Recent additions to local amusement parks and attractions are prompting more interest in travel to the Los Angeles/Anaheim region this summer, according to AAA and the Automobile Club of Southern California. Nationwide summer travel bookings through AAA reveal that the LA/Anaheim area is the third most popular domestic destination in the U.S., moving up from the seventh most popular destination for summer 2015.
Nearly 56 percent of Americans plan at least one driving vacation this summer, according to a recent AAA survey.
The new attractions that Southern California visitors will be able to enjoy this summer include:
- The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Hollywood
- The ‘Frozen’ musical and the ‘Soarin’ Around the World’ ride (opening June 17) at Disney’s California Adventure
- The New Revolution Virtual Reality Coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain
- LEGO® NINJAGO® THE RIDE at LEGOLAND California Resort
“Members can purchase discount tickets to most Southern California attractions at their local branch and they can visit AAA.com/tickets for details on available discounts,” said Pamela Shepherd, the Auto Club’s vice president for branch operations.
The top ten domestic summer destinations for U.S. travelers, according to AAA travel booking data for trips taken June 1 through Aug. 15, are:
- Orlando, FL (1)
- Seattle, WA
- Los Angeles/Anaheim (7)
- Honolulu (4)
- Las Vegas
- Anchorage, AL
- New York City
- Maui, HI
- San Francisco
- Denver, CO
*Number in parentheses indicates summer 2015 ranking position
AAA travel data also revealed the top 10 international travel destinations this summer:
- Rome, Italy (4)
- London, England (3)
- Cancun, Mexico (1)
- Vancouver, Canada (8)
- Paris, France (7)
- Dublin, Ireland (6)
- Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (2)
- Montego Bay, Jamaica (5)
- Calgary, Canada
- Amsterdam, Netherlands
*Number in parentheses indicates summer 2015 ranking position.
“Europe remains very popular with American travelers despite recent terrorism concerns,” said Bill Sutherland, AAA senior vice president of travel and publishing. “A strong dollar, discounted pricing and a continued sense of resilience are motivating millions of Americans to venture across the pond for their summer vacations this year.”
On May 31, the U.S. State Department issued a travel alert for Europe, citing the risk of potential terror attacks. Travel alerts are issued for short-term events that travelers should be aware of when planning to visit a country. This differs from a travel warning in which the State Department urges travelers to consider very carefully whether to visit a country or region at all.
“AAA urges travelers to exercise vigilance when traveling and be aware of their immediate surroundings. Determining when and where to travel is very personal,” continued Sutherland. “The strong interest in Europe and even Paris shows that many Americans are undeterred by recent global events.”
Before setting out on a summer vacation, travelers should download the free AAA Mobile app for iPhone, iPad and Android. They can use the app to map a route, find the lowest gas prices, access exclusive member discounts, find more than 58,000 AAA Approved and Diamond Rated hotels and restaurants, request AAA roadside assistance and more. For in-person travel planning, seek the expert advice of a trusted travel advisor, who can provide personalized service and first-hand destination knowledge to create a memorable vacation. For more information and to begin planning a trip, visit AAA.com/SummerFun.