Dr. Patrick Andrae, Co-founder & CEO, HomeToGo: "After a summer marked by high demand for vacation rentals and international getaways, we were eager to learn more about what’s in store for the fall and winter seasons. We know the desire to travel can overcome a lot of obstacles and we see the resilience of vacation rentals this fall-winter as travelers continue to crave authentic and affordable getaways. We also see the lasting impact of flexible working policies on increasing travel for the fall shoulder season travel, as well as an anticipated busy winter high season ahead.”
With insights gathered from travelers using HomeToGo to book fall-winter vacations, as well as an external survey of U.S. travelers, the key trends and developments include:
- Busier fall and winter for U.S. travelers: Four out of five U.S. travelers (80%) surveyed said they have overnight travel plans in the next six months.
- Fall foliage destinations are seeing the largest uplift in search demand: More travelers are packing their hiking shoes and heading to cities known for their vibrant fall colors, especially those in Colorado, Upstate New York, Maine, and Kentucky.
- Fall travel rises as a key shoulder season: During what is typically a quieter travel season, HomeToGo has observed a +28% annual uplift in vacation rental searches by U.S. travelers for trips between September and November.
- 52% of surveyed travelers state their travel plans are not impacted by rising costs: Despite rising costs of living, more than half of travelers do not plan to sacrifice on travel.
- Accommodations are one of the most resilient travel categories amidst inflation: When looking to save money, travelers are more likely to look for cost savings on transportation (e.g. flights), food and drink, or activities ahead of opting for less expensive accommodations.
