Take any flight heading to Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas and the feeling of excitement and anticipation is palpable.
The mood isn’t necessarily the same on departures.
The expectations of a trip to Las Vegas and all it has to offer are one reason why Club Med has named it North America’s happiest holiday destination for 2022.
“It turns out that ‘happy holidays’ isn’t just a term for the festive season,” the company writes on its blog. “This summer, we know that happiness on our getaways is key, and while some old-fashioned quality time with loved ones is a must, a trip to a spa or an exciting day trip and activity is always a good idea for a vacation dopamine boost.”
Using a nine-part scoring system, Club Med has determined Las Vegas is at the top of the list.
“Las Vegas is the place to be if it’s an adventure you’re after,” Club Med says. “This city also has a high safety score so you can feel at ease while exploring all Las Vegas has to offer.”
While most people think of Las Vegas as the Strip with its plethora of hotels, casinos, and entertainment, the region is home to so much more. Club Med has identified more than 40 daytime activities that make it more than a gambling, drinking, and show destination.
There is plenty of world-class golf, hiking, water sports, and even skiing at Mt. Charleston in the winter. It has also become a professional sports destination, with the NFL’s Raiders and NHL’s Golden Knights a big part of the region.
Club Med calls it perfect for visitors planning to make the most of their stay.
The complete list of North America’s top 10 happiest destinations is as follows:
- Las Vegas
- New Orleans
- Vancouver
- San Francisco
- Washington D.C.
- Los Angeles
- Portland
- Toronto
- Halifax
- Nashville
Club Med also has Las Vegas as the second happiest city on its worldwide list, topped only by Bali. Those are followed by New Orleans, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Budapest, Vancouver, San Francisco, Dubai, and Rio de Janeiro.
Multiple sources were used to rank the locations by Club Med. They include:
- Crime index
- Pollution index
- Safety index
- Cost of domestic beer in a restaurant
- Number of outdoor activities by 100,000 population
- Number of day trips by 100,000 population
- Number of spas and wellness centers by 100,000 population
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Happiness score from Nomadlist
The metrics were then averaged to get a final score for every destination considered, which included the 50 most visited locations for the region.
Club Med is hoping people looking for a fun vacation ponder the results when deciding on a destination.
“With the world’s happiest holiday destinations at your fingertips, you’re bound to have a stress-free holiday search and enjoy a relaxing or adventurous holiday to your liking,” it says.