Are Summer Travel Trends Changing?

There’s been a lot of coverage recently about the rising cost of gas and jet fuel, and how rising travel costs might stretch travelers’ wallets and cool the high demand of the past several years. 

But is that true? What trends have various reports and analyses found to be true this summer? Do they differ from past years, or are travelers just swallowing the extra cost because they’re still eager to prioritize travel experiences? Will road trips and international vacations still be as popular as they were last year? 

We looked at the most recent data on summer travel trends to see if there were any unique insights to be gleaned from them. 

The Big Picture for Summer Travel 

While airfare is over 20% more expensive this year, with many other expenses rising as well, it’s become harder for Americans to afford travel, especially for less affluent Americans. 

Yet while most of us are feeling a stronger pinch this summer, data shows that we’re not stopping our traveling this summer—instead, we’re getting smarter about it. Allianz data found that 70% of Americans plan to travel this summer, with one in five heading abroad, despite 79% expressing concern about rising costs. 

Travelers who use travel advisors are largely not changing their travel plans yet due to higher prices, but instead are taking a “seize the day” mentality, as one advisor explains. 

“My clients, although concerned about the potential for rising jet fuel prices, have not changed their travel plans at this point,” said Becky Lukovic at Bella Travel Planning. “...As a matter of fact, our people are traveling in record numbers this year, and it’s turning out to be one of our best years for international travel—both in short planning windows, and also in long-term planning. 

“...My travelers really seem to want to ‘seize the day’ and get those dream trips on the books to make memories, because we all know life is short and the unexpected happens.” 

Priceline’s inaugural summer travel report found similar concerns and demand. While 44% of respondents reported feeling that a summer vacation was out of reach due to high costs, 73% expressed a desire to do whatever it took to travel. 

A report by Hotels.com found that Americans are using bundled packages, points and other methods to save on their summer travel expenses. In contrast, Priceline’s research found that Americans are cutting back on eating out and other at-home expenses to afford trips. 

While that’s true, it’s not stopping demand for traveling abroad, as Peggy Purtell, owner of Purtell Travel, told TravelPulse that the majority of her summer business is in Europe, with Italy and France making up about 75% of her business: “These two countries have consistently been my most-requested destinations for more than 10 years,” she said. “I believe clients gravitate toward the familiar destinations when there is uncertainty in the world.”

Travel Confidence Wanes, Desire for Protection Grows

While traveling continues to be prioritized above other non-essential expenses, travel confidence is waning. 

Allianz’s Global Travel Confidence Index found that the war in the Middle East, border restrictions and safety and security are top-of-mind concerns for travelers. Travel anxiety is hitting the youngest travelers hard, with those under 35 reporting the highest levels of anxiety across the board. 

Squaremouth’s data supports Allianz’s, noting that as summer vacation costs rise and travelers become increasingly aware of how unpredictable the travel landscape can be, travel insurance becomes a major priority. 

Squaremouth’s customers are booking travel insurance further out than before, with the time between departure and insurance bookings shortening from 71 days to 62 days. 

Independence Day and America 250 Give Summer Travel a Boost

Independence Day travel is expected to grow this year, due to high travel demand and America 250. With major live events, from the BTS World Tour to the FIFA World Cup, being hosted in cities throughout the United States, travelers have more opportunities than ever to enjoy some incredible entertainment opportunities over the long holiday weekend, too. 

AAA Travel is expecting a new record for Americans traveling for the Fourth of July this year. An estimated 72.2 million people are expected to travel at least 50 miles from home for the holiday, surpassing the 2025 total, with the vast majority driving. 

While costs are rising, Expedia and VRBO’s research found that Americans are becoming more savvy, with travelers using budget filters in their search functions up 1,265% year-over-year, and economy fares increasing in popularity by 120%. 

Budget-friendliness is a major summer travel desire, with 37% of summer bookings on VRBO being discounted rates. Travelers are also choosing less expensive destinations.

Industry Executives Remain Cautiously Optimistic

While the 2026 FIFA World Cup isn’t performing as positively as predicted within the travel industry, hospitality and cruise executives are cautiously optimistic about the summer and beyond. 

Carnival Corporation posted a record second-quarter financial result, reporting a new record for adjusted net income and revenue. The cruise giant earned $569 in adjusted net income and $6.7 billion in revenue and performed well in other metrics, despite 30% increases in fuel costs. While the company expects to mark new records in the third quarter, it also slightly lowered its estimates, likely due to higher operating costs.

Hospitality executives at the NYU International Hospitality Investment Forum were optimistic, noting that luxury travel continues to lead in hotel and resort revenue and that the K-shaped economy is impacting the industry. While consumer confidence has hit historic lows, travelers are still spending.

Are Summer Travel Trends Changing? Perhaps

To summarize it all, Americans aren’t shifting their travel plans in major ways this summer, still just as eager to travel and experience the world as they have in recent years. 

Yet with rising travel costs and costs of living, they are getting thriftier and more budget-conscious, searching for ways to save on travel costs. 

As the war in the Middle East continues and other safety concerns arise, they’re also taking travel’s unpredictability more seriously, especially among younger generations who feel travel anxiety keenly.

Yet this summer is still expected to bring gains to visitor totals around the world, with record numbers of Americans traveling both at home and abroad and industry executives reporting record profits. 

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