Summer send-offs: Top 10 Labor Day destinations

Las Vegas is the second most popular destination in the Orbitz Labor Day 2011 Index. Credit: http2007.

By Valerie Moloney

When it comes to travelers’ preferences for Labor Day, it’s a big-city trifecta in the top spots. The Orbitz Labor Day 2011 Index reveals Las Vegas, New York City and Chicago holding the first 3 positions for the last long weekend of the summer vacation season.

The index* tracked average airfare and average nightly hotel rates as well the most popular, booked destinations.

Cities with the best hotel room rates over Labor Day weekend included Denver ($89 per night), Atlanta ($98 per night) andOrlando ($104 per night).
For value-priced flights, Orlando boasted the most affordable fare, with an average roundtrip airfare of $240, followed by Atlanta ($269) and Boston ($286).
Four cities have grown in popularity over last year: Denver (#5 to #4), Orlando to (#8 to #7), Boston (#9 to #8) and Los Angeles (#10 to #9).
Slipping in popularity this year were Atlanta (#7 to #10) and Seattle (#4 to #5).

*The city ranking is based on air + package + hotel bookings on Orbitz.com for travel from Friday – Monday of Labor Day weekend. The average hotel rates are based on standalone hotel bookings on Orbitz. The airfare is based on standalone airfare bookings on Orbitz. All are based on bookings made as of Aug. 1, 2011.

Orbitz Insider Index: Top 10 Labor Day Weekend Destinations – 2011*

1.New York
Average fare: $329
Average daily rate: $229
2. Las Vegas
Average fare: $325
Average daily rate: $114

3. Chicago
Average fare: $313
Average daily rate: $139

4. Denver
Average fare: $310
Average daily rate: $90

5. Seattle
Average fare: $346
Average daily rate: $134

6. San Francisco
Average fare: $386
Average daily rate: $148

7. Orlando
Average fare: $240
Average daily rate: $104

8. Boston
Average fare: $286
Average daily rate: $162

9. Los Angeles
Average fare: $368
Average daily rate: $135

10. Atlanta
Average fare: $269
Average daily rate: $98

Tagged: Hotels