Tripadvisor’s seasonal "Fall Travel Index" reveals that more than half (54 percent) of Americans are planning to travel this fall (between September 1 and November 30). This is down 13 percent from the chronically busiest summer travel season, but notably up 4 percent from this past spring, and 10 percent higher than the number of people globally traveling this fall. Most people with travel plans aren’t settling for just one getaway with 63 percent planning to take two or more trips this fall, with long weekend trips (between two and five days) being the most common. This follows a summer when Americans finally fulfilled their travel plans, with 71 percent visiting new destinations for the first time.
Throughout the pandemic, travelers preferred outdoor and nature destinations, avoiding crowded tourist spots. Now, the Index revealed that the focus is gradually shifting back toward cities. In fact, big cities make up many of the top 10 destinations Americans are visiting this fall with Las Vegas topping the list, followed by New York City and Orlando.
Myrtle Beach, SC; Ocean City, MD; Honolulu; Nashville; Chicago; Miami Beach and Virginia Beach complete the top 10.
While the majority of Americans (84 percent) are staying in the U.S. for their fall trips, 16 percent are venturing out of the country. The most popular international destinations for Americans this fall are still relatively close to home: Cancun, Cabo San Lucas and Playa del Carmen, Mexico, respectively.
“Although most of us aren’t quite ready to vacation across the world, those who are traveling this fall are more willing to splurge,” said Val Anthony, lead research analyst at Tripadvisor, in a press release. “The average price for trips booked by Americans this fall is $776, compared to $588 globally, meaning Americans are spending significantly more on travel than the rest of the world. This could be a result of more family trips: ‘Family hotels’ are the most popular hotel style, while pools and ‘family rooms’ are among the most popular hotel amenities being searched on Tripadvisor in the U.S. right now.”
According to the Index, historical tours, sightseeing cruises, cultural tours and ghost and vampire tours are the most popular experience types (bookable tours, tickets and activities). Nearly two-thirds (60 percent) of U.S. travelers plan to book a tour or activity for their fall trip, rising to a massive 80 percent of Millennials with activities like haunted ghost tours and whiskey tastings trending.
The trending destinations for experiences this fall (places with the highest volume of experiences booked) are Nashville, Honolulu and Salem. The small Massachusetts town known for the infamous Salem Witch Trials welcomes visitors from near and far as soon as the leaves start changing colors, chock-full of tours and activities for lovers of all things spooky, including the most booked experience in the entire country this fall (“History & Hauntings of Salem Guided Walking Tour"). Additionally, the most popular fall hotel check-in date in the U.S. is October 31.
Other findings showed that Gen Z Americans are the most eager to travel this fall, with 62 percent planning to do so, which is followed by 60 percent of Millennials, 59 percent of Gen X, and just 40 percent of Boomers. Lahaina and Honolulu, Hawaii are the top two fastest growing destinations compared to fall 2020. Also, most fall trips will be between two-to-five nights long, with 53 percent of travelers reporting to take a trip of that duration. Seventeen percent will stay only one night, 22 percent will stay six-10 nights, and 7 percent will stay more than 10 nights.
Source: Tripadvisor
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