Summer is underway and U.S. travelers are ready to celebrate the Independence Day holiday weekend. As vaccination numbers increase and COVID restrictions have eased or lifted in many states, hotel stays are being booked further in advance of any holiday since the beginning of the pandemic.
According to travel technology firm Amadeus, all of the top 10 markets for Independence Day weekend travel were over 68% occupancy two weeks prior to the holiday. Current overall U.S. occupancy leading up to the holiday is 37%, which is a 236% increase over 2020.
At the height of the pandemic, the U.S. saw ADR decline to $94 in April 2020. Looking ahead to the 2021 Independence Day holiday, ADR is currently at $170 for the region, a 25% improvement over the 2020 holiday performance and closely aligned with pre-pandemic levels seen in 2019.
The top 10 markets are in Hawaii; Florida; beach destinations in Maryland and South Carolina; and cities close to national parks. Two weeks prior to the…