It¡¯s a mixed bag when it comes to fall 2025 travel, with some advisors noting that their bookings are up from last year while other are reporting a minor downturn in sales.
¡°As we head into fall 2025, sales across our agency are slightly down year over year ¨C but not by a significant margin,¡± said ¡°Kendra Wolfe, owner of Zip Travel Co. ¡°Historically, we experience a ¡®mini wave¡¯ of bookings in late August and early September once children return to school.¡±
Post-Summer Spikes
¡°That pattern has held steady for us in recent years, with last-minute travel, holiday getaways, and early New Year vacations seeing a spike during that post-summer window,¡± Wolfe added. ¡°So, while current numbers may be trailing slightly, we anticipate a healthy surge in the weeks ahead that could close the gap.¡±
Similarly, Tyson Wharton, owner of Sioux Empire Travel, noted that his numbers are down from the same period last year ¨C but he is hopeful fall business will pick up. ¡°We have made it a point to focus on fall travel in our social media marketing so we can try to fill fall up,¡± he said.
Early Bookings
Other advisors were very optimistic about their prospects for the fall season.
¡°Sales for fall 2025 are definitely up compared to last year. I¡¯m seeing clients booking earlier and being much more intentional with their plans,¡± Mandee Migliaccio, owner of Stepping Out Travel Services.
¡°People want to make the most of their travel, whether it¡¯s a big family trip or a special getaway, and they¡¯re locking things in sooner to get the experiences they really want,¡± She added. ¡°There¡¯s a lot of excitement around future travel again, and that¡¯s translating into strong advance bookings.
For Nicole Fairess, owner of We Do the World Getaways, sales are up not only for the fall season, but the entire year. ¡°Once we had the travel boom in 2022 after COVID I was concerned it would die down, but it has not,¡± she said. ¡°Clients broke out and experienced new destinations as many of their favorites still had travel restrictions in place. This has led to a broader interest to travel, see the world and experience new destinations.¡±
Strong Alaska, Europe Sales
Fall Alaska cruises are selling briskly this fall. (Source: (photo via Norwegian Cruise Line))
So, what¡¯s selling this fall? A lot. ¡°Europe is huge right now. So many of my clients are planning custom land itineraries, especially before or after their ocean cruises,¡± said Migliaccio. ¡°It¡¯s not just about hitting the ports anymore. They really want to dive deeper into the places they¡¯re visiting and take their time exploring.¡±
The agency¡¯s fall river cruise sales also are very strong. ¡°Clients love that they can unpack once and still see multiple destinations, all while enjoying great food, service and unique local experiences,¡± she said. ¡°It¡¯s a more relaxed and thoughtful way to travel, and that really speaks to what people are looking for right now.¡±
At Zip Travel Co, cruises and theme park vacations are strong sellers this fall. leading the way the way for the agency. ¡°While many might consider August part of summer, in our world ¨C serving a predominantly family market with schools starting early ¨C it marks the beginning of the fall travel season,¡± Wolfe said. ¡°And this August, Alaska cruises are commanding exceptional attention.¡±
Theme Park Vacations
Theme park vacations are top-of-mind with travelers this fall. (Source: Universal Orlando)
In addition to all-inclusive vacations to Mexico and the Caribbean, and fall destination weddings, Wharton of Sioux Travel is witnessing a significant interest in theme park vacations. ¡°I even have people waiting on their Universal trip to visit Epic Universe because they are waiting for issues to be ironed out and crowds to become less of an issue ¨C even though I have warned it will still be busy next year,¡± he said.
For her part, Fairess of We Do the World Getaways is seeing robust sales for all-inclusive resorts, Europe, tours and cruises. ¡°After experiencing Caribbean cruises and realizing what a great way it is to see multiple destinations, we are booking more and more Alaska and Europe cruises and river cruises,¡± she said.
Multigenerational Travel
Multigenerational family continues to grow in popularity. (Source: (photo via Emerald Cruises))
In the final analysis, advisor agreed that sales for groups of friends and families are continuing grow. ¡°I¡¯m seeing a lot of multigenerational families, with grandparents, parents, and kids traveling together, which is so special,¡± said Stepping Out Travel Services¡¯ Migliaccio.
¡°Whether it¡¯s celebrating a milestone, checking something off the bucket list, or just slowing down and being together, people are putting more thought into how and why they travel. They¡¯re not just going to go. They want it to matter.¡±
Wolfe of Zip Travel Co is of a similar mind. ¡°The demand for reconnection travel remains high. Whether it¡¯s a girlfriends¡¯ weekend at a theme park or an Alaska cruise with cousins and grandparents, people are intentionally carving out time to be together,¡± she said.
¡°Even with slightly tempered numbers, fall 2025 is shaping up to reflect evolving preferences rather than a lack of interest in travel. With the right timing, messaging and understanding of our clients¡¯ needs, we¡¯re confident the season will be both strong and meaningful.¡±
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