Like every year, Spring Break 2010 will send college students to vacation destinations where they hope to meet others and party.  This year, because so many students have been affected by the recession, many are seeking alternative, cheaper Spring break vacations, or are scaling back their Spring break plans.  So where will you find the most Spring Breakers this year?

One of the hottest Spring Break destinations for 2010 is the Bahamas.  Why?  Most of this just has to do with marketing.  Other previously popular Spring Break destinations, like Daytona Beach, Florida, have made a conscious efforts not to market to college students, and instead have spent their travel marketing dollars going after older, luxury travelers with fatter wallets.

In contrast, the Bahamas have been marketed heavily to college students as the ideal Spring Break destination.  Fully aware that the recession has made Spring Break less of a reality for many students, the Bahamas have gained a reputation for offering some of the best all-inclusive travel deals in the market to students.

Another popular 2010 Spring Break destination is South Padre Island, Texas.  Because it’s become a little more difficult to get a U.S. passport, and because a plane ticket sure seems like a luxury to many students these days, domestic locations for Spring Break are more popular than ever – and this beach lover’s paradise has become a Spring Break Mecca.

This year many college students are forgoing the traditional beach side Spring Break in lieu of more affordable alternatives.  Las Vegas is becoming increasingly popular as a Spring Break destination because savvy travelers know that Vegas is the place for deals on hotel rooms, food, and other vacation essentials because the casinos keep these prices low to lure gamblers into town.

According to STA Travel, a leader in U.S. student travel packages, some of the other most popular U.S. Spring Break locations this year are:

Panama City, Florida

Miami, Florida

Orlando, Florida

San Diego, California

Scottsdale, Arizona