Traveling during peak season can be a drag. Visiting Europe in the summer, for example, means contending with higher prices, tight availability and throngs of fellow travelers. That’s why many savvy travelers choose to vacation during “ shoulder seasons ” that lie between peak season and low season — spring and autumn for many destinations.
Yet remote work and overcrowded peak seasons have increased the popularity of these shoulder seasons. Take the Jersey Shore, a popular seaside destination in New Jersey, for example. This coastal region has seen a significant increase in visitors during the fall months, with October through December occupancy rates in 2023 up by as much as 50% compared to pre-pandemic levels, according to a 2024 report from AirDNA, a short-term rental analytics firm.
And it’s not the only place that’s getting more visitors outside of peak season. Japan is one of the destinations seeing an uptick in visitors during shoulder seasons. As many destinations see more tourists spill into the shoulders, what’s the best way to avoid these offseason crowds? If everyone is zagging their travel plans, maybe it’s a good time to zig.
For example, Japan saw a huge influx of travelers this spring. The number of U.S.
citizens departing for Japan in March through May of 2024 rose 17% compared with the same months in 2023, and jumped a whopping 41% compared with the same months in 2019, according to the International Trade Administration. Similarly, Greece sa.