It’s that time of year again – thousands of U.S. college students and families will be traveling for spring break this month. Many cities in Florida are bracing for large crowds and already warning “spring breakers” about enforcing strict rules when it comes to bad behavior. The U.S. has also issued warnings for international travelers heading to countries like Mexico, Jamaica and the Bahamas.
Faculty experts at the George Washington University are available to offer insight, commentary and analysis on spring break travel trends and conversations. If you would like to speak with an expert, please contact GW Senior Media Relations Specialist Cate Douglass at [email protected].
Jungho Suh, a teaching assistant professor of management, is an expert in service management, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I), entrepreneurship, human resource issues in the service industry, sustainability & ESG reporting in the travel industry, digital platforms in tourism & hospitality, and gastronomy tourism.
Suh says: “Spring break travel in 2024 is set to exceed the pre-pandemic peak of 2019, marking a significant resurgence in tourism. The period sees a spike in US travel, from college students in mid-to-late March to families in late March and early April. Florida remains a prime destination, with Orlando leading, alongside Miami and Fort Lauderdale, as these locales brace for increased visitations with enhanced crowd management and responsible travel messaging. Internationally, European cities and Mexico, especially Cancun and San Jose del Cabo, attract spring breakers, alongside rising favorites in the Caribbean like Jamaica and Puerto Rico. Notably, cruise bookings have surged by 28% for this season (AAA data), reflecting a trend towards family-oriented vacations.”
Cevat Tosun is the Eisenhower Chair and Professor of Tourism Studies and Management and the director of the MS in Tourism, Hospitality and Event Management program at the George Washington University School of Business. Tosun is an educator, consultant, speaker, and researcher in the area of international tourism management. Tosun’s expertise includes sustainable tourism development, community participation in the development process, tourism policy and planning, destination management and marketing, and impacts of tourism development. He can discuss host (local community) and guest (tourist) relations alongside safe interaction with hosts while on holiday.
Larry Yu is a professor of hospitality management. His current research focuses on hotel market analysis, tourism product value chain analysis, tourist satisfaction and hospitality crisis management.
Yu says: “Responsible spring break travel – Spring break is an escape from rigorous academic studies and an experience of beaches, sun and parties. However, it is mindful that we travel responsively, safely and respect local community and its social norms/rules, leaving the least negative social footprint on local destinations while experiencing and enjoying the break.”
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