Shoulder season is no more.
Well, at least for right now. Time will tell if the traditional shoulder season ever returns. September and October used to be a time for fewer crowds, perhaps even some lower prices or deals.
In 2023, the crowds have not slowed down. The prices remain unpredictable. Sure, there have been deals, like flight sales from Southwest and JetBlue, but the idea of a crowd-free vacation to Europe or seemingly anywhere else these days is gone.
I am currently in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic for our next TravFORUM event (follow me and the TravePulse social media pages for the highlights!).
Flying out of Atlanta on Sunday morning, there were more people this time than there were just two weeks ago when I was flying out on a Sunday morning to Jamaica. It was definitely more crowded than what I saw flying during the 2022 shoulder season.
Americans are using those vacation days and not letting price points or crowds impact their decisions. They want to travel, so they are. And they’re traveling more too. People who took summer vacations are venturing out again this fall.
We love to see it for the growth of the travel industry, but anyone who wants to avoid crowds will have to get crafty with their destination selections.
That’s just another reason why it’s so important to work with a travel advisor.
We bid farewell to the concept of a shoulder season this year, and frankly, I’m not sure it will ever return to what it once was before the pandemic.
What say you?
Let me know your thoughts on Twitter and Instagram: @EricBowman_
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