As spring approaches, AAA has shared its insights into the top travel destinations and trends for 2025, highlighting key findings from its annual survey.
The survey reveals that 81% of Georgians are planning to take at least one vacation lasting three days or more this year, with many looking forward to travel during the popular spring break period.
“Americans continue to prioritize vacations,” said Debbie Haas, vice president of travel for AAA. “AAA travel agents are busy helping people plan a wide range of trips, from weekend getaways to world cruises. With high demand, it’s a good idea to secure your plans early to ensure the best combination of options and pricing.”
Nearly half (48%) of travelers are planning to take more vacations this year than they did in 2024.
Top vacations Georgians in 2025
According to the AAA survey, the most popular types of vacations for Georgians this year include:
- Beach Destinations: 55%
- Road Trips: 46%
- City/Major Metro Destinations: 32%
- Theme Parks: 31%
- Resort or International Vacations: 25%
- Ocean or Large Cruises: 22%
“Beach destinations continue to rank high for Georgians, but many may be surprised to learn that AAA travel experts can offer exclusive vacation bundles, including hotel deals, theme park admissions, and family-focused savings,” said Montrae Waiters, AAA-The Auto Club Group spokeswoman.
AAA is forecasting a record 19 million Americans to take an ocean cruise in 2025, with the Caribbean emerging as the most popular cruise destination.
Favorite travel destinations
- Domestic: 54%
- Caribbean: 21%
- Europe: 16%
Spring travel trends
Spring is shaping up to be one of the biggest travel periods of the year. Nearly a third (32%) of Georgians plan to travel, making it the most popular holiday for travel according to AAA’s regional survey.
Top trips for Georgians
- Beach Destination: 49%
- Theme Park: 32%
- Road Trip: 25%
- Resort Vacation (All-Inclusive): 22%
Top U.S. domestic destinations
- Orlando, FL
- Ft. Lauderdale, FL
- Atlanta, GA
- Miami, FL
- New York City, NY
- Honolulu, HI
- Anaheim, CA
- Tampa, FL
- Chicago, IL
- Charlotte, NC
Top international destinations
- Rome, Italy
- London, England
- Paris, France
- Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Lisbon, Portugal
- Dublin, Ireland
- Oranjestad, Aruba
- Barcelona, Spain
- Tokyo, Japan
- Madrid, Spain
Travel costs on the rise
According to AAA’s booking data:
- Average roundtrip airfare is $820 for domestic cities, up 7% from last year, and $1,440 for international destinations, up 2%.
- Hotel stays in the U.S. are 8% more expensive, averaging $660, while international hotel stays are 4% cheaper, averaging $740.
- Rental cars in the U.S. remain about the same as last year, averaging $645, while international car rentals are 5% cheaper, averaging $615.
Reminder: ID requirement for 2025
As of May 7, all U.S. adults traveling domestically will need a REAL ID or another acceptable form of identification to board domestic flights and access federal facilities. Travelers can visit the REAL ID website to confirm whether their ID is compliant.
Plan with a professional
“Whether you’re planning a cruise, resort vacation, or weekend getaway, working with a trusted travel advisor like AAA’s team can offer added value,” said Haas. “They can tailor your vacation, inform you of required documents, and potentially unlock savings that you wouldn’t find elsewhere.”
AAA also recommends purchasing travel insurance to protect your vacation plans. According to the survey, 40% of Georgia travelers plan to buy travel insurance, with 21% still undecided.
Top reasons Georgians buy travel insurance:
- 57%: In case I need to cancel my travel plans
- 54%: In case I have flight issues
- 50%: In case severe weather affects my plans
- 45%: For international medical coverage
“Travel insurance helps protect you from the unexpected,” said Haas. “If you fall ill or are injured while overseas, it can help cover medical expenses. If your flight is canceled or luggage is lost, you’ll be glad you have insurance. We encourage travelers to work with a travel advisor to review policies and ensure they’re covered.”
