Extreme temperatures have travelers looking for cooler destinations. There's a term for this trend: “coolcations.”
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, heat waves are increasing in frequency, duration and intensity and are affecting where people choose to vacation, especially during the hot summer months.
“When we think of vacations, we often think of beaches and tropical resorts,” an Expedia spokesperson told CNBC Travel. “However, cooling down is choosing destinations with milder temperatures where you can pack a lightweight sweater instead Sunhat.”
According to Expedia, searches for flights to Finnish Lapland increased by 705% from January to June 2024. The online travel agency said flight searches also depended on Canada, specifically Banff (65%) and Lake Louise (55%), its data showed.
Home rental site Vrbo reports that cooler spots are among the 40 most booked destinations this summer, including Breckenridge, Colorado; the White Mountains of New Hampshire; and Pennsylvania's Pocono Mountains.
Californian Stephanie Greitzer said she plans to take a family trip to Whistler this summer.
“We live in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles, which experiences extremely hot weather most of the summer, with highs well over 100 degrees,” she said. “We want to feel comfortable while traveling, experience everything the city has to offer, and take a break from the heat at home.”
Southern Europe is bustling with activity
European cities such as Rome and Madrid top the list of popular summer destinations. But rising temperatures in southern Europe have dealt a heavy blow to the summer tourist season.
This summer, Italian officials issued heat warnings for 12 cities, with temperatures reaching triple digits in some areas.
On July 21, 2024, a tourist took a summer vacation in Rome, Italy.
Massimo Vallicchia | Photos of Massimo Vallicchianur | Getty Images
“Over the summer, from June to August, average temperatures in southern Italy were warmer than historical averages,” AccuWeather chief international forecaster Jason Nicholls wrote in an email to CNBC. Out of 3-8 degrees Fahrenheit. “We had several rounds of hot weather in Italy in late July and into August, moving into the Balkans. ”
As a result, Nordic tourism is booming.
Delphine Combes, head of product at travel agency Scott Dunn, said: “Nordic Europe as a whole has really grown dramatically over the past two years. “Norway has become one of our top five destinations in Europe, rising eight places from 2022. “
She said Scott Dunn is adding more options for summer travel to Finland, Sweden and Switzerland to meet growing demand.
“Until recently we didn't offer winter and holiday products in these destinations,” Coombs said.
According to Tourism Finland, more than 4.8 million foreign tourists visited the Nordic country in the past 12 months. The report stated that the number of foreign overnight stays registered from January to June 2024 increased by 9% compared with the same period last year, with the largest number of tourists coming from Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Sweden, the United States and the Netherlands.
Book early
Combs has a suggestion for American travelers looking for a cooler vacation.
“Be open to traveling to places where Americans are not the main tourists,” she said. “Unlike the Mediterranean, many summer resorts are not packed with Americans. It creates a fun atmosphere and perhaps allows for more cultural experiences.”
According to travel agency Nordic Visitor, more and more travelers are looking for flights to Finnish Lapland, where summer temperatures average 50–60°F.
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Coombs also recommends booking early. “In many cooler, less touristy destinations, there are fewer quality hotels. Growing demand is starting to outstrip hotel inventory, so prices are either going to be very high, or there won't be availability if you wait until the last minute.”
Sara Steele-Rogers and her husband, who currently live on the Caribbean island of Anguilla, booked a trip to Estonia in September to escape the summer heat.
“It’s always hot in the Caribbean, so cooler-weather destinations are more inviting than ever for us to sample the flavors of fall,” Steele-Rogers said. “Little things like being able to walk long distances without sweat soaking through your clothes, you won't miss it until they're gone.”