Carlson Wagonlit Travel Associates unveiled the 2006 results of their annual Travel Trends Survey resulting from a poll of 363 of their travel associate owners, managers and front-line agents throughout the United States at the end of 2005.
Las Vegas remains top of domestic US destinations and Caribbean cruising continues to be the hottest international option for travellers. Caribbean cruising was followed by the Riviera Maya in Mexico with 51.2 per cent while Cancun in Mexico was third with 49.3 per cent. Jamaica was ranked 4th and Puerto Vallarta made a leap into the top five from its 12th position in 2005. The surge in travel to Puerto Vallarta and the western coast of Mexico has been attributed to the aftermath of Hurricane Wilma.
- Top 10 Domestic (US) Destinations: 2006
- 1. Las Vegas, NV 79.6%
- 2. Orlando, FL 71.3%
- 3. Maui, HI 58.1%
- 4. Honolulu, HI 57.9%
- 5. New York City, NY 40.8%
- 6 (tie). Anchorage, AK 19%
- 6 (tie). Phoenix/Scottsdale, AZ 19%
- 8. Kauai, HI 16.3%
- 9. Fort Myers, FL 16.0%
- 10. San Francisco, CA 12.7%
- Top 10 International Destinations: 2006
- 1. Caribbean Cruising 76.3%
- 2. Riviera Maya, Mexico 51.2%
- 3. Cancun, Mexico 49.3%
- 4. Jamaica 34.7%
- 5. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico 30.6%
- 6. Rome, Italy 25.6%
- 7. London, United Kingdom 23.4%
- 8. Punta Cana, D. Republic 22.6%
- 9. Cruising Mexico 19.0%
- 10. Cabo San Lucas/Los Cabos, Mexico 16.5%
- Top 5 Cruise Destinations: 2006
- 1. Caribbean (Western) 30.6%
- 2. Alaska 24.8%
- 3. Caribbean (Eastern) 20.1%
- 4. Caribbean (Southern) 8.8%
- 5. Mexican Riviera 5.8%