Fall is more than a color change. It’s a pivotal moment in hospitality.
As summer’s rush winds down, autumn brings a subtle shift in traveler behavior: fewer crowds, more flexibility, and a growing appetite for experience over spectacle.
For hoteliers, that means an opportunity to capture demand that many competitors underestimate.
In this blog, I’m going to walk you through emerging fall travel trends in 2025 and show you how your property can lean into them – using both strategy and technology. With the right moves today, you’ll be well‑positioned to convert “off‑peak” into “peak potential.”
Key Fall Travel Trends You Can’t Ignore (2025 Edition)
a) Domestic Travel Remains Strong
Globally, 74% of respondents plan to take 1–3 domestic trips in 2025. (American Express)
This is huge for U.S. and Canada properties. With international travel facing headwinds (e.g. stronger USD, political uncertainty), your local and regional demand becomes even more valuable.
Tip for you: Focus your marketing on nearby states, neighboring provinces, and drive‑distance markets. “Weekend escape from Seattle,” “Ontario couples retreat within 3 hours,” etc.
b) Early Planning for 2026 Events & Sports
Travel patterns show that big events (sports, cultural, festivals) trigger search surges even a year in advance. (Partners Expedia Group)
For example, searches for travel to the U.S., Canada, and Mexico are up due to early planning for a 2026 North American soccer tournament.
Action: Create a content calendar now. Publish guides, partner with local event organizers, and pre‑package early bird offers.
c) Shoulder Season as a Marketing Lever
Fall travel often appeals to “off-season thrill seekers” and travelers who want fewer crowds. Properties that lean into local experiences, seasonal perks, or unique bundles tend to gain from this niche.
Example: A mountain lodge offers a “fall foliage getaway” at a slightly discounted rate, with guided hikes, gourmet dinners, and photography tours.
d) Longer Stays & Remote Work Flexibility
Research in U.S. short‑term rentals shows people are booking slightly longer stays post-pandemic. You see, the “slow‑mad” or extended stay segment is quietly growing. (arXiv)
This behavior is bleeding into hotel and resort stays too. Travelers want flexibility, work‑from‑“away” days, and room for spontaneity.
What you can do:
- Offer midweek discounts for multi‑night bookings
- Promote “stay + work” packages (reliable WiFi, workspace, caffeine perks)
- Structure flexible cancellation policies
e) International Influx Softening (Local Demand Gains)
International visitor spending in the U.S. is projected to drop ~7% in 2025 (Reuters). Meanwhile, bookings from Canadians to the U.S. are down ~3.8% in early 2025 (Travel and Tour World). While this could hurt inbound demand, it also emphasizes the urgency to deepen your local/regional reach.
Tip: Reallocate a portion of your marketing budget towards domestic and border markets. Use geo‑targeted social ads, regional package offers, and content tailored to the fall traveler profile.
How Hotels Can Prepare Now for Fall Travel Trends (Actionable Strategies)
a) Content & SEO Moves
- Launch a “Fall Experiences” landing page for your region (e.g. “Fall Colors Tours Near You”)
- Publish weekly blog posts: local events, seasonal phenomena, harvest festivals
- Use schema and location tagging to help Google associate your property with relevant search terms
#OnResTips: How to do Local SEO for Hotels?
b) Promotions & Packaging
- Bundle add-ons like breakfast, early check-in, and hikes
- Flexible cancellation windows appeal to cautious travelers
- Create “shoulder season savers”. For example, 10–15% off stays between certain dates plus bonus points
#OnResTips: How to Create Packages and Promotions that Bring Bookings?
c) Distribution Strategy Tweaks
- Use OnRes’s channel manager to push your shoulder season inventory aggressively
- Highlight your fall promos on OTAs but direct to your website for best rates
- In your GDS placements, add fall promotional codes or tags so corporate/email agents can see them
d) Leverage Guest Data & CRM
- Segment past guests who visited in October–November
- Send tailored email offers now (“we saw you loved fall — here’s an exclusive repeat guest rate”)
- Use your PMS to automate reminders, loyalty incentives, and cross-sell packages
e) Operational Readiness
- Staff for guest experience (local tours, shuttle services)
- Prepare local partnerships (with wineries, farms, event organizers)
- Optimize your website and booking engine for mobile users on the go
Measuring & Adjusting Through the Season
KPIs to measure in the shoulder season for your fall travel trends: occupancy, ADR (average daily rate), direct vs OTA booking ratio, length of stay, repeat guests
How to Optimize Your Results?
- Use A/B tests on promos, landing page variants, call-to-action language
- Monitor booking pace week-on-week and adjust offers or inventory mid-season
- Collect feedback. Ask: “What drew you to book now?” to understand your messaging efficacy
Conclusion
Fall is not a lull, it’s a door. With the right content, offers, operations, and data-driven tweaks, you can turn the shoulder season into a strong revenue opportunity.
Use a system like OnRes to execute seamlessly, and over time, you’ll build a reputation as the go-to property for fall travelers in your area.
