Holiday Season and Travel Surge: 6 Stocks Set to Benefit

The holiday season brings a flurry of travel and spending, as millions of families and individuals embark on trips to reconnect and celebrate. With air travel, lodging, and vacation planning reaching seasonal peaks, companies across the travel and hospitality sectors stand to gain significantly. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), global air travel is expected to rebound to 90% of pre-pandemic levels this holiday season, signaling a robust recovery in the travel industry.

Several companies are positioned to benefit from this surge in holiday travel demand:

6 Stocks Poised to Capitalize on Holiday Travel

Name	Ticker	Last price   The last publicly stated price for one share of an investment, updated every approximately 20 minutes during market hours (usually business days between 9:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. ET).	Today   This is how much an investment's price has changed over the last day of active trading. For example, if an investment's price was $10 yesterday, and today it rose to $11, you'd see a 1 day change of 10%.	YTD   This is the performance of the investments since the start of the year, updated approximately every 20 minutes during market hours (usually business days between 9:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. ET).
Delta Airlines	DAL	$67.25	-0.36%	15.29% (1Y)
iShares Transportation Average ETF	IYT	$75.39	0.16%	12.4% (1Y)
Marriott	MAR	$296.00	-3.47%	8.68% (1Y)
Booking Holdings	BKNG	$5,027.20	-0.4%	2.63% (1Y)
Airbnb Inc	ABNB	$120.82	0.57%	-8.11% (1Y)
JetBlue	JBLU	$4.65	-1.27%	-37.83% (1Y)

Delta Airlines

YTD:

15.29% (1Y)

Last price: $67.25

iShares Transportation Average ETF

YTD:

12.4% (1Y)

Last price: $75.39

Marriott

YTD:

8.68% (1Y)

Last price: $296.00

Booking Holdings

YTD:

2.63% (1Y)

Last price: $5,027.20

Airbnb Inc

YTD:

-8.11% (1Y)

Last price: $120.82

JetBlue

YTD:

-37.83% (1Y)

Last price: $4.65

How to Invest in Holiday Travel Stocks

Investing in companies benefiting from holiday travel involves understanding their market dynamics and ability to cater to seasonal demand. Here’s how each company highlighted above is set to thrive during the holiday season:

Delta Air Lines (DAL)

Delta Air Lines is a major player in the airline industry, offering extensive domestic and international routes. The holiday season typically sees a significant rise in passenger volumes, and Delta’s focus on premium services and loyalty programs makes it a preferred choice for travelers. As demand for both leisure and family travel grows, Delta is well-positioned to capture increased revenues.

JetBlue Airways Corporation (JBLU)

JetBlue Airways, a prominent low-cost carrier in the United States, plays a significant role during the Thanksgiving travel season. The airline often increases its flight offerings to accommodate the surge in holiday travelers, particularly on popular routes to destinations like Florida, California, and the Caribbean. For instance, in previous years, JetBlue added 25 additional flights from the New York area to meet Thanksgiving demand. Investors may find JetBlue's proactive approach to holiday travel demand an interesting aspect of its operational strategy.

Marriott International (MAR)

Marriott International operates a wide array of hotels and resorts, catering to travelers in popular holiday destinations. With a robust loyalty program and diverse offerings—from budget-friendly stays to luxury resorts—Marriott sees strong holiday season occupancy rates. Its global footprint ensures it benefits from both domestic and international travel trends.

Booking Holdings (BKNG)

Booking Holdings, through platforms like Booking.com and Priceline, is a leader in online travel planning. The convenience of booking flights, accommodations, and car rentals in one place appeals to holiday travelers. Booking’s vast network and user-friendly interface make it a go-to platform during the peak travel season, driving increased volumes and revenue.

Airbnb (ABNB)

Airbnb provides unique accommodations that cater to travelers seeking home-like experiences during the holidays. From cozy cabins to city apartments, Airbnb’s wide range of listings makes it a popular choice for families and groups. With holiday travel typically including longer stays, Airbnb benefits from higher booking values during this season.

iShares U.S. Transportation ETF (IYT)

The iShares U.S. Transportation ETF provides exposure to a range of transportation companies, including airlines, railroads, and trucking firms, which are critical during the Thanksgiving travel surge. As millions of Americans hit the roads and skies to visit family and friends, demand for flights, fuel, and freight services spikes. This seasonal uptick in activity often benefits the transportation sector, making IYT a compelling choice for investors looking to capitalize on holiday-driven economic trends. The ETF offers a diversified way to gain exposure to the companies keeping America moving during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.

By investing in these companies, investors can gain exposure to the seasonal surge in travel and spending. As the world continues to recover from recent disruptions, the holiday season represents a pivotal period for growth in the travel and hospitality sectors.