National Plan for Vacation Day (NPVD) is Tuesday, January 27, 2026. It takes place annually on the last “Travel Tuesday” in January as a day to encourage Americans to plan their vacation days for the entire year at the start of the year. Creating memories and savoring experiences are popular travel trends, and celebrating an official day to book travel allows travelers to prioritize time with loved ones by reserving vacations in advance, which can also save money while offering better choices for flights, accommodations, and amenities that could be sold out later in the year.

After record breaking travel for every holiday in 2025, 2026 is expected to be another busy year at airports, resorts, and on cruise ships. After a better-than-expected cruise year in 2025, AAA projects 21.7 million Americans will go on ocean cruises in 2026, up from 20.7 million last year, which is more than 4.5% growth.

Another travel trend for 2026 celebrates the nation's 250th anniversary. AAA is saying ‘Cheers to 250 Years’ with a lineup of exclusive trips to patriotic and historic sites, which are expected to draw an influx of tourists this year. Other popular trips include river cruising, National Parks, multi-generational travel, adventure travel, health and wellness themed trips, and a continued focus on celebration travel for all of life’s milestones with family and friends.

“Carving out time to make memories is so important, and National Plan for Vacation Day encourages just that. It’s the perfect time to look over the calendar and commit to a well-deserved trip,” said Josie Nicotra, Director of Travel at AAA Western and Central New York. “And AAA is ready to make the process a simple one with professional travel advisors who are ready to guide travelers every step of the way — before, during, and after their trip. We encourage everyone to visit AAA to explore vacation options and special savings.”

With winter weather in Western and Central New York, it’s easy for area residents to dream about a getaway, but NPVD is a reminder to make that a reality before time slips away. Studies show that each year, Americans leave more than 600 million vacation days unused. Workaholics may feel trapped at their desks in stressful environments, but research proves that vacations are important to unwind and recharge, which is beneficial to mental health and workplace productivity. Plus, workers earn vacation days, so they’re entitled to use them. Planning is the key to taking time off and traveling or simply relaxing.

Studies show that when it comes to taking a vacation, planners are more likely to have a satisfying vacation – they’re more likely to take all their vacation time in a given work year and take more extended vacations than non-planners. They are also happier with their jobs, relationships, and health. So now is the time to get planning, and AAA travel advisors are on standby to assist in making those vacation dreams a reality.

AAA recommends working with a travel advisor to help plan a vacation complete with travel insurance. To get started and to learn more, visit AAA.com/Travel.