Ask RedWeek / September, 2021

Are people traveling for Thanksgiving in 2021?

I am trying to decide whether to use or post my Thanksgiving week for rent. Is COVID still putting a damper on holiday travel? If not, what are the most popular destinations for Thanksgiving travel in 2021?

As the holiday season approaches, we are keeping an eye on travel behaviors of the masses and how pandemic fluctuations affect vacation planning. We took a deeper look into booking trends for Thanksgiving 2021, so you can know what to expect this fall.

Worst of Delta Seems to Be Behind Us

As reports continue to surface regarding COVID rates, it looks as if the worst of Delta is behind us. Yes, the spike in cases was harrowing, but cases have already dropped rapidly in just a few weeks time (see chart below from Johns Hopkins University).

Looking at booking trends, it's clear travelers are responding and are ready to get out of their homes and vacation this holiday season — this may have something to do with the sharp decline we have already seen in the last few weeks.

Thanksgiving Bookings Already Doubled 2019; Trends Shifting

RedWeek.com is already seeing three times as many bookings for Thanksgiving 2021 as 2020, and twice as many bookings as 2019. The public is definitely ready to resume traveling, even if they are more cautious than before COVID entered our lives.

In 2020, as people were more hesitant to fly, stateside destinations took up the top of our charts during the holiday season. While warm-weather states like California, Florida, and Arizona were all in the top Thanksgiving spots of 2020, this year Aruba and Hawaii bounced back to the top of the list.

That does not mean that domestic travel is not a highly sought-after option this year, as Thanksgiving bookings for California, Florida, Arizona, and South Carolina continue to pour in. It seems that many people are beginning to feel more comfortable with air travel once again, while others prefer to take to the road.

One thing is for sure: though many are relieved and overjoyed to be able to visit loved ones once again, everyone has a different comfort level when it comes to traveling this holiday season.

Anyone still looking to get away for Thanksgiving still has some time to check out our collection of Thanksgiving 2021 rentals. Owners should get those Thanksgiving weeks posted now while there is still time.

If you're curious about which exact locations and resorts are performing this Thanksgiving holiday, review our Top 10 Resort lists below:

Top 10 Timeshare Resorts for Thanksgiving 2021

  1. Marriott's Aruba Surf Club; Palm Beach, Aruba
  2. Marriott's Newport Coast Villas; Newport Coast, California
  3. Marriott's Ko Olina Beach Club; Oahu, Hawaii
  4. Marriott's Maui Ocean Club; Maui, Hawaii
  5. Marriott's Aruba Ocean Club; Palm Beach, Aruba
  6. The Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas; Maui, Hawaii
  7. The Westin Nanea Ocean Villas; Maui, Hawaii
  8. The Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas North; Maui, Hawaii
  9. Marriott's Crystal Shores; Marco Island, Florida
  10. Marriott's Grande Vista; Orlando, Florida

Top 10 Stateside Timeshare Resorts for Thanksgiving 2021

  1. Marriott's Newport Coast Villas; Newport Coast, California
  2. Marriott's Crystal Shores; Marco Island, Florida
  3. Marriott's Grande Vista; Orlando, Florida
  4. Marriott's Ocean Pointe; Palm Beach Shores, Florida
  5. The Westin Kierland Villas; Scottsdale, Arizona
  6. Marriott's OceanWatch Villas at Grande Dunes; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
  7. Marriott's Canyon Villas at Desert Ridge; Phoenix, Arizona
  8. Marriott's Timber Lodge Tahoe; South Lake Tahoe, California
  9. Marriott's Lakeshore Reserve; Orlando, Florida
  10. Marriott's Desert Springs Villas II; Palm Desert, California

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