Expert: Spring Break Travel Will Be Busy — And Expensive

14.01.2024 - 12:31 / forbes.com

The upcoming spring break travel period may set new records for hotel occupancy — and prices. So if you’re looking for a place to stay in March and April, what should you do? I asked Tim Hentschel, CEO of HotelPlanner, how to get ahead of the trend and find an affordable hotel.

Here's our interview.

You've seen a dramatic rise in the number of spring break hotel bookings compared to last year. What does it look like?

The momentum is already there from last year. We saw a 64% year-over-year increase in spring break bookings from 2022 to 2023. So far this year, we’re already seeing a 7% increase for spring break 2024. Based on that, we’re projecting a 10% to 15% total increase in spring break bookings this year.

What does that mean for travelers?

It means that travel demand and traveler confidence remain quite high. Despite ongoing challenges with our nation’s air transportation system, most travelers are keeping their spring break plans.

We can assume that traditional spring break destinations like Daytona Beach, Fort Lauderdale and South Padre island, as well as some secondary cities and even overseas destinations, will see high hotel occupancy this season.

What are some of the areas that have the highest prices?

We're still seeing higher prices in the traditional spring break destinations, as well as in popular ski resorts in the Northeast and the Rockies.

Where are prices still relatively low for spring break?

The Deep South, Padre Island, the Ozarks, and Florida Panhandle beach cities such as Panama Beach, Destin and Pensacola have lower rates compared to Florida's East Coast cities like Fort Lauderdale or Miami.

How expensive is it to stay in a hotel now, versus last spring break?

The travel supply and demand curve is very much in effect. As spring break demand increases, we expect that hotel rates in popular destinations will increase commensurate with the demand, potentially up 20% to 30% in the period from March 1 to April 15.

What would it take to get them back to where they are more reasonable?

The free market sets hotel rates based on supply and demand. So if one hotel on Spring Break Row is charging a much higher rate than all other hotels on that strip, travelers will opt for the less expensive hotel, and the outlier hotel will eventually be forced to reduce its rates to maintain occupancy.

Also, how do I know if I'm paying a reasonable hotel rate?

Evaluate the all-in costs and all-in value of a hotel stay. If rates are about the same, then compare amenities and offerings such as room service, gym and spa, pet friendliness, proximity to the beach or nightlife, and free shuttle service. Also check out the customer reviews.

Do you have any tips for making spring break more