MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Our cold spell is one more incentive for a winter getaway and the nation’s biggest travel agency is seeing an increase in bookings.

Gail Weinholzer of AAA Minneapolis says bookings for January and February are up considerably over recent years.

“I think it’s not just the weather itself but the fact that people had put off traveling for a year or two because of the economy,” Weinholzer said.

The most popular destinations, according to Weinholzer, include the perpetual favorite Cancun, as well as the Dominican Republic.

Bookings on cruise lines also are up.

Although January and February are the most popular months for winter getaways, Weinholzer says March and April also are busy times for trips to warmer climates, especially during spring breaks at schools and colleges.