AAA Survey Shows 32% of Minnesotans Plan to Travel for Spring Break

BURNSVILLE, MN., (March 13, 2023) – Travel bookings for 2023 are off to a very strong start and that is reflected in a new survey from AAA. According to the Auto Club Group, 83% of Minnesotans plan to travel this year. That’s significantly higher than the 72% in 2022.

AAA is also citing a big jump in travel during spring break. According to the report, 32% of Minnesotans are planning a spring break vacation. That’s up from 22% last year.

“AAA expects one of the busiest spring break travel seasons in years,” said Debbie Haas, Vice President of Travel for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Previous spring travel seasons were affected by COVID-19. However, Americans are largely more confident about traveling again, and AAA has seen very strong bookings for beach destinations, cruises, and attractions.”

Beach vacations are the most popular among Spring Breakers, according to AAA’s survey. Florida is the top domestic destination with its beaches, theme parks, and cruise ports.

Hawaii is another Spring Break favorite, with six unique islands and stunning scenery. AAA tour partner Pleasant Holidays says bookings for Hawaiian hotels and cruises are popular this year, as many travelers are opting for warm weather beach destinations.

Cruising is making a big splash this year. Ships leaving from Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and Tampa – heading to the Caribbean, Mexico, and Central America – top the list of AAA cruise bookings for Spring Break. Cruises sailing to Alaska, Canada, Northern Europe, and the Persian Gulf have also seen a spike in popularity.

International Travel Surges

AAA travel bookings show a 30% spike in international Spring Break bookings compared to last year. Travelers looking for warm weather are flocking to the Caribbean and Mexico or sailing to tropical destinations while enjoying the amenities of a cruise vacation. Additionally, Americans are taking advantage of the strong U.S. dollar and the exchange rate in Europe.

Top Spring Break Destinations

USA Hot Spots

• Florida
• Hawaii
• Las Vegas
• New York City
• San Francisco
• New Orleans

Mexican Getaways

• Cancun and Riviera Maya
• Mexico City

Caribbean Vacations

• Nassau, Bahamas
• Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
• Montego Bay, Jamaica
• San Juan, Puerto Rico

European Escapes

• Paris, France
• London, England
• Amsterdam, Netherlands
• Rome, Italy
• Barcelona, Spain

Unique Cruises

• Bahrain
• Papua New Guinea
• Danube River