NEEDHAM, Mass.Aug. 17, 2022 — While most of the U.S. is still surviving high temps and enjoying sunny summer days, Labor Day will kick off the fall travel season in just a few weeks. Today, Tripadvisor released its 2022 Fall Travel Index to reveal what and where is hot for American travelers this upcoming season.

The study, which is based on a combination of Tripadvisor’s first party search and proprietary consumer sentiment data, shows that while the busy summer travel season is coming to an end, Americans’ appetite for vacations is not over. Six out of ten U.S. respondents (61%) say that they are planning a fall trip this year, even if how they travel might change.

Despite inflation, travel demand remains high

Transitioning from summer into fall, there are no indicators that travel demand, based on recent sentiment surveys, will subside any time soon amongst global travelers, especially Americans.

The Tripadvisor Fall Index survey indicates that nearly four out of ten (37%) Americans still intend to travel as planned this fall, regardless of inflation. This marks an increase from the previous summer survey released in May 2022, which indicated that 32% of Americans still intended to travel as planned. Globally, Tripadvisor has seen a similar increase from the same summer survey: 30% of travelers surveyed said they intend to travel as planned from June through August, with an increase of 34% saying they intend to travel as planned (from September through November), despite rising costs. While travel is seasonal, the month-over-month sentiment analysis further underscores that consumers still desire to travel despite inflation and fuel costs.

Because of the pent-up demand for vacation stemming from several years of pandemic restrictions keeping travelers close to home, Americans are cutting back elsewhere to ensure they can still budget a getaway. Half of Americans (50%) said that they plan to travel more this fall than they did during the same period last year and two thirds (66%) plan to spend more.

Cost of living crisis: Americans will still travel, albeit a bit differently

The Tripadvisor Fall Travel Index indicates that spiraling costs won’t deter Americans from traveling this upcoming season. More than one third (35%) will likely travel for shorter lengths of time and almost one quarter (24%) said that they will likely travel somewhere closer to home than previously planned.

Just as they are globally, continuously rising costs are prompting American consumers to alter their spending habits, inclusive of adjusting their travel plans. Two thirds (66%) of Americans ranked ‘Cost/Affordability’ as the priority criteria in the trip planning process and 45% say ‘Price’ influenced their travel dates, demonstrating that while travel is still on the books, further indicating inflation is top of mind.

Domestic travel reigns supreme, but long-haul flights are back

In keeping with the global trend indicated by this season’s Tripadvisor Travel Index, domestic trips remain the number one choice among US travelers; more than four-fifths (81%) of Americans and almost two-thirds (60%) of global travelers surveyed will opt for domestic travel this fall.

The top domestic destinations for this fall, as revealed by Tripadvisor site data are:

  1. Las Vegas, Nevada*
  2. New York, New York*
  3. Orlando, Florida*
  4. Honolulu, Hawaii*
  5. Lahaina, Hawaii
  6. Key West, Florida
  7. Nashville, Tennessee*
  8. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina*
  9. New Orleans, Louisiana
  10. Miami Beach, Florida*

(*Indicates cities that were also top 2021 domestic destinations)

However, a compelling trend rises to the top: long-haul air travel is back. Of those surveyed, more than 40% of American travelers will travel more than seven hours and nearly half (49%) plan to travel by plane. Also, more than half (56%) of Americans plan to take a trip of at least four nights this fall – one third (33%) plan to travel five or more nights – and Tripadvisor search underscores travel around the Labor Day holiday weekend to be the most popular time to get away. In comparison to the Fall 2021 Travel index which indicated that 68% of US travelers surveyed last year opted for staycation-style travel close to home accessible by car or train, this year’s Fall Travel Index clearly indicates that Americans are ready for major trips.

Americans crave sunshine: Mexico, Vegas & the Caribbean top the charts; Italy boasts the most trending destinations

The verdict is in: the perennial Mexican resort favorite, Cancun, is the most popular destination among Americans traveling this fall. Entertainment and nightlife mecca, Las Vegas, came out on top for the most searched domestic US destinations.

Of the locations which have seen the biggest year-on-year increase in searches on Tripadvisor by Americans for travel this fall, the dreamy Caribbean destination Turks & Caicos is at number one. Narrowing in on Labor Day weekend travel, NayaritMexico, on Mexico’s scenic Pacific Coast just north of Puerto Vallarta, tops the list for strongest year of year growth.

It’s no illusion that everyone on your Instagram feed was in Italy this summer: the Mediterranean country continues to dominate the top trending destinations this fall, with the picturesque cities ComoMonterosso al MareAmalfi and Sorrento among the top fifteen growing destinations for Americans this season. The emergence of trending destinations across the EU and APAC among US travelers this fall is credited largely to COVID-related travel restrictions relaxing, allowing for greater ease of travel.

What entices Americans to travel? Food and activities

When it comes to the most exciting components of a trip, the Tripadvisor Fall Travel Index revealed that the top five picks for Americans are food (54%), activities (52%), followed by people and scenery tied for third (48%) and weather (40%).

Almost one third (32%) said that the primary purpose of their trip is to enjoy dining and nightlife and nearly one quarter (24%) have booked restaurant reservations in advance.

With Americans indicating that the destination is the most memorable part of a trip, below Tripadvisor breaks down the top ten trending destinations for U.S. travelers this fall, along with a top-rated restaurant and experience to be had there.

Top Overall Trending Destinations for Fall

Fastest growing based on year over year growth

Destination

Highly-rated restaurant

Highly-rated thing to do

1.

Turks & Caicos

The Beach Club

4-Hour Catamaran Sail and Snorkel Tour from Grace Bay

2.

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

The Lounge

Cu Chi Tunnels from HCM City: Morning or Afternoon Guided Tour

3.

Singapore, Singapore

Jade

Lion City Bike Tour of Singapore

4.

London, United Kingdom

Bonoo Indian Tapas

High-Speed Thames River RIB Cruise in London

5.

Bangkok, Thailand

Sirimahannop

Chef designed Bangkok Food Tour for 8 Exclusive Guests

6.

Boracay, Philippines

Wave at Henann Regency Resort & Spa

Boracay Sunset Cruise

7.

Munich, Germany

Little London Bar & Grill

Oktoberfest Tour, reserved seats in tent with extra space, beer & food included

8.

Como, Italy

Piazza Roma Ristorante Como

Best of Lake Como Experience from Milan, Cruise and Landscapes

9.

Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Makars Gourmet Mash Bar

City Sightseeing Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

10.

Monterosso al Mare, Italy

Gastronomia San Martino

Sunset Cinque Terre Boat Tour with a traditional ligurian gozzo from Monterosso

11.

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Restaurant Bougainville

Amsterdam Canal Cruise in Classic River Boat With Drinks & Dutch Cheese

12.

Amalfi, Italy

Baglio Amalfi Italian Bistrò Cucina, Vino & Drinks

Amalfi Coast Private Boat Excursion from Positano, Praiano, Amalfi, Minori or Maiori

13.

Dublin, Ireland

SOLE Seafood and Grill

Cliffs of Moher Tour Including Wild Atlantic Way and Galway City from Dublin

14.

Sorrento, Italy

Trattoria dei Mori

Sorrento Farm and Food Experience including Olive Oil, Limoncello, Wine tasting

15.

Vancouver, Canada

Five Sails Restaurant

A Wok Around Chinatown: Culinary and Cultural Walking Tour Led by a Chef