Tripadvisor has released its latest Seasonal Travel Index, revealing data and trends about what to expect for travel this autumn.
Although the popular summer vacation season is coming to a close, travel does not seem to be fading away, with 74% of American travellers surveyed reporting they will travel this season, well above the 61% planning to travel at the same time last year. Similarly, over half (52%) plan to travel more than they did last autumn and only 3% will travel less.
On trend with increased travel is a rise in international trips. While 65% of US travellers will stay domestic this fall, the remaining travellers set their sights on global destinations: more than a quarter (27%) will travel both internationally and domestically, and nearly one in ten (8%) have fully prioritized international travel over domestic this season. Notably, the share of international travel has recently surpassed pre-pandemic levels, a trend that’s been gradually rising over the past two years. Even for those staying in the US, the vast majority (80%) plan to travel over four hours from their home.
City breaks are most popular with travellers this autumn, as familiar favourites in Europe and Mexico continue to shine. In fact, most travellers (75%) plan to return to a destination they have visited before, as repeat destinations can give visitors a greater sense of security. That said, people want to explore these destinations in more depth, evidenced by the fact that “culture and sightseeing” is the number one trip type for Americans this season and interest in museums and cultural sites is on the rise. Plus, Tripadvisor first-party data indicates that travellers are keen to try more local tours and activities, booking new and elevated ways to experience classic attractions.
“Our first-party data shows that travellers are still focused on the near-term, as most trips being booked right now are for one month out, and the vast majority for 2023. However, the advanced planners booking their 2024 trips now are far more likely to be going internationally”, explained Alice Jong, Research and Insights Senior Analyst, Media at Tripadvisor. “With two in five travellers looking to make the most of seasonal discounts as cost of living continues to rise, taking a page out of the early planner’s book can yield savings: If you’ve yet to book your fall trip, the beginning of November is the most affordable time to visit some of the most popular destinations this season”, the analyst advised.
With this handy tip in mind, here are the most popular city break destinations for this season, according to Tripadvisor’s data:
