JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The summer travel season is over, but a new survey shows the majority of Americans are not ready to put their luggage away. According to a recent AAA Consumer Pulse survey, three in four people plan to take at least one leisure trip of 50 miles or more, requiring overnight accommodations, in the next three months.
"People like to travel during the fall, because they can find great deals," said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. "School is back in session, which means hotels, cruises and attractions are not quite as crowded, so vendors are more likely to roll out lower rates to get your business."
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For example, in September, a seven night Royal Caribbean cruise to the Eastern Caribbean costs $1,504.30 for two passengers. The price for the same cruise in July is almost $1,500 more, selling at $2,964.30 for two people
The same is true for hotels. The Best Western in Lake Buena Vista is selling rooms for $89.10 in October, which is $26 cheaper than the rate in July. A room at the Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek drops from $145 a night in July, to $122.55 in October.
"With the exception of holidays, fall travel prices can be the lowest all year," Jenkins continued. "The savings only multiply when using travel agents like the ones at AAA. AAA's travel agents have insider knowledge on where to go, what to do, and what specials to take advantage of in order to get travelers the lowest possible rate."
Nearly half (43%) of people surveyed in Florida, Georgia and Tennessee say they are very likely to take an off-season vacation in the next 12 months.
The majority (83%) of trips in the next three months are likely to be within the United States, while over one in 10 (13%) will go both domestic and international.
Half (50%) of residents planning a trip expect to spend up to $1,000, but 36 percent will spend between $1,000 and $3,000.