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Tips from the Publisher: Where Americans are Heading

Mike Spring tells you what's hot for the current traveling season.

Frommer's is now the largest-selling guidebook publisher in North America, so a look at our best-seller list should give you a good sense of where Americans are heading this summer. If you want to go to the "hot" destinations, just follow Frommer's Top 25 list.

Year after year, our guide to Walt Disney World is our #1 seller--no surprise, as entertainment is the name of the game in travel today. The big surprise is #2. For years it's been Italy. This year, Hawaii has climbed to #2, having nudged Italy down to #3. This, in my opinion, is a direct result of 9/11, as Americans search for safe, familiar destinations without giving up their need for adventure. The popularity of Hawaii belies the notion that Americans are avoiding travel by plane.

Third on the Frommer's best-seller list is Las Vegas, which has more beds than Walt Disney World, in case you were wondering.

Fifth is a big surprise--Ireland. It was all the way down to #23 in 2001. Ireland is one of my favorite places on earth--a country for those romantic fools who know that only on a misty day can you see forever.

In at #6 is New York City, up from #16 in 2001--hard evidence that NYC is in everyone's hearts, and back on everyone's list of must-see destinations.

Would you expect Arizona to be #7? It was in the same position last year, drawing people largely to the Grand Canyon. Next is New Orleans at #8, up from #14, followed by Alaska, Paris, Mexico, Maui, Florida, France, London, Cancun--in that order. Caribbean is #18--proof that Americans are savvy enough to realize that the islands are great for summer bargains, with prices often slashed in half. Next comes Spain, followed by Germany, England, Costa Rica, and Caribbean Cruises.

Whether you go where the crowds go, or make a point of heading off of your own, have a great summer.

 

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