Bridgewater College students were anonymously surveyed to find out what influenced their spring break travel destinations. They highlighted international adventures and their nearby getaways, contributing to the evolving landscape of spring break travel.
One student from Bridgewater’s campus embarked on a trip to India, relishing in the country’s culture and historical landmarks. Another student was attracted to the Bahamas, offering crystal-clear waters and a serene environment.
International travel to destinations like Rome, London, and Paris have become increasingly popular travel destinations in the spring for Americans. This is part of a national uptick in people traveling from the United States to Europe (20%).
Several students sought out domestic beach getaways, including Miami, Florida, and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. These destinations emerged as popular choices among Bridgewater students, continuing the national pattern of beach locations being favored sites for spring break. Booking data indicates that cities in Florida like Orlando, Miami and Fort Lauderdale are among this season’s top destinations for beach spring breakers.
Some students opted to remain close to home and experience the history and culture of the United States. Visits to cities in the Eastern Virginia region like Williamsburg and Yorktown, Virginia, were very popular travel spots for students at Bridgewater.
Urban centers, like the larger cities in Northern Virginia that students visited, saw 28% of traveler’s deciding to take their spring break to major metropolitan areas. Atlanta, Georgia, and New York City, New York, stand out as the two most visited metropolitan cities that are both rich in culture and entertainment.
The majority of students, however, decided to spend their spring break at home visiting with family and friends. Many students preferred to return to their homes in Virginia, Maryland, and North Carolina.
Though this trend could be due to a need for hospitality and familiarity as students are in need of an academic reset, notable shifts to the 2025 travel landscape may also have a part to play. Projected spring break costs are forecasted to be the highest on record, with trip budgets seeing an average 26% increase.
Other spring break travel trends that have taken off for spring break include things like solo travel to combat the issue of price. These are typically longer trips, prioritizing leisure because of the affordability.
An increasing number of spring break travelers have also decided to bring their pets along to vacation with them. Searches for pet-friendly housing accommodations have spiked 30% compared to the numbers from last year.
The traditional domestic locations will always remain prominent vacation spots due to the undemanding nature of visiting them, but there is noticeable interest in traveling abroad. Cities like Basel, Switzerland, and Ubatuba, Brazil, saw a surge in spring break bookings, indicating travelers may be looking for new experiences.
Overall, Bridgewater College students preferred to remain at home over spring break, with about 62% of the students surveyed responding that they did not travel. Students experiencing financial hardship may be less inclined to travel for spring break due to the increasing cost.
