Florida Trend | Florida's Business Authority

73% of Floridians to Take a Fall Vacation

TAMPA – The summer travel season is now over, yet many Floridians are not ready to put their luggage away.  A new AAA Consumer Pulse™ survey reveals nearly three-quarters (73%) of Florida residents will take at least one vacation sometime from September through November.

When are they traveling?
(Travelers could select more than one)

  1. September 30%
  2. October 42%
  3. November 28%

Top 4 Reasons Floridians Prefer Autumn Travel

  1. The weather is cooler (56%)
  2. Prices are normally lower than peak summer season (46%)
  3. Smaller crowds at popular attractions (44%)
  4. See fall foliage/colors (32%)

“Whether you travel domestic or internationally, there are many advantages to a fall vacation,” said Matt Nasworthy, Florida Public Affairs Director, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “The weather cools off and students are back in school, leaving smaller crowds at popular attractions. As a result, travelers find more availability and competitive pricing on airfares, hotels and rental cars. This is why Americans love to travel this time of year.”

Preferred Travel Destinations

  1. Europe (57%)
  2. North America (46%)
  3. Australia (26%)

Types of Travel

  • 51% will Drive
  • 50% will Fly
  • 20% will Take a Cruise

Gas Prices Forecast to Fall 14 cents

The 51 percent of autumn travelers - planning to take a road trip - should find lower gas prices.  AAA forecasts gas prices nationwide will drop to $2.70 per gallon.  That is 14 cents less than today’s average price at the pump. Check pump prices near you.

“Gas prices usually follow a downward trend in the fall, due to lower demand and the switch to a cheaper-to-produce winter-blend gasoline,” said Nasworthy. However, U.S.-led sanctions against Iranian crude are expected to kick-in this quarter. If oil prices spike on supply concerns, gas prices may jump too.”

37% to Get Travel Insurance for Hurricanes

The early weeks of September are often the most active time of hurricane season. Major storms can cause a ripple effect of travel delays and cancellations affecting American travelers nationwide. Nearly two-fifths (37%) of Florida travelers now say they are likely to purchase travel insurance during their fall trip, due to the threat of hurricanes this year.

“You shouldn’t wait until a major storm develops to start researching travel insurance,” said Nasworthy. “Once a storm is named, it’s too late to purchase a new policy. The best advice is to talk with a travel agent, research weather patterns in your travel destination during the time of your visit, and consider purchasing a policy when booking your trip.”

Hurricanes aside, Americans should still consider travel insurance for their next vacation. A delayed or cancelled flight can cause missed reservations or excursions - many of which are often non-refundable. Those and other out-of-pocket expenses can be offset by travel insurance. In addition, there are policies that allow you to cancel your trip before your departure date, for a variety of reasons such as falling ill. If you get sick or injured during your trip, there are policies that would cover medical expenses.

Learn more about Travel Insurance.

 

About the AAA Consumer Pulse™ Survey

The AAA Consumer Pulse™ Survey was conducted online among residents living in Florida from August 3 - 14, 2018.  A total of 400 residents completed the survey, with 297 planning to take at least one fall vacation.  Survey results have a maximum margin of error of ± 5.7 percentage points.  Responses are weighted by gender and age to ensure reliable and accurate representation of the adult population (18+) in Florida.

About The Auto Club Group

The Auto Club Group (ACG) is the second largest AAA club in North America. ACG and its affiliates provide membership, insurance, financial services and travel offerings to over 9.6 million members across eleven states and two U.S. territories including Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Michigan, Nebraska, North Dakota, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands; most of Illinois and Minnesota; and a portion of Indiana. ACG belongs to the national AAA federation with more than 59 million members in the United States and Canada and whose mission includes protecting and advancing freedom of mobility and improving traffic safety. COMING SOON TO FLORIDA! New auto insurance products will be available in October 2018.  Features include: Enhanced Total Loss Coverage, AAA Membership Discount, Disappearing Deductible and much more!