Are you in a position to travel during a sold-out summer? Ready or not, here it is.
“Many prime destinations are either sold out or rates are super inflated,” says Limor Decter, a travel advisor with Embark Beyond.
Travel demand is sky-high in the summer of 2023. A new survey by the American Society of Travel Advisors says 30% of Americans plan to travel abroad this summer. And 47% of survey respondents ranked a vacation as their number-one discretionary spend — twice as many as the second choice, a home improvement or renovation (23%) or a new computer (10%).
What’s out of stock? I asked HotelPlanner where occupancy was higher than before this summer. The top spots nationally are Orlando, Las Vegas, New York, and Honolulu. Internationally, London, Tokyo, Dubai and Amsterdam are overbooked.
Strategies for navigating a sold-out summer vary. Through Global Rescue, he discovered that travelers used these tips to get a room and a flight:
So what are the most effective ways to avoid a sold-out summer?
Old port with fishing boat in Cefalu, Sicily, Italy.
Travel advisors are busy sending their clients to alternate destinations, which may still have some availability.
“For example, for those craving Amalfi or Capri, places such as Sardinia, Corsica, Croatia or even Portugal might offer similar sun and sea vibes,” says Decter. “For all those White Lotus lovers, other regions of Italy — Puglia or Forte dei Marmi or Cinque Terre — can offer a Sicily experience.”
Αlso:
Adventurers on vacation. People with early or late due dates in summer to avoid crowds.
A counter strategy to summer vacations is to target the beginning or end of the season (technically, summer doesn’t start until June 21).
“Be flexible,” advises Ed Granville, Red Savannah’s director of operations. “You can get much higher fares and the destinations are less crowded. “
This strategy works, but you have to be careful about your choice of destination. For example, an early-season cruise in Alaska can be uncomfortably cold. If you hit the scenic Turkish Riviera too late in the summer, it might feel more like fall, and swimming in the Mediterranean might not be an option.
Entalula Island Beach Lagoon with typical filipino Balangay Boats.
This is the recommendation of Daniel Green, co-founder of Faye Travel Insurance. He’s watched the ebb and flow of summer bookings and says other people are booking a specific type of vacation rather than a specific location.
“Be flexible about where you need to pass rather than focusing on a specific destination,” he advises. “That way, you can decide what fits your budget and study that location, making sure you’re not short-staffed. “
Faye says that this summer 60% of her sales in the United States are to Europe, 21% to North America, 7% to Asia, 6% to Africa, 2% to Central America, 2% to the Caribbean and the South. America and Oceania get 1%. Which brings us to our next summer vacation tip.
The bridge overlooking Sol Duc Falls in Olympic National Park.
Keep in mind that if a destination is full, it’s probably empty. Think of scenic Olympic National Park in Washington state, where there are fewer reserves this year. Stephen Fofanoff, general manager of the Domaine Madeleine boutique hotel in Port Angeles, Washington, says visitation is down about 30% since last summer.
“It’s a wonderful choice for one of the busier national parks like Yosemite, Yellowstone or Glacier,” he says. “Plus, it’s easier than those parks, with more lodging features near or within the park that still have excellent availability. “
Olympic ain’t exactly chopped liver. You can explore a million acres of protected wilderness, seeing Alpine mountains with glaciers, glacial lakes, and wild Pacific beaches all on the same day. It is easily one of my favorite destinations on the planet.
Couple relax on the beach enjoy beautiful sea on the tropical island.
“Be willing to alter your vacation dates to avoid weekends when occupancy is typically at its highest,” says Tim Hentschel, Co-Founder and CEO of HotelPlanner.
This means checking in on Sunday night and staying until Thursday, which sounds a lot harder than it is. Most summer vacations in the United States last less than a week, so it’s pretty easy to aim for a weekday.
“Your favorite hotel or hotel is much more likely to be there during paint week,” says Hentschel.
Travel sales agent explaining the offer from a holiday flyer.
If you have to go to a hot destination in the middle of summer, don’t rule out doing it yourself. Hire an expert.
“Fortunately, as a consultant, I have connections with local suppliers who can access hotel inventories and who are in contact with hotel management,” says Susan Sherren, founder of the agency Couture TripsArray.
You’ll pay the full value plus a commission to your agent and enjoy a dream vacation in Sicily or a magical theme park experience in Orlando this summer.
So which of those summer vacation methods is right for you? All. . . or maybe none. It depends on where you are going.
“Overall, there are many destinations and methods to choose from that travelers can enjoy the summer vacation they need without overpaying,” says Shelley Ewing, president of TierOne Travel.
Certainly, they’re all worth trying.
My apartment in Paris last summer, or something like that.
I have worked non-stop for most of my career as a journalist. Sometimes I have to go to popular destinations during peak season, like last June when I spent a month in Paris on a mission. These are my favorite strategies:
Aim for the suburbs. You don’t have to stay in the city center. Many cities have adequate public transportation and you can find an affordable apartment outside the city. Maybe you’ll even have a more original experience. In fact I did.
Look beyond the same old booking sites. One of my favorite places to stay is Blueground, which offers fully furnished mid- and long-term apartments at moderate prices. Although they are not intended for recreational travelers, they can use them.
Take a staycation. Of course, the ultimate contrarian tip is not to travel anywhere. Take a summer vacation like you did in 2020 — head out to your favorite state park and let everyone else fight the crowds.
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