Discussions about holiday travel trends may not traditionally include the month of October, but 2021 isn't your typical year. This Halloween, October 31 is actually the busiest day for scheduled hotel check-ins this fall, according to new Tripadvisor data obtained by Travel + Leisure.
According to the site's seasonal Fall Travel Index, more than half (54 percent) of Americans are planning on traveling this autumn, a decrease of 13 percent from the busy summer season, but four percent higher than this past spring. And, our new attitude seems to be "why stop at one?". In fact, 63 percent of U.S. travelers intend to take two or more trips during the period between September 1 and November 30. The most common trip types being long weekend getaways that last two to five days.
While more remote and open-air destinations have dominated during the pandemic thus far, travelers are gradually being drawn back toward city stays. Actually, big cities claimed every spot in the top 10 spots most popular destinations among American travelers for this fall.
And, while the weather may be cooling off, you'll notice that about half of them are still sunbathing hotspots. In order, they are Las Vegas, Nevada; New York City, New York; Orlando, Florida; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; Ocean City, Maryland; Honolulu, Hawaii; Nashville, Tennessee; Chicago, Illinois; Miami Beach, Florida; and Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Most American travelers (84 percent) are staying stateside for their autumn getaways, but there are 16 percent who are planning to go abroad-just, not very far. The most popular international destinations among U.S. travelers for fall are just across the Mexican border: Cancun, Cabo San Lucas, and Playa del Carmen.
"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. "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."
When it comes to in-destination experiences, Americans are largely opting for historical tours, cultural tours, sightseeing cruises and, notably, ghost and vampire tours. Two of the top most-booked experiences happen to be in Salem, Massachusetts, the small town notorious for holding the 1692-93 Salem Witch Trials. The History & Hauntings of Salem Guided Walking Tour and The Salem Night Tour both made the top 10 list this year.
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