Fall Travel: Shifting Trends in Vacation Destinations, Spending, Trip Length

Labor Day weekend traditionally marks the close of the busy summer travel season, but, with consumers’ travel intent continuing to run remarkably high this year, who’s to say that this approaching autumn won’t be just as epic?

A new study conducted by award-winning travel insurance and assistance services company IMG (International Medical Group), based on an internal data analysis of its customers’ trip itineraries offers some intriguing insights into the trends that are emerging for Fall 2023.

Interestingly, booking and spending patterns have changing pretty significantly when compared with the same September-through-November period last year. Based on its review of nearly 40,000 members’ fall trip itineraries, IMG was able to predict travelers’ top 5 international destinations for the coming cooler-weather season:

1. Mexico
2. Aruba
3. Italy
4. The Bahamas 
5. Dominican Republic

Enjoying a drink on a beach in Aruba (Photo via Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon)

This reveals noteworthy shift from last year's data, with travelers heavily tending toward more tropical destinations—that is, with the exception of Italy, which has continued to be phenomenally popular with tourists throughout 2023. “The Boot” might as well have occupied an equatorial position itself this summer, as, along with other Southern European countries, it contended with a record-smashing heat wave that lasted weeks, with temperatures consistently surpassing 100°.

By way of comparison, travelers’ top five overseas destinations in 2022 were:

1. Italy 
2. Mexico 
3. Canada
4. Brazil
5. Spain

“Mexico is an incredibly popular destination for travelers throughout the entire year, and it’s no surprise that many people are wanting to escape somewhere warm and tropical like Aruba and the Bahamas as fall and winter approach,” Grant Hayes, IMG Director of International Sales – Travel, said in a release. “With hurricane season being in the fall, this is a top reason for travelers to purchase travel insurance for their trips.” 

Female tourist looking at the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute and Canale Grande in Venice, Italy. (photo via SHansche / iStock / Getty Images Plus)

Travelers will soon flock from places where sweater weather is setting in to more tropical environs and, interestingly, their vacations are set to last long this year than last. According to IMG, the planned duration of most customers’ fall trips is nine days—one day more than the average indicated among Fall 2022 travelers.

And, not only are they lengthening their stays, they’re also significantly increasing the amount of money they’re spending on their trips. Among its members, IMG noted an astonishing 47-percent increase in the average insured trip cost for Fall 2023 travelers, as compared to 2022.

Since their vacation investments are becoming more costly, more travelers this autumn are also opting to protect their plans by buying travel insurance policies. IMG has seen a 34-percent increase in travel protection plan purchases for trips departing between September 1 and November 30, 2023, as compared to the same period in 2022.

“A combination of longer trips and increased trip costs has led to more travelers seeking out travel insurance to protect their trip and investment,” said IMG Chief Operating Officer Amanda Winkle. “Travel insurance is the best way to protect yourself from financial losses should something unexpected happen before or during your trip.”

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