In 5 top destinations, we calculate the savings of traveling during 'shoulder season'.

Intrepid Travel's 2024 Outlook Survey revealed that nearly one in five Americans plan to travel less in 2024, with most citing costs as the reason.

Many travelers are prioritizing cost savings while still enjoying their trips, with 70% of Intrepid survey respondents opting to avoid peak season travel.

The "shoulder season" travel era offers cheaper trips, thinner crowds, and better weather.

"Our busiest time of the year was previously a well-kept secret in the travel industry, as stated by James Thornton, CEO of Intrepid Travel," said James Thornton, CEO of Intrepid Travel.

Parents are increasingly willing to take kids out of school for travel, according to CNBC Travel.

According to Zicasso's 2024 Luxury Travel Report, the shift in some locations is so significant that it is altering traditional seasonal travel patterns, as found in a survey of 200 travel specialists.

• More traveling is taking place during what were previously considered shoulder seasons, with 41% of respondents stating that high seasons are now lasting longer.
• A majority of respondents (43%) indicated that more destinations are transitioning into year-round attractions without a clear off-season.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand's governor, Thapanee Kiatphaibool, stated on CNBC's 'Squawk Box Asia' on Jan. 18 that there is no more low season in the country. This trend of year-round travel is also observed in parts of the Caribbean and Mexico.

As the boundary between high and shoulder season becomes less distinct, savings are dwindling, according to Thornton.

Despite the off-season, travel demand remains high, causing prices to increase, according to the source's statement to CNBC Travel.

CNBC Travel analyzed hotel rates in five popular destinations, comparing peak and shoulder season prices for entry-level rooms for two travelers, inclusive of most taxes. The rates are accurate as of Jan. 25, 2024.

Kyoto, Japan

High seasons are largely influenced by weather, but festivities and natural events, such as the northern lights and Africa's Great Migration, also contribute to peak periods.

The cherry blossom season in Kyoto attracts numerous tourists during late March to early April.

Chisato Nishiyori, 360 Private Travel's general manager for Japan, stated that the price hikes aren't limited to hotels. Everything, including guides, trains, and museum tickets, also experience an increase in cost.

High-end restaurant reservations are challenging even for hotel concierges, despite stable prices, she stated.

The Maldives

The Maldives experiences seasons based on rainfall rather than temperature with year-round warm weather.

The northeast monsoon, commonly referred to as the "dry" season, runs from January to March, while the "wet" season, or southwest monsoon, lasts from mid-May to November, as stated by the Maldives Meteorological Service.

The peak season in the Maldives is from December to April, with November and April being its "shoulder" months.

Visiting the Maldives prior to the onset of the rainy season can result in significant savings on hotel expenses, according to CNBC's analysis.

Rome, Italy

The popularity of Italian summers among tourists has caused the country's peak season to expand to May and September.

According to Italy Explained, Italy's "sweet spots" are becoming harder to identify as their shoulder areas are shrinking and becoming more elusive.

In Italy, spring is the final true shoulder season, lasting just two months, from March to April. However, price breaks can also be found in late October and November.

In June, Rome's River Palace Hotel offered a lower rate for a "Classic Room" compared to March, due to a 60-day advance booking promotion. Without the discount, the nightly room rate was $281.

Dubai

From June to August, Dubai experiences its lowest international arrivals during the scorching summer temperatures.

The shoulder season, lasting four months, occurs between the summer season and many places in the Northern Hemisphere, including April, May, September, and October.

Although rates in Dubai remained relatively stable during peak and shoulder seasons, summers were significantly cheaper, with May rates being even less expensive than those in April.

Dubai's "only floating hotel," Queen Elizabeth 2, follows a seasonal pattern with room rates dropping in March, hitting a low in the summer, and then increasing in October.

New York City

The two peak seasons in New York City are during the summer months of June to August, and the time frame between Thanksgiving and the New Year.

In CNBC's analysis, only New York City had shoulder season rates that were higher than peak season prices.

But that was only true for the summer.

During the year-end, the cost of visiting Rockefeller Center for ice skating and shopping on 5th Avenue in New York City was significantly higher compared to other times of the year.