Americans Put London at The Top of Their Holiday Wish List For The First Time in Almost a Decade

Allianz Partners Reveals Top 10 Destinations for the Winter Holidays: New York City Sleighs the Rankings while London Sees 44% Increase in Booking Searches

 

Richmond, Virginia, December 1, 2022 – Travel has been making a resounding return, and searches for winter holiday plans are up 17% compared to 2021 according to Allianz Partners USA‘s Top 10 Holiday Destinations survey.

After reviewing almost 3 million itineraries* for roundtrip flights departing from U.S. airports beginning Saturday, December 17 and returning by Thursday, December 29, the travel insurance and assistance company found that 89% of the itineraries reviewed are for domestic travel and 11% are for international trips, and also revealed the top destinations for holiday travelers.  

 

New York City continues its reign as the number one domestic destination for American travelers this holiday season, followed by Seattle (#2), Orlando (#3), Phoenix (#4) and Los Angeles (#5).

 

Holiday jetsetters opting for an international getaway are setting their sights on Mexico, with Cancun (#1) and San Jose Del Cabo (#2) drawing in the highest number of visitors for the third year in a row. While Mexico held all three top positions for the past two years thanks to its easy access and warm weather allure, Americans have other plans for 2022, as London, England captures the #3 international ranking. This year marks the first time London is back on the podium since the survey’s inception in 2015 when it was ranked the number one international destination for U.S. travelers.

 

“This past spring, our data reported a staggering 600% increase in summer travel to Europe as countries re-opened for visitation, and it’s wonderful to see that trend endure with the resurgence of travel to London for the holiday season,” says Daniel Durazo, director of external communications at Allianz Partners USA. “As travelers recommit to beloved holiday getaways both domestic and international, they should consider purchasing travel insurance to protect pre-paid travel investments from unpredictable events like trip cancellations or interruptions, travel delays, and baggage issues that can sour holiday cheer faster than expired eggnog.” 

 

In March 2021, Allianz Partners announced enhancements** to many of its travel insurance products in most states through an Epidemic Coverage Endorsement. Products that include this endorsement may provide coverage to customers who become ill with COVID-19 or a future epidemic, are individually ordered to quarantine, or are denied boarding due to a suspected illness. These products also may cover emergency medical care and transportation or provide reimbursement for change fees and loyalty points deposit fees if the customer becomes ill with an epidemic disease. Availability of the Epidemic Coverage Endorsement, and specific covered reasons under that endorsement, varies by product and by state. See your plan for details.

 

Allianz Partners offers travel insurance through most major U.S. airlines, leading travel agents, online travel agencies, hotel companies, cruise lines and directly to consumers. For more information on Allianz and available travel policies, please visit http://www.allianztravelinsurance.com/.

*Methodology: The data of U.S. travelers’ 2022 holiday plans was gathered by analyzing the number of customers that went through the online booking process of airfare and package paths for partners offering Allianz Global Assistance travel insurance, to generate itineraries for roundtrip flights departing from U.S. airports from 12/17/2022 –12/28/2022, returning 12/18/2022 – 12/30/2022. In total, just over 2.8 million itineraries were analyzed using this methodology.

Allianz Partners Holiday Travel Data: Where Americans Are Traveling

 

About Allianz Partners

In the United States, Allianz Partners USA (AGA Service Company) offers Allianz Travel-branded travel protection plans and serves millions of customers each year. In addition to travel protection, the company offers event ticket protection, registration protection for endurance events and unique travel assistance services such as international medical assistance and concierge services. AGA Service Company is doing business as Allianz Global Assistance Insurance Agency in California (License # 0B01400) and Massachusetts. Allianz Partners USA is part of the Allianz Partners group. Allianz Partners is a world leader in B2B2C insurance and assistance, offering global solutions that span international health and life, travel insurance, mobility and assistance. Customer driven, our innovative experts are redefining insurance services by delivering future-ready, high-tech, high-touch products and solutions that go beyond traditional insurance. Present in over 75 countries, our 19,400 employees speak 70 languages, handle over 58 million cases each year, and are motivated to go the extra mile to offer peace of mind to our customers around the world.

** While the new Epidemic Coverage Endorsement adds certain covered reasons that apply to specific epidemic-related situations, products otherwise generally do not cover claims due to known, foreseeable, or expected events, epidemics, government prohibitions, warnings, or travel advisories, or fear of travel, and coverage can vary by state. Please see our Coverage Alert for information about other temporary accommodations that may be available. Benefits for quarantines only apply when an eligible traveler is specifically named and individually ordered to quarantine by order or official directive of a government, public regulatory authority, or the captain of a commercial vessel on which that eligible traveler is booked to travel during the covered trip, based on that eligible traveler’s exposure to COVID-19. The benefit does not cover travel restrictions (whether or not they are referred to as “quarantine”) that apply generally or broadly (a) to some segment or all of a population, geographical area, building, or vessel (including without limitation shelter-in-place, stay-at-home, safer-at-home, or other similar restriction), or (b) based on to, from, or through where the person is traveling. Coverage may not cover the full cost of your quarantine and is subject to applicable benefit limits. See your plan for details.

For Allianz Partners USA products offered and sold in the U.S.: Terms, conditions, and exclusions apply to all plans. Plans are available only to U.S. residents. Not all plans are available in all jurisdictions. Availability of Epidemic Coverage Endorsement, including specific benefits and covered reasons described here, varies by product and by state. Products may not include all benefits or covered reasons described here. All benefits are subject to maximum limits of liability, which may in some cases be subject to sublimits and daily maximums. Benefits and limits vary by plan. For a complete description of the coverage and benefit limits offered under your specific plan, carefully review your plan’s Letter of Confirmation/Declarations and Certificate of Insurance/Policy. Insurance coverage is underwritten by BCS Insurance Company (OH, Administrative Office: Oakbrook Terrace, IL), rated “A” (Excellent) by A.M. Best Co., under BCS Form No. 52.201 series or 52.401 series, or Jefferson Insurance Company (NY, Administrative Office: Richmond, VA), rated “A+” (Superior) by A.M. Best Co., under Jefferson Form No. 101‐C series or 101‐P series, depending on state of residence. A+ (Superior) and A (Excellent) are the 2nd and 3rd highest, respectively, of A.M. Best’s 13 Financial Strength Ratings. Except as otherwise specified, AGA Service Company d/b/a Allianz Global Assistance is the licensed producer and administrator of Allianz Travel-branded travel protection plans in the U.S. and an affiliate of Jefferson Insurance Company. Allianz Global Assistance is a mark of AGA Service Company or its affiliates. The insured shall not receive any special benefit or advantage due to the affiliation between Allianz Global Assistance and Jefferson Insurance Company. Plans include insurance and assistance services. Noninsurance benefits/products are provided and serviced by Allianz Global Assistance.