Where are travelers planning getaways for fall and winter? After a hot, sunny, and exciting summer season, travelers are setting their sights on fall adventures and winter escapes. To learn more about how and where travelers are taking vacations this year, HomeToGo has tapped into its wealth of internal search data, combined with a survey of U.S. and international travelers, to uncover the trip trends on the horizon for the 2023 autumn and 2024 winter seasons.
Forecast Brrr-eakdown ❄️
- The colder months are heating up: 72% of travelers are planning trips for the autumn and winter, a significant jump compared to 55% in 2022/2023.
- International travel is in-demand: Nearly half (49%) of surveyed travelers planning getaways for this autumn and winter are looking for stays abroad.
- Looking for ways to save on autumn and winter getaways: Compared to previous years, 70% of vacationers said they have more desire to save money while traveling.
- Autumn Intelligence: When it comes to planning vacations, 63% of travelers are considering using AI tools, like HomeToGo’s AI Mode, to help them decide where to go and what to book.
- Setting sights on summer 2024: Looking ahead, 40% of travelers have started planning trips for summer 2024
U.S. Trends 🇺🇸
- U.S. travelers are especially keen to get away: 88% of travelers say that they plan to take at least one overnight trip this autumn and winter.
- Holidays in the hills: American travelers are more eager to visit mountain destinations (48%) this autumn and winter, followed by picturesque small towns (38%) and bustling cities (33%) for weekend getaways.*
- Snow much to explore: When asked about their ideal travel experiences this fall and winter, American travelers said they would most like to visit holiday markets (51%), celebrate Oktoberfest (32%), and see the northern lights (31%), followed by spending their vacations on a beach (25%).*
*multiple answers possible
#1. The colder months are heating up
Our research shows that eagerness to plan getaways during the quieter, colder months is increasing. A substantial 72% of international travelers surveyed have already booked or are in the process of planning their autumn and winter trips for this year. This is a significant increase compared to the same period last year, when only 55% were planning trips for these seasons.
U.S. travelers are especially keen to getaway - A staggering 88% are planning at least one overnight getaway this autumn and winter. According to U.S. travelers searching on HomeToGo for overnight stays this fall and winter, the most in-demand destinations are mainly warm, sunny cities on the coast.
Top searched U.S. destinations for fall and winter
Median Nightly Price: $385.35
Median Nightly Price: $287.66
Median Nightly Price: $271.38
#2. International travel is in-demand
International travel is taking off this season. Our research indicates that a substantial 49% of international travelers are actively seeking stays abroad this autumn and winter. HomeToGo has also seen a +10pp YoY increase in the share of searches for international destinations.
Trending international getaways, based on U.S. search demand
Destination
Search Trend vs. 2022
Malta
210.50%
Malaga, Spain
115.14%
Gran Canaria, Spain
66.28%
Whistler, Canada
51.88%
Puerto del Carmen, Spain
45.35%
Oaxaca, Mexico
41.45%
Florence, Italy
37.52%
Rome, Italy
24.53%
#3. Looking for ways to save on travel
Travelers are getting more savvy with their spending this season, finding ways to make their vacation money go further. Rather than giving up their travel plans, 70% of travelers are looking for more ways to cut costs on travel this autumn and winter.
When asked about how they are planning to save on costs while traveling this autumn and winter:
#4. Setting sights on summer 2024
It appears that the travel bug has bitten early this year for many adventurers, with an impressive 40% of vacationers already turning their attention to the summer of 2024.
For budget-savvy travelers looking to get the jump on planning their getaways for next summer, here are HomeToGo's most affordable U.S. destinations based on 2024 pricing:
Destination
State
Median Nightly Price
Franconia
New Hampshire
$130.26
Athens
Georgia
$130.26
Sedalia
Missouri
$153.06
Falmouth
Massachusetts
$161.74
Amarillo
Texas
$169.34
Little River
South Carolina
$170.42
Plymouth
Massachusetts
$172.59
Prescott Valley
Arizona
$189.96
Orange Park
Florida
$185.62
Myrtle Beach
South Carolina
$192.13
#5. AI: Autumn Intelligence
Eager to find easier, more effective ways to plan their travels, there's a growing curiosity among travel enthusiasts towards artifical intelligence tools, as highlighted by HomeToGo’s research. With 63% of those surveyed inclined to harness the power of artificial intelligence to help plan their trips, it's clear that travelers are open to embracing these innovative tools as aids in shaping their journeys.
#6. Holidays in the hills
American travelers appear to be very eager to head for the hills and visit mountain destinations (48%) this fall and winter, followed by picturesque small towns (38%) and bustling cities (33%) for weekend getaways.
(multiple responses accepted)
_mountains
Destinations with high-elevation and low-prices for fall and winter 2023/24
Median Nightly Price: $151.59
Median Nightly Price: $221.44
Median Nightly Price: $225.78
Median Nightly Price: $263.78
#7. Snow much to explore
When asked to about which seasonal activities were at the top of wish lists for the autumn and winter seasons, seeing the enchanting northern lights was an experience selected by 31% of American travelers. Getting festive at a holiday market (51%) and enjoying bratwurst and beer at Oktoberfest (32%) were also among the top experiences, followed by relaxing on sandy beaches (25%).
(multiple responses accepted)
_oktoberfest
Must-visit places to celebrate the 'wurst' time of the year
Median Nightly Price: $376.63
Median Nightly Price: $216.88
Median Nightly Price: $311.04
Median Nightly Price: $300.46
About HomeToGo
HomeToGo is the marketplace with the world's largest selection of vacation rentals, listing millions of offers from thousands of trusted partners, including Booking.com, Vrbo and TripAdvisor. From vacation homes, cabins, beach houses, apartments, condos, house boats, castles, farm stays and everything in between, HomeToGo combines price, destination, dates and amenities to find the perfect accommodation for any trip worldwide.
Founded in 2014, HomeToGo operates local apps & websites in 25 countries across Europe, North America, South America, Australia and Asia-Pacific. HomeToGo also operates brands such as Agriturismo.it, AMIVAC, Casamundo, CaseVacanza.it, e-domizil, EscapadaRural, Tripping.com and Wimdu. To learn more, visit www.hometogo.com or download the HomeToGo app.
Methodology
This forecast focuses on vacation rental travel trends and search behaviors for the autumn and winter seasons, taking place between 1 September 2023 and 20 March 2024. Findings are based on a combination of internal HomeToGo search data and external survey findings. More detailed information can be found below:
Survey Insights: Findings are based on research conducted by HomeToGo among a general population sample of 3,000 respondents in total, 500 per market (US, UK, DE, ES, IT, FR). To participate in this survey, respondents had to be 18 or older. The survey was conducted on 13 August 2023.
The comparison study for autumn and winter 2022/23 was conducted on 5 August 2022 and based its findings on responses from a general population sample of 3,000 respondents in total, 500 per market (US, UK, DE, ES, IT, FR). To participate in this survey, respondents had to be 18 or older.
The top searched U.S. destinations for fall and winter are based on U.S. traveler searches for vacation rentals on HomeToGo.com with following parameters:
Search Period: 1 January - 23 August 2023 with check-in dates between 1 September 2023 - 20 March 2024
Trending international getaways are based on U.S. searches for vacation rentals in destinations outside of the United States on HomeToGo.com with following parameters:
Search Period 1: 1 January - 23 August 2023 with check-in dates between 1 September 2023 - 20 March 2024
Search Period 2: 1 January - 23 August 2022 with check-in dates between 1 September 2022 - 20 March 2023
Forecasted prices for the most affordable U.S. destinations summer 2024 are based on inventory shown on HomeToGo.com with a check-in date between 1 June - 1 September 2024. Please note prices are shown in USD and subject to change.
Forecasted prices for the autumn and winter 2023/24 are also based on inventory shown on HomeToGo.com with a check-in date between 1 September 2023 - 20 March 2024. Please note prices are shown in USD and subject to change.
Forecasted prices for the top Oktoberfest destinations are based on inventory shown on HomeToGo.com with a check-in date between 1 September 2023 - 31 October 2023. Please note prices are shown in USD and subject to change.