribbean islands, alongside increased exploration of destinations across Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean.

Trending Domestic Locations:
Orlando, Florida
Longboat Key, Florida
Pensacola Beach, Florida
Baltimore, Maryland
Charlotte, North Carolina

Trending International Locations:
Green Island, Jamaica
The Bight Settlement, Turks and Caicos
Kyushu, Japan
Bilbao, Spain
Tropea, Italy

Memorial Day Travel Trends
Search patterns for Memorial Day highlight growing interest in destinations like St. Pete Beach and Orange Beach, as well as culturally rich cities such as Rome and Toronto. Anaheim is also gaining attention as a top choice for extended weekend trips, thanks to attractions like Disneyland Park.

Top Trending Domestic (Memorial Day):
Anaheim, California
Orange Beach, Alabama
St. Pete Beach, Florida
Reno, Nevada
Virginia Beach, Virginia

Top Trending International (Memorial Day):
Rome, Italy
Toronto, Canada
Porto, Portugal
Bavaro, Dominican Republic
Grace Bay, Turks and Caicos

4th of July Travel Trends
For Independence Day, travelers are gravitating toward coastal destinations like Virginia Beach and Panama City Beach, as well as entertainment-driven locations such as Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, home to Dollywood Theme Park.

Top Trending Domestic (4th of July):
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Clearwater, Florida
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Panama City Beach, Florida

Top Trending International (4th of July):
Rome, Italy
Bavaro, Dominican Republic
Cap Cana, Dominican Republic
Palm–Eagle Beach, Aruba
Oranjestad, Aruba

Summer Experiences and Activities
Travelers this summer are focusing on thoughtfully curated experiences. Cultural and heritage tours are the most popular, followed by outdoor and adventure activities that offer immersive ways to explore destinations.

Popular Experiences Include:

Methodology
These insights are based on Tripadvisor’s first-party behavioral data, analyzing searches conducted by travelers in the U.S. and U.K. between February 1 and April 10, 2026, for trips scheduled between June 1 and August 31, 2026.

Saudia, the national airline of Saudi Arabia, is set to relocate its operations to the New Terminal One at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport when the facility opens in 2026, ushering in a new phase for the carrier at one of the United States’ busiest international hubs.

The New Terminal One forms a major part of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s $19 billion redevelopment of JFK Airport. This large-scale project includes the construction of two brand-new terminals, upgrades and expansions to two existing terminals, a modern ground transportation hub, and a redesigned roadway system to improve access and efficiency.

Currently, Saudia operates from JFK’s Terminal 1, providing nonstop flights to Jeddah and Riyadh. With the transition to the new terminal in 2026, the airline will benefit from increased capacity and a more advanced, passenger-focused environment that supports its growth across North America.

With access to key arrival and departure slots at JFK, Saudia plans to enhance its schedule by introducing additional flight timings and boosting frequencies on the Jeddah–New York route. This move will also improve connectivity, allowing travelers to reach 12 U.S. destinations through its codeshare agreement with Delta Air Lines.

As Saudi Arabia gains recognition as a leading global travel destination, it continues to attract visitors with its mix of historic landmarks and modern attractions. Destinations such as the UNESCO-listed AlUla, the historic districts of Jeddah, and the scenic Red Sea coastline offer a wide range of cultural and natural experiences.

Jennifer Aument, CEO of The New Terminal One at JFK, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, noting that the team is committed to delivering a world-class travel experience aligned with Saudia’s vision and looks forward to a long-term collaboration in New York.

Saudia will join more than 20 international carriers that have committed to operating from the New Terminal One. These include Air France, KLM, Etihad, LOT Polish Airlines, Korean Air, EVA Air, Air Serbia, SAS, Neos, Philippine Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Air New Zealand, Royal Air Maroc, Air China, China Airlines, Gulf Air, Qatar Airways, EGYPTAIR, China Eastern Airlines, Azores Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, and Viva Aerobus.