Are These Trending Fall Destinations on Your Radar?

As Labor Day arrives, travelers are already looking where to head next as we dive head-first into the fall and winter months. To examine what destinations are trending among U.S. travelers this coming season, we looked to Tripadvisor's recently released 2022 Fall Travel Index.

The study found that while the busy summer travel season is coming to an end, Americans' appetite for vacations thankfully is not over. Six out of ten U.S. respondents (61%) say they're planning a fall trip this year, even if how they travel might change. Despite inflation, the study also found there are no indicators that travel demand, based on recent sentiment surveys, will subside any time soon amongst global travelers, especially Americans, as we transition into the fall months.

In keeping with the global trend indicated by this season's Tripadvisor Travel Index, domestic trips remain the No. 1 choice among U.S. travelers; 81% of Americans and 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

Interestingly, the study found a past trend is emerging once more: long-haul air travel.

Of those surveyed, more than 40% of American travelers will travel more than seven hours and 49% plan to travel by plane. Also, 56% of Americans plan to take a trip of at least four nights this fall, with 33% planning to travel five or more nights. That in comparison to the Fall 2021 Travel index, which indicated that 68% of U.S. travelers surveyed last year opted for staycation-style travel close to home accessible by car or train. By contrast, this year's Fall Travel Index clearly indicates that Americans are ready for major trips.

But when it comes to international travel, where are travelers eyeing?

Unsurprisingly, the study found that Americans are craving sunshine, with Cancun, Mexico coming out on top for trending fall destinations for travelers, followed by Italy and its picturesque cities like Como, Monterosso al Mare, Amalfi and Sorrento. Additional destinations include Turks & Caicos; Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; Signapore; London; Bangkok, Thailand; Boracay, Philippines; Munich, Germany; Edinburgh, UK; Amsterdam; Dublin; and Vancouver.

When it comes to the most exciting components of a trip, the study revealed 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 said the primary purpose of their trip is to enjoy dining and nightlife and nearly one quarter have booked restaurant reservations in advance.

Written by Sarah Suydam, Managing Editor for Groups Today.