Travellers are tightening their travel budgets with Expedia’s Summer Travel Outlook revealing that many travellers are now swapping iconic hotspots for more affordable alternatives.
The trend comes as US Travel Association data reveals that airfare prices are up nearly 15% year-on-year, largely fuelled by higher jet fuel and energy costs. An example of this is New York; while it remains popular this northern summer, Expedia reports that travellers are swapping it out for Philadelphia, where demand is up 80% year-on-year.
Philadelphia, notes Expedia, boasts world-class museums, historic neighbourhoods, and a thriving dining scene, and average nightly hotel rates are 30% lower than New York.
Those dreaming of Los Angeles are increasingly opting for Palm Springs instead, with demand up 25% year-on-year. It offers desert escapes, poolside resorts, and a vibrant arts scene, but with accommodation options that are on average 25% less than LA, it adds. Expedia also notes that Miami is being replaced with Fort Lauderdale by the budget conscious, and Seattle by Portland.
In Europe, London is seeing some competition from Dublin, with Expedia noting demand for the Irish capital is up 10% year-over-year with hotel rates 10% lower there than London. Rome is being swapped for Naples, which also offers Italian cuisine, historic streets and access to the Amalfi Coast but with 30% lower hotel rates.
Other swaps include Paris being traded in for Brussels, the latter up 40% year-over-year, and with hotel rates 40% lower than Paris. See the full report HERE.
