Extreme temperatures are prompting travelers to seek cooler destinations, a trend dubbed “coolcations.” Heat waves, which are becoming more frequent, prolonged, and intense according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, are influencing vacation choices, particularly during summer.
“Coolcations” emphasize destinations with moderate temperatures, where travelers pack light sweaters instead of sun hats. Expedia reported a 705% increase in flight searches to Lapland, Finland, from January to June 2024. Searches for flights to Canada’s Banff and Lake Louise also surged by 65% and 55% respectively. Vrbo noted that cooler spots like Breckenridge, Colorado; White Mountains, New Hampshire; and Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania, ranked among the top 40 most booked destinations this summer.
Californian traveler Stephanie Greitzer chose Whistler to escape Los Angeles’ extreme summer heat. Similarly, Southern Europe faced sweltering conditions, with cities like Rome and Madrid experiencing temperature spikes, prompting tourists to look northward.
Northern Europe, including Norway, Finland, Sweden, and Switzerland, has seen a tourism boom. Visits to Finland alone reached over 4.8 million in the past year, with a notable rise in registered foreign overnights. Travel agency Scott Dunn reported a surge in demand for summer trips to Nordic countries and recommended early bookings due to limited hotel inventory.
Travelers are encouraged to explore destinations less frequented by Americans for a richer cultural experience. Sara Steele-Rogers, residing in Anguilla, chose Estonia to enjoy fall weather and avoid the constant Caribbean heat. Increasing demand makes early planning essential to secure accommodations and avoid high prices.
Original Story https://www.cnbc.com/2024/09/27/coolcations-had-another-big-summer-here-are-the-places-travelers-went.html
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