While the Delta variant surge has dashed travelersâ hopes of a revenge travel summer, enthusiasm for travel remains high. As we get ready for sweater weather and pumpkin spice everything, what does the fall hold for travel? If the numbers for Labor Day weekend travel are any indication, thereâÂÂs reason to believe that travel will increase. Read on to discover the seasonâÂÂs travel trends.
Flexible Travel Plans
With Europe tightening restrictions on American travelers and the general uncertainties of pandemic travel, modern travelers are looking for options. The travel industry has responded by offering more cancellation options, trip interruption protections, and discounts. If youâÂÂre on the fence about taking a trip this fall, youâÂÂll have these benefits to take advantage of.Â
Trip Insurance with CFAR Will Be Essential
Purchasing trip insurance with a Cancel for Any Reason option will be invaluable to hesitant fall travelers. Standard trip insurance offers travelers reimbursement if their trip is canceled due to specific events listed in the policy documentation, such as inclement weather, natural disaster, job termination, or death of a travel companion or a loved one. However, a trip insurance plan with CFAR allows you to cancel your trip for any reason and still recoup about 70% of your prepaid travel expenses. This includes things like flights, lodging and rental deposits, and unused venue tickets.
Travelers Will Favor Domestic Travel
The Delta variant surge, in combination with the EUâÂÂs restrictions on American travelers, have made travelers understandably wary of international travel. This fall, weâÂÂll likely see eager travelers testing the waters with shorter domestic trips. If youâÂÂre one of these travelers, be aware that COVID-19 levels and safety recommendations vary from state to state, and sometimes even city to city. Big cities like New York and San Francisco require proof of Covid vaccination to enter bars, restaurants, theaters and other public venues. Other major cities across the U.S. are also considering similar measures.
Business Travel Will Increase
As convenient as Zoom business meetings are, Americans are eager to travel to conferences and to meet face to face with prospective clients. According to the travel industry analysis site, DestinationAnalysts.com, one in five employed American travelers plans to attend a convention, conference or other group meeting in the last quarter of the year. They expect October to be the peak month for business travel.Â
If a business trip is international, employers will want to protect their employees with travel medical insurance as well as trip insurance. This not only gives the employee all the peace of mind they need to stay focused on their all-important meeting, but also it satisfies the employerâs Duty of Care. Similarly, Business travel accident insurance is a great way to protect employees while theyâÂÂre in transit.Â
Road Trips May Make a Comeback
As travelers look for more Covid-safe ways to travel, the Great American Road Trip is primed for an autumn comeback. The customizability and controllability of a road trip is definitely part of the allure. If you want to tour the west, you can do so on your own time and in your own way. YouâÂÂre literally and figuratively in the driverâÂÂs seat. This means that with careful planning, you can follow safety protocols and avoid Covid hot spots or areas with low vaccination rates.Â
But even careful planning canâÂÂt account for the unexpected. ThatâÂÂs why thereâÂÂs trip insurance. If youâÂÂre traveling at least 90 miles away from home, trip insurance can ensure that you get reimbursed for prepaid travel expenses if you have to cancel your trip for a covered reason. If you add CFAR to your trip insurance, your reason for canceling any part of your trip, like a hotel stay or a vacation rental, doesnâÂÂt have to be explicitly stated in your policy documentation. You can cancel for any reason and still recoup some finances.Â
If youâÂÂd rather not put mileage on your own car, you can always rent one. Just be aware, though, that the insurance youâÂÂll get at the rental agency wonâÂÂt be as extensive as your own car insurance would be. ThatâÂÂs why getting trip insurance with a collision damage waiver is so important. If an accident happens, youâÂÂll be covered for any damage to the vehicle.Â
Whether youâÂÂre traveling to New England to see the vibrant fall foliage, or out to the west coast for some sun, your road trip can be even more amazing (and safe) with these tips.Â
Millennial & Gen Z Travelers Will Lead the Way
According to DestinationAnalysts.com, Millennials and Gen Z-ers make up the most travel-ready demographic. TheyâÂÂre also most likely to support Covid safety protocols. Since theyâÂÂre generally at a lower risk for contracting Covid, you can expect to see these young people traveling both domestically and internationally sooner rather than later.
Travelers Will Continue to Book Vacation Rentals
Over the summer vacation home rentals and hosting sites like VRBO and AirBnB were very popular. We can expect this popularity to continue through the fall for good reason. Renting vacation homes is one of the safest ways to travel during a pandemic. As with road trips, so much of your vacation is within your control. You can pick a spot thatâÂÂs isolated, choose who you come into contact with, and practice Covid safety protocols with ease.Â
If youâÂÂre planning on renting a vacation home for the fall, donâÂÂt forget trip insurance. If you need to cancel your trip for a covered reason, youâÂÂll recoup prepaid trip expenses like any deposits you may have had to put down for the vacation rental. As we mentioned earlier, if you opt for trip insurance with CFAR, you get even more flexibility.Â
Some of these trends will likely stick around long after Covid cases finally become manageable. For one, travel insurance will continue to be a necessity for travelers of every type. Whatever our new normal has in store, travel insurance will adapt to accommodate the needs of the modern traveler.
