Fall Getaways Boosted By Favorable Travel Conditions

Fall getaways are poised to jump 40%, at least according to research numbers collected by Expedia. Fall travel means sweater weather, and the appeal of digging into hidden wardrobes and enjoying new surroundings without having to pin point the closest building with adequate A/C. 

The popular online travel agency noted searches for fall getaways are up 40% compared to the same timeframe last year, and that U.S. travelers are increasingly setting their sights on international destinations like Barbados, Ho Chi Minh City, London and Munich, which are all experiencing triple-digit increases in interest for fall travel. As flight prices tend to drop after the busy summer travel season, savvy travelers can take advantage of the savings fall brings.

Expedia’s new insights bring these recommendations for optimizing fall getaway travel:

Travel domestically during the week of September 26th, when average ticket prices are expected to be nearly 45% cheaper than they were during the summer months.

For international flights, travel during the week of October 10th, when average ticket prices are projected to be 20% lower than during summer.

Depart on a Tuesday or Wednesday instead of Monday to score the lowest fares.

“Many destinations are more affordable than they’ve been in months, making it the perfect time to have an authentic Oktoberfest experience in Munich or swap out the faux foliage for the real deal in New England,” said Christie Hudson, head of U.S. public relations for Expedia.

Best Fall Travel Deals: Fall Getaways

Fall travelers have a lot to choose from when it comes to saving on a shoulder season getaway. Below are some of the destinations offering the Average Ticket Prices now as opposed to the recent summer months:

1. Seattle – ATPs down more than 45%
2. Los Angeles – ATPs down more than 35%
3. Portland – ATPs down nearly 35%
4. Barcelona – ATPs down almost 30%
5. San Francisco – ATPs down more than 25%
6. London – ATPs down around 20%
7. San Diego – ATPs down 20%
8. Chicago – ATPs down around 20%
9. Rome – ATPs down about 15%
10. Paris – ATPs down about 15%
11. Cancun – ATPs down more than 10%
12. Mexico City – ATPs down more than 10%

Expedia: Top Destinations for Fall Getaways

Bolstered by the favorable exchange rate and the easing of travel restrictions compared to this time last year, European destinations are top of mind for fall travelers. Below are the trending hotspots for fall:

• Europe: London (+290%), Paris (+210%), Munich (+180%), Copenhagen (+150%), Dublin (+80%)
•  
• Asia / Oceania: Ho Chi Minh City (+630%), Singapore (+250%), Nepal (+235%), Seoul (+180%), Auckland (+95%)
•  
• Beaches near and far: Barbados (+3,360%), Orlando (+60%), Punta Cana (+40%) Orange County (+40%), Fort Lauderdale (+25%)
•  
• U.S. city breaks: New York City (+75%), Seattle (+55%), Washington D.C. (+45%) San Francisco (+35%), Boston (+30%)
•  

Meanwhile: Fall Getaways

TravelBoom, a data-driven digital marketing agency for hotels, resorts, and vacation rental companies, released its annual leisure travel trends study after recently surveying more than 2,000 travelers in 2022. The results reveal startling changes in the travel planning and booking behavior as impacted by rising costs, the overall economy, continuing COVID-19 risks, and technology.

The study examined travelers’ mindsets and behavior from the inception of the idea to travel all the way through to how they interact with their chosen destinations before, during, and after their stay. The metrics revealed: 

Rising costs are impacting travel plans. 36% of travelers say they may cancel planned vacations due to budget concerns.

Travelers are doing more online research than ever before. The average traveler looks at 5.5 websites during their booking process doing more research than ever before. 

Factors impacting travel plans are shifting

Transportation costs, amenities, and loyalty programs are just a few factors that can affect a traveler’s decision.

COVID-19 continues to influence travel. 55% of the population still considers the pandemic before booking travel. Only 13.5% of American leisure travelers say COVID-19 is a major influence on travel, compared to 45% of Canadian travelers. Showing that COVID-19 is continuing to make a significant impact on international travel.

Reviews have never been more important to travelers choosing where to stay. 82% of travelers will not book a property without having first read reviews.

Vacation rental sites are taking a bite out of the online travel agencies (OTA). VRBO and Airbnb are growing significantly in usage, at the expense of the OTAs such as Expedia.

“Leisure travel continues to be one of the most impacted industries in the post-pandemic period and consumers are very conscious of inflation, lingering COVID-19 concerns, along with high expectations for destinations and accommodations,” said Pete DiMaio, COO of TravelBoom. “This study allows us to better understand the consumer mindset and purchase journey so that we can adapt our marketing strategies to a greater impact.”