The Most Surprising Fall Travel Destination Trends This Year

Image: Travel is back in a big way this fall. (Photo via wmaster890 / iStock / Getty Images Plus)
Image: Travel is back in a big way this fall. (Photo via wmaster890 / iStock / Getty Images Plus)
Noreen Kompanik
by Noreen Kompanik
Last updated: 12:39 PM ET, Fri November 4, 2022

According to travel insurance comparison company Squaremouth, this fall travel season is outpacing last year by more than 38 percent. After analyzing data from thousands of travelers, the company revealed a handful of notable findings at they pertain to fall travel.

International Travel Returns to Its Pre-COVID Peak

Travelers are once again heading overseas. So much so that international travel has increased by 48 percent compared to this time last year. Though domestic trips seem to have hit a plateau, international travel has surged, resulting in 88 percent of travel insurance policies being purchased for international travel.

Caribbean Countries Find Competition

At the height of the pandemic, Caribbean destinations saw the majority of fall travelers. But as worldwide travel has resumed and European countries have reopened their borders or eased entry requirements, destinations like the U.K., Italy, Spain and France are once again on the leaderboard of most popular fall destinations.

Portugal is Now a Top European Destination

Portugal is gaining popularity, and for the first time has become one of the top 10 most popular European destinations, Squaremouth found.

Traveler Spending Reaches All-Time High

More than ever before, fall travelers are spending more money on their vacations. This year's average trip cost came in at $4,286, a 20 percent increase from last year and a 19 percent increase from the pre-pandemic year of 2019.

Egypt and Australia Are Priciest Destinations

Overall, international travel spending has increased by over 21 percent since last year, fueled by high-priced international vacations. Of Squaremouth's 20 most popular fall destinations, Egypt and Australia come in as the priciest, with average trip costs of $6,530 and $6,256 respectively.


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Noreen Kompanik

Noreen Kompanik

Noreen Kompanik is a San Diego based journalist who is also the co-owner and publisher of Rovology, Travel By Vacation Rental and Book Cottages magazines. She transitioned to freelance writing after spending 35 years as a registered nurse. She is also a regular contributor to Europe Up Close, GoNOMAD, Edible San Diego, International Living, and San Diego Explorer. When she’s not home in sunny San Diego, you’ll likely find her in an exotic beach destination or exploring the backroads of Europe. You can find her on social media as @noreenwriter.

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