Louisville on the rise as a Memorial Day travel destination, new analysis shows
Louisville will be the hot spot for travel in May with the Kentucky Derby and PGA Championship, but new data shows River City is becoming an increasingly sought-after travel destination for Memorial Day weekend.
According to a news release from Chase Travel, travel to Louisville during the holiday weekend saw 48% year-over-year increase in tourism traffic in 2023, trailing behind destinations like Tokyo, Madrid and Lima, Peru. Traffic in 2024 could spike even further thanks to the new Gazebo Festival, sponsored and co-headlined by native Jack Harlow.
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The release also revealed an increase in travel for sporting events and concerts, as well as the busiest travel days near Memorial Day. Here's what we know:
Top travel destinations for Memorial Day
According to Chase Travel, the top travel destinations for Memorial Day are:
Lima, Peru: Up 184%
Osaka, Japan: Up 111%
Tokyo: Up 67%
Madrid: Up 60%
Anchorage, Alaska: Up 59%
Edinburgh, Scotland: Up 53%
Louisville: Up 48%
Salt Lake City: Up 47%
Calgary, Alberta, Canada: Up 44%
Mexico City: Up 44%
What are the busiest travel days around Memorial Day?
The busiest travel days are on Memorial Day, which falls on May 27 in 2024, and the Friday prior to the holiday.
When are the most hotels booked around Memorial Day weekend?
Hotels are most often booked on Friday and Saturday before Memorial Day, which are May 24-25 this year.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Memorial Day tourism on the rise in Louisville, new report shows