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30 Most Affordable Winter Vacations in the US

In This Article:

In this article, we shall discuss the 30 most affordable winter vacations in the US. To skip our detailed analysis of some of the innovation taking place within the tourism industry in 2023, go directly and see 10 Most Affordable Winter Vacations in the US.

According to Bloomberg, the global tourism industry will reach valuations of more than $15.5 trillion and will make up to 11.6% of the global economy by 2033. This represents a 50% growth over its $10 trillion valuation in 2019, when the industry made up merely 10.4% of the global GDP. Within the incoming decade, the travel industry is expected to employ more than 430 million people globally, accounting for roughly 1 of every 9 jobs across the world. Although experts expect the global GDP to grow on an annualized basis of more than 2.5% per annum, the travel sector is expected to post growth of 5.1%. As of 2023, the largest market for the industry globally is the United States which churns out more than $2 trillion in total economic output each year and houses some of the most affordable winter vacations. However, according to the report, China is increasingly well positioned to dethrone the United States within the next ten years and emerge as one of the largest markets for inbound tourism in the world. For more on the global tourism outlook, check out our coverage of the 25 Best US Cities for Solo Female Travelers.

Before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019, Chinese travelers represented more than 14% of global outbound travel spending. However, extended border restrictions and passport and visa processing hold-ups have resulted in a delayed return to international tourism for Chinese travelers. A recent report by Morgan Stanley highlights that many of the hurdles restraining Chinese tourists have been sorted and tourists from mainland China are expected back into the market in droves. This has caused tourism companies like Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG), Airbnb Inc. (NASDAQ:ABNB), and Expedia Group Inc. (NASDAQ:EXPE) to ramp up investments into the Asia-Pacific region. There has been a marked increase in luxury retail, travel, hotels, and restaurant businesses especially in the most affordable winter vacations in the US. By 2033, Bloomberg estimates China's travel sector to contribute more than $4 trillion to the global economy and that it will constitute more than 14% to the Chinese economy. By contrast, the US is expected to lag behind, contributing merely $3 trillion to the global GDP.

The Promise of AI: An Analysis

Technological innovation and adoption is the hallmark of an industry on the rise and the global tourism industry is no different. According to an article by McKinsey and Company, innovation in the development of artificial intelligence, including generative AI (gen AI) and machine learning (ML), are equipping tourism companies like Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG), Airbnb Inc. (NASDAQ:ABNB), and Expedia Group Inc. (NASDAQ:EXPE) to deliver increasingly personalized and customized solutions to consumers, allowing them to tailor their experiences according to their personal preferences, requirements, budgets, and overall orientations. This rampant increase in technological innovation within the industry is opening the door for tourism companies to reevaluate their interactions and day-to-day operational capabilities to better cater to customers, develop effective products and services, and efficiently manage operations. Furthermore, consumers have not been left entirely bereft of advancements in AI and have transformed expectations accordingly. Since 2014, average duration spent on digital devices has skyrocketed by more than 75 percent, with the trend only increasing during the pandemic as online interactions became a necessity.