ORLANDO, Fla. — AAA says Orlando will be the No. 1 travel destination in the U.S. this Memorial Day weekend.

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And the numbers have shown it already with packed planes, beaches and amusement parks.

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Whether it’s locals or tourists spending the money, Visit Orlando officials said the area is on the economic upswing.

Padraig Tobin and his three boys are in Orlando from Ireland for the weekend.

Photos: Orlando projected to be top Memorial Day weekend destination in US

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Orlando projected to be top Memorial Day weekend destination in US

“Nothing like this at home,” Tobin said.

They’re part of the largest group of hotel bookings for Memorial Day weekend Orlando has seen since 2019, according to Visit Orlando.

Tobin says as inflation is high both here and overseas, they’re making changes to vacation on a lower budget this time around.

“Didn’t take a car, but we did Uber, so the services were very good and we’re happy about that,” Tobin said.

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Visit Orlando spokesperson Denise Spiegel said she’s excited things are bouncing back after the past couple of years, considering tourists make up more than half of the area’s sales tax dollars.

“These are funds that get into our local economy to build roads and schools, so this is critical,” Spiegel said.

Because of high prices across the board, locals are also packing the parks and beaches to save money on traveling.

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Visit Orlando said despite how high prices may go, it expects tourism will be a trend that’s going to continue rising all summer.

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