School districts in cities like Atlanta, Birmingham, Charlotte, and Houston have begun to release their plans for the upcoming school year. Approaches are varied but common trends include pushing back the first day, going fully online, or giving the option of in-person or online. A handful of destinations in the Southeast, but not all, have benefited from these changes, as some families are choosing to log-in to class from a scenic destination.
Areas with higher occupancy rates and increased average daily rates in August and September include:
- 30A in Florida
- Oak Island in North Carolina
- Corolla, Duck, Southern Shores in North Carolina
- Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge in Tennessee
What do they have in common? Each is family-friendly and within driving distance of major cities.
The average booking window, or the time between booking and arriving, is shorter in each of these destinations in August, which seems to support the idea that families are planning vacations as their school districts release plans. While some families may be planning long-term stays, the average changes in stay length are subtle and mixed.