From dude ranches and beach escapes to active adventures, summer travel interests span a diverse range of trends this year. And, while it remains to be seen how the uncertainty of the current economic climate will impact travel for the upcoming season (and the rest of this year), multiple outlets have noted increasing anxiety about pricing, which may in turn spur demand for more budget-friendly options.
Following is a roundup of trending destinations, travel styles, client concerns and other factors affecting summer travel for 2025.
Editor's Note: This story was last updated on July 1, 2025.
Trends From Enterprise Mobility
Trend 1: Intent to Travel Is High, Especially Within the U.S.
Enterprise Mobility's summer travel survey found that 66% of Americans plan to take at least one overnight leisure trip more than 50 miles from home this summer. Most (90%) intend to travel domestically, to states including Florida (10%), California (9%), Pennsylvania (6%) and Ohio (5%). With so many travelers staying stateside, it's hardly surprising that 60% plan to reach their destination by car.
Trend 2: Cuisine, Culture, Sightseeing and Relaxation Are Top Desires
Among those surveyed, 50% want to combine relaxation and sightseeing activities, while 46% want to enjoy local food and cuisine. Dream vacations include relaxing by the beach or pool for 40% of travelers, while 39% prefer the lake, mountains or countryside and 21% want to visit a city. Enjoying culture and history (33%) just topped visiting friends and family (30%) on the list of desired activities.
Trend 3: Financial Concerns
Americans who don't currently have summer travel plans cite personal financial reasons (39%), the economy/inflation (35%) and the cost of hotels or other accommodations (16%) as the barriers. Even among those who are traveling, finances remain a concern: 62% of summer travelers say they are cutting expenses to budget for their next trip, mostly cutting back on dining out, buying new clothes or ordering takeout. Millennials are most worried about the cost of their summer trips (41%) compared to Gen X (31%) and boomers (23%).
Trends From RateGain
Trend 1: Budget-Friendly, Regional Travel Rules for the Fourth of July
Data from hospitality software company RateGain shows that travelers prefer affordable, regional and drive-to destinations for this year's Fourth of July holiday over big-city celebrations. According to the findings, hotel bookings in secondary markets have risen sharply, with large year-over-year increases for destinations such as Topeka, Kansas; Charlottesville, Virginia; and Zanesville, Ohio. The company attributes the change in preferences to inflation and high airfare costs.
Trends From U.S. News & World Report
Trend 1: Changing Plans Due to Politics
A new survey from U.S. News & World Report found that nearly half of Americans are changing their travel plans due to the current political climate, with 47% of respondents worried about how they will be received while abroad.
Among those changing plans, 22.5% will travel domestically instead of internationally, 8.9% will travel internationally instead of within the U.S. and 15.5% will avoid certain domestic destinations. Sixty-four percent of travelers plan to take one to two domestic trips this year and 41% plan to travel internationally.
Trend 2: Flight and Cost Concerns
The report found that 47% of respondents are more nervous to fly this year than last year, due to recent plane crashes. Costs are also a concern, with 55% planning to reduce spending this season.
Trends From Hertz
Trend 1: Hot Fourth of July Destinations
Hertz analyzed advance car rental bookings for the Fourth of July to determine the top 10 destinations for the holiday, including Orlando, Denver, Los Angeles, Boston, Oahu, Seattle, Chicago, San Francisco, Las Vegas and Maui.
Trends From Deloitte
Trend 1: Americans Are Determined to Take Summer Trips, Despite Financial Insecurity
According to a recent report from Deloitte, American's sense of financial wellbeing showed a year-over-year decline in April, but in spite of this pressure, 53% remain committed to taking a vacation this summer, up from 48% in 2024. Many are opting for more frequent but shorter trips, taking an average of 3.1 vacations this summer (compared to 2.3 in 2024). Quick getaways are also popular, with 41% planning trips of three nights or less, versus 37% last year. When it comes to their longest trip of the summer, however, 45% say it will last a week or more, up from 39%.
In terms of timing, most travelers (77%) will take their longest trip of the season before the end of August. Twenty-three percent say it will take place after Labor Day, a trend that has been increasing yearly from the 12% recorded in 2022.
Trend 2: Decreasing Budgets and Other Financial Considerations
When asked about their trip budgets in March, Americans planned to spend $3,987 (a 21% year-over-year increase). Just one month later, Americans reported plans to spend an average of $3,471 (13% year-over-year growth) on their longest summer trip. Among those surveyed in April, many reported making adjustments to their trips over the last year due to prices, including driving instead of flying (22%) and staying with friends and family instead of at hotels (24%). Those planning to reduce their summer spending expect to take shorter trips (43%), stay at budget hotels (33%), stay with family and friends (30%) and book cheaper airfare classes (20%).
Those who are not reducing their budgets attribute the decision to taking bucket-list trips (49%).
Trend 3: Working While Away
Nearly a quarter (23%) of those surveyed indicated that they plan to work during their summer trips, up from 21% last year. Those who will work remotely are increasingly likely to take longer trips (39% in 2025 versus 31% in 2024), opt for farther-away international destinations (20% compared to 14%) and stay at private rentals (20% versus 15%).
Trend 4: Where Travelers Are Headed
Among air travelers, trips to Asia are on par with last year (14% of international travel), while Europe is down 5 percentage points to 44%, though it remains the primary international destination for Americans.
Trend 5: Use of AI Is Up
Use of generative AI in travel planning is up this year, with 15% of travelers using it compared to 10% last year. Its main uses are for researching activities and attractions (61%), destinations (38%) and dining (47%). Notably, travelers are following through with more of AI's recommendations: 44% of users have visited or booked a restaurant based on an AI recommendation, compared to 30% in 2024. Another 33% booked a recommended activity or attraction, up from 26%.
Trends From Trevolution Group
Trend 1: Top Destinations
Trevolution Group (which focuses on agency sales of airline tickets and travel services to retail and corporate clients) has released its Summer Travel Trends Report 2025, in which it found that the top destinations for summer travel this year among its clients include the U.S., the Philippines, Italy, the U.K., Nigeria and France. France moved up on the list, overtaking Greece, which has seen a 66% drop in demand year over year.
Trend 2: Changes in Booking Behavior
For the first time in recent years, July has overtaken June as the top summer month for travel among Trevolution clients. These travelers are also booking further in advance this year: In 2024, 52% of clients booked summer trips 51 days or more in advance, compared to 69% this year. Forty-three percent booked at least 90 days ahead, up from 33% last summer. Broken down by month, June travelers booked closer to departure (11-20 days) while July travelers booked 41-50 days out.
Trend 3: Increased Insurance Demand
Flight delays and cancellations, along with extreme weather, have resulted in increased demand for "cancel for any reason" trip protection among Trevolution travelers.
Trends From LugLess
Trend 1: Travel Demand Is High, But Flight Anxiety Is, Too
Luggage shipping service LugLess has released its 2025 State of Summer Travel survey, which collected insight from 1,019 U.S. consumers. The survey found that travel demand is up, with only 11% of Americans planning to fly less this year, and summer remaining the peak season — 46% of respondents are planning trips between June and September.
Among those who are reducing their travel plans, 55% cite cost while 29% attribute the decision to aircraft safety concerns. Anxiety about the airport experience is also on the rise, with 46% of respondents saying they constantly fear their flight will be delayed or canceled; 46% saying the overall airport experience takes too long; and 32% saying they dislike the crowding at airports and worry about getting sick.
Once onboard their flights, top traveler pet peeves include others talking loudly (64%), playing music or videos without headphones (57%), eating pungent foods (54%), removing shoes (46%), hogging both armrests (46%) and frequent bathroom trips (25%).
Trend 2: 'The White Lotus' Effect
Seventy-eight percent of fans say they have planned or want to plan a trip based on "The White Lotus" filming locations, including Hawaii (61%), Italy (50%) and Thailand (38%).
Trends From Classic Vacations
Trend 1: Last-Minute Travel
Classic Vacations reports seeing a shorter booking window for summer trips, with travelers waiting to pull the trigger on their travel until about 20 days out for domestic vacations and roughly 30 days out for international trips.
Trend 2: Familiar Favorites
Classic is also seeing families opt for repeat destinations, returning to villas or resorts annually to create shared traditions and memories.
Trend 3: Leaning into "JOMO"
Travelers are looking for slower, more mindful experiences, including nature-centric getaways and unhurried itineraries that embrace "JOMO," or the "joy of missing out."
Trend 4: Active Wellness
According to Classic, travelers are increasingly seeking itineraries that combine physical activity with wellness offerings.
Trend 5: In-Demand Destinations
Trending destinations for the summer include Maui, where arrivals have increased by 3.8% compared to 2024, and Asia, where interest is rising for Japan and Thailand. Classic is also seeing strong momentum for upscale Caribbean locations including Turks & Caicos, St. Lucia, St. Barts and Antigua. And finally, Italy remains a top destination, with June bookings spiking by 40%. Perennial favorites including Rome and Milan maintain high demand, while interest is increasing for more unique locations, such as Turin.
Trends From WorldVia Travel Group
Trend 1: Experience-Driven Travel
According to WorldVia Travel Group (which examined consumer preferences and trip-planning behaviors for summer travel), the upcoming season will be driven by meaningful, experience-driven trips as travelers seek authentic opportunities, cultural immersion, personal growth and chances to connect on a deeper level with the destinations they visit.
Trend 2: Live Event Tourism
The brand is seeing travelers build entire trips around concerts, sporting events and cultural phenomena, a trend it is referring to as "star-chasing." WorldVia says this travel type is particularly common among younger travelers, especially Gen Z women.
Trend 3: "Maximalist Travel"
A growing segment of travelers are looking to maximize their time in destinations, checking off as many of the must-see sites and experiences as possible in a single epic visit.
Trend 4: Climate-Conscious Getaways
"Coolcations" linked to avoiding rising heat levels are on trend this summer. Popular destinations for WorldVia include Scandinavia, Iceland, Ireland and Scotland. The company says it has seen searches for "cooler holidays" increase 300% in the last year.
Trend 5: Seeking Value
Economic uncertainty is driving Americans to seek more value for their travel dollars, looking for affordable lodging and packages with great inclusions.
Trends From Priceline
Trend 1: Cowboy Culture
Based on hotel and flight booking data for June 27 through Sept. 2, Priceline has compiled its Summer Travel Preview. Among the top trends is destinations and hotels that embrace cowboy culture, with hotel searches spiking for Western-inspired destination such as Nashville; Reno, Nevada; and Denver.
Trend 2: Small-Town Escapes
Travelers are seeking charming small towns this summer, from Cape May, New Jersey, to Wildwood, New Jersey; Portland, Maine; Lake George, New York; and Newport, Rhode Island, which are all seeing increased year-over-year hotel searches.
Trend 3: Dark Skies
Starry skies and after-dark activities are on the rise, driving increased search traffic to northern lights locales such as Reykjavik, Iceland. Other destinations driving dark-sky tourism include Banff, Canada; Dubai, UAE; Singapore; and Istanbul, which are seeing increased hotel searches on Priceline.
Trends From Whimstay
Trend 1: Where Gen Z Is Going
Vacation rental platform Whimstay examined future bookings from Memorial Day to Labor Day to discover where different generations were headed this summer. The company found that Gen Z travelers are ditching tourist spots for hidden gems, favoring destinations such as Portugal; Fredericksburg, Virginia; Washington, D.C.; Columbus, Ohio; Destin, Florida; Charleston, South Carolina; Oaxaca, Mexico; and Greece.
Trend 2: Top Millennial Destinations
Top travel motivators for millennials include resting and recharging (60%), as well as exploration and adventure (52%), leading them to beach destinations such as Orange Beach, Alabama; Panama City Beach, Florida; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; and Croatia this summer. Other top destinations for this crowd include Spain, Costa Rica, Iceland and the less-visited islands of Greece.
Trend 3: Gen X's Hot Spots
Gen X travelers are prioritizing culinary experiences (45%) and authentic local experiences, according to Whimstay. Top destinations for this generation include Gulf locations; Miramar Beach, Florida; Ocean City, Maryland; Italy; Scotland; New Zealand; France; and Eastern Europe.
Trend 4: Baby Boomer Preferences
Boomers are ready to spend this summer, and want to travel with their loved ones — 77% say they would pay for their children and 81% would sponsor their grandchildren when booking their next trip. High-end destinations are favored among this age group, including Hilton Head Island, South Carolina; Japan; Antarctica; Port Aransas, Texas; and Sunriver, Oregon. River cruises and cultural tours are also in high demand for these travelers.
Trends From Solos
Trend 1: Extended Breaks
Solos, a tour operator that exclusively arranges group trips for solo travelers, is seeing increased interest among its travelers in extended breaks from full-time work as clients seek to get some rest and engage in self-exploration.
Trend 2: "Coolcations"
As summer temperatures rise worldwide, travelers continue to seek cooler climates for their vacations, an ongoing trend from the past few years. Cooler destinations provide the chance to be outside in nature without being uncomfortable, often with fewer crowds than more popular hot spots.
Trend 3: "Calmcations"
Solos is seeing burnt-out travelers seek out destinations where they can slow down and be stress-free. These clients are prioritizing peace and quiet, forgoing busy cities and over-scheduled itineraries.
Trend 4: Italy and Albania Are Hot
Italy remains Solos' top-selling destination this year, with increased demand for beach destinations such as Sardinia and Sicily (the latter is still having a moment thanks to season two of "The White Lotus"). Albania, on the other hand, is rising in popularity as an affordable alternative to neighboring Greece, offering a break from the crowds without sacrificing stunning natural scenery.
Trends From RateHawk
Trend 1: Shorter Domestic Trips Within Driving Distance
RateHawk (a B2B online system for travel professionals to book hotels, air tickets and transfers) found that travelers are favoring shorter, more frequent trips this summer, averaging three nights in length. Consequently, many consumers are opting for domestic getaways (often within driving distance), to destinations including New York, Orlando, Las Vegas, San Diego, New Orleans and Chicago. Smaller U.S. cities seeing increased interest include Sedona, Arizona; Jackson, Wyoming; and Cape May, New Jersey.
Trend 2: Top International Destinations
According to RateHawk, the top destinations for outbound travel this summer include the U.K., Spain, France, Canada, Greece, Mexico, Germany, Switzerland and Ireland. Interest in outdoor escapes and "coolcations" are driving interest in Zermatt and Grindelwald in Switzerland, while the desire for more remote seaside destinations is creating demand for Sorrento, Italy; Mykonos, Greece; Southampton, U.K.; Galway, Ireland; and more.
Trends From HotelPlanner
Trend 1: Higher Prices
According to HotelPlanner's Summer Travel Forecast, travelers can expect higher prices for the season, and may want to consider alternative cities for better value. The report found, for example, that Boston hotels are 27% cheaper than those in New York City, and Seville, Spain, is 38% less costly than Barcelona.
Trend 2: Shorter Getaways
The pandemic-era trend of shorter domestic getaways is still going strong, with long weekends (often booked at the last minute) an ongoing preference in 2025.
Trend 3: Popular Cities for the Fourth of July
According to hotel booking data from HotelPlanner, Las Vegas is the No. 1 U.S. city for Fourth of July travel this year. Cities rising in popularity for the holiday (which made it onto this year's top 25 list, but not last year's) include Miami, Seattle, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Atlanta, New Orleans, Denver, Philadelphia and Boston, among others. Destinations that dropped off the list this year include Reno, Dallas, San Antonio, Charlotte, Austin and more.
HotelPlanner also notes that hotel prices for the holiday weekend have dropped (compared to 2024) in cities such as Vegas, New York, Chicago and Indianapolis. On the other hand, travelers are willing to pay more for a stay this year in destinations including Nashville, Orlando, San Diego and Washington, D.C.
Trends From Lodgify
Trend 1: Demand Is Split Between Luxury and Budget Accommodations
Data from Lodgify (a vacation rental platform for independent hosts and property managers) indicates that middle-tier accommodation options are not in high demand, with travelers either favoring luxury properties (with bookings up 25% year over year for the January to May period) or budget options (with bookings up 24.25% for the same timeframe). That said, development of budget-friendly options is not keeping up with growing demand, as supply increased just 3.3% (compared to 11.8% at the luxury level). Lodgify predicts that this gap could make it difficult to find affordable accommodation options this summer.
Trend 2: Smaller, Cooler Towns
For June-to-August arrivals, Lodgify is seeing a trend toward smaller, cooler-climate destinations within the U.S., including Bozeman, Montana (+150%); Stateline, Nevada (+148%); Chincoteague, Virginia (+140%); Lead, South Dakota (+105%); and Portland, Maine (+100%).
Trends From Fora Travel
Trend 1: Demand Is Still High
Recent data from Fora Travel shows that travel demand remains high this summer, with domestic bookings up 202% year over year, and international bookings up 173%. Trip lengths are also longer, averaging 5.9 days compared to 5.1 days in 2024.
Trend 2: Hot Destinations
The most-booked countries for the agency this summer include the U.S., Italy, France, the U.K., Spain, Greece, Mexico, Japan, Portugal and Canada. Top international cities range from Paris and London to Rome, Florence, Athens, Barcelona, Tokyo, Lisbon, Venice and Dublin. Within the U.S., hot spots include New York City, Las Vegas, Orlando, Houston, Chicago, Seattle, Boston, San Antonio, Miami and San Francisco. Bookings to Greece, in particular, are up 171% year over year, with Santorini and Milos leading the surge in growth.
The fastest-growing destinations year over year are led by Atlanta, up 556%, followed by Calgary, Canada (+472%); Seoul (+457%); and Reykjavik, Iceland (+425%).
Destinations seeing the most searches on foratravel.com include Mallorca, Spain; Japan; Paris; Hawaii; Lisbon; and Disney parks.
Trend 3: Cruising Is Booming
Cruise bookings are growing faster than any other category for Fora this summer, seeing a 256% year-over-year spike in bookings for August.
Trends From Pilot and Campspot
Trend 1: Short Trips and "Pop-Up Escapes"
Travel center network Pilot teamed up with campground booking platform Campspot to survey nearly 2,000 travelers about their summer plans and interests. Among the findings: 53% of those surveyed are planning more short trips or weekend getaways than in past years, and 90% are looking for "pop-up escapes," or quick trips within driving distance of their homes. Camping is another popular option for the summer, with 88% of respondents already planning a one- to three-night camping trip within driving distance.
In terms of desired destinations, 58% are heading to lakes and beaches, 51% are opting for mountains or national parks and 48% looking for charming small towns. Fifty-seven percent will travel 200 miles or less for their trips.
Trend 2: Travel as a Cure for Stress
According to the report, 82% of travelers are regularly feeling stressed or overwhelmed this year, including 96% of Gen Z respondents, 96% of millennials, 89% of Gen X and 74% of boomers. Consequently, leading factors influencing travel plans for the summer include an increased desire to spend time outside, getting away from stress and burnout, and rising costs or economic uncertainty.
Trends From Harvest Hosts
Trend 1: Driving Over Flying
RV membership program Harvest Hosts took a look at Americans' current travel plans and found that 39% of those surveyed are reconsidering travel by air this summer, due to the cost. Instead, 43% are choosing to drive to their destination.
Trend 2: Economic Concerns
In fact, ongoing economic uncertainty is causing 64% of respondents to change their travel plans in some way, according to Harvest Hosts. Twenty-seven percent are choosing lower-cost trips, 14% are taking fewer trips and 12% are opting not to travel at all. Many Americans (52%) are also planning to take multiple smaller, closer-to-home trips rather than one big trip; of these respondents, 40% cite cost as the top reason for this change in plans.
Trends From Hilton
Trend 1: Beaches and Cities Rule This Summer
Recent data from Hilton.com revealed that travelers are, unsurprisingly, interested in beach escapes this summer. Coastal destinations showing the biggest increase in year-over-year search include Los Cabos, Mexico (No. 1); San Juan, Puerto Rico (No. 2); Hawaii (No. 7); and San Diego (No. 10). Urban locations also made a strong showing on the list, including New York (No. 3), Tokyo (No. 4), Paris (No. 5), Chicago (No. 6), Las Vegas (No. 8) and Nashville (No. 9).
Trends From Tripadvisor
Trend 1: Travelers Head to Cancun and Las Vegas
Tripadvisor has released its Summer Travel Index for 2025, naming Cancun, Mexico, as the top international destination for U.S. travelers this summer. Other global hotspots include Paris, London, Rome, Cabo San Lucas in Mexico and Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic.
On the domestic side, Las Vegas ranks No. 1, followed by New York City; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; Ocean City, Maryland; Chicago; and Honolulu.
Trend 2: Interest in Experiences
Activities and experiences are a top priority for travelers, with 83% reporting it's a key part of their trip budgets and 89% planning up to five activities. When it comes to rest and relaxation, all generations show interest in downtime, though it's most popular among boomers and Gen X (56%) compared to millennials and Gen Z (47%). Fifty-seven percent of travelers also report that they will book activities in advance of their travels, a figure that goes up to 78% among Gen Z and millennials.
Top trending experience categories include cultural and themed tours, outdoor activities (such as hiking and horseback riding) and water-based options (including cruises, sailing and water tours).
Trends From Allianz Partners
Trend 1: Opting for Domestic Vacations
Allianz Partners' Summer Travel report found that Americans are largely planning to travel domestically this summer, with 71% of analyzed itineraries booked for U.S. destinations. Seattle is proving the most popular city, followed by Orlando, Florida; New York; Honolulu; and Kahului, Hawaii. Rounding out the top 10 are Boston; Portland, Oregon; Las Vegas; Los Angeles; and Anchorage, Alaska.
Trend 2: Beach Escapes
Among the 29% of analyzed itineraries for international destinations, warm weather and beaches are in high demand. Mexico made multiple appearances on the list, including Cancun (No. 1), San Jose del Cabo (No. 2) and Puerto Vallarta (No. 9). The Caribbean also made a strong showing, including the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Aruba. Non-beach cities that made the list range from London, Paris and Dublin to Calgary, Canada.
Trend 3: Europe Travel Continues to Increase
Allianz has found that U.S. summer travel to Europe will rise 10% this year, continuing a four-year upward trend. In 2022, U.S. summer trips to Europe increased 600% year over year, before rising 55% in 2023 and 34% in 2024. The top 10 destinations for Americans this season include London; Paris; Dublin; Rome; Edinburgh, Scotland; Reykjavik, Iceland; Barcelona; Amsterdam; Lisbon, Portugal; and Nice, France.
Trend 4: Micro-cations
According to data from Allianz's latest Vacation Confidence Index (conducted in April), the "micro-cation" is making a comeback this summer. Defined as a leisure trip more than 100 miles from home but lasting just four nights or fewer, micro-cations are trending as travelers seek to balance time, cost and experience. Allianz found that 34% of Americans say their first vacation of the year will last two nights or less, a figure that's risen four percentage points since last year.
The study also found that one-night trips tend to be the most expensive when examined on a per-night basis, averaging $700 per night compared to $396 per night for an average weeklong vacation. Those willing to shell out for such a short getaway are likely prioritizing luxury, convenience and quality of quantity.
Trend 5: Summer Spending Is Expected to Reach Record Levels
According to the index, Americans' total vacation spending this summer is expected to hit record levels, topping $226.6 billion. This will be the sixth consecutive year of growth, with spending more than doubling since 2019's $101.7 billion. The average spend per household is $2,867, and the amount spent on one- and two-night trips has grown significantly compared to past years, reflecting the micro-cation trend.
Trend 6: Bleisure Trips
Allianz found that 52% of travelers under 35 are adding leisure time to a business trip, with men (40%) more likely to do so than women (26%).
Trend 7: Social Media, Film/Television, Events and Other Trip Motivators
Forty-seven percent of travelers age 18-34 say their trip plans are influenced by social media, while 42% of Americans under the age of 35 indicate that their plans are motivated by recent television shows and/or movies. Events are also still top travel motivators, with 63% of Americans likely to attend at least one ticketed concert or event, 29% plan to travel to a destination for a major pop culture event and 43% plan to attend a ticketed sporting event.
Forty-six percent of the 18-34 age group also wants to add solo experiences to their travel plans. Younger travelers under 35 are also leaning into luxury (31%, up 4% from last year) and say they prefer sustainable travel options and suppliers (41%).
Trend 8: More Americans Say They Can't Afford a Vacation
Fifty-one percent of Americans say they can't afford a vacation this year, though 72% say they desperately need one. That said, 39% say they are likely to travel anyway.
Trends From Kindred
Trend 1: Frustration With Rising Costs
Home-swapping community Kindred has revealed in its 2025 Summer Travel Report that the average summer getaway is now costing $259.20 more per person. Due to this rising expense, 84% of hotel guests and 84% of short-term rental users are reporting pain points with their travel experience, and 90% of U.S. travelers are actively looking for ways to cut back on their summer travel spending. Primary motivators for seeking savings include increased cost of living (49%), rising travel prices (45%) and economic uncertainty (28%).
Trend 2: Shifting Accommodation Preferences
According to Kindred's findings, top strategies for cutting back on spending include staying with friends or family (41%), opting for cost-effective accommodations (40%), taking staycations (26%) or turning to home-swapping (12%). Top traveler frustrations with hotels include high costs for extras (30%), noise and other disruptions (27%), expensive dining (26%) and limited kitchen facilities (22%). Short-term rental complaints range from high cleaning or service fees (18%) to rising prices (19%) and a lack of personal connection (13%).
Trends From Mastercard Economics Institute
Trend 1: Tokyo Is the No. 1 Destination This Summer
Mastercard Economics Institute has released its Travel Trends 2025 Report, including findings on the top destinations for travel this summer. According to the report, Tokyo has risen to be the top trending summer destination this year, leading a list heavy with Asia-Pacific locations, likely due to their value proposition. Another Japanese city, Osaka, ranks second on the list, followed by Paris and Shanghai.
Additional destinations proving popular for the season include Palma de Mallorca, Spain; Seoul, South Korea; Beijing; Madrid; Rio de Janeiro; Singapore; Nha Trang, Vietnam; Reykjavik; and Fukuoka, Japan. Interestingly, two destinations in Egypt also made the list: Hurghada and Sharm El-Sheikh.
Trends From Kayak
Trend 1: More Affordable Airfare
For its Summer Travel Check-In Report, Kayak analyzed travelers' summer trip searches and found that average flight prices are down 7% year over year in more than 100 cities, including both international and domestic spots. Sydney (-23%) and Hong Kong (-16%) saw the biggest drops. And, for the first time in years, Kayak reports that airfare over the July 4 holiday weekend is down, with domestic flights trending nearly 10% cheaper than last year.
Those seeking the best flight deals should look at domestic destinations including Orlando, Tampa and Fort Lauderdale in Florida, or Raleigh, North Carolina. On the international front, the best deals can be found for flights to Mexico City, Toronto or San Salvador (in El Salvador).
Trend 2: Increased Interest in the South Pacific, Africa
Kayak also found that interest in the South Pacific is spiking, with searches up 13% and prices down 15%. Africa is also seeing an 8% rise in searches and a 5% reduction in prices.
Trends From Google
Trend 1: Hot International Destinations
Google Flights search trends reveal high demand for Caribbean travel this summer, with Curacao ranking as the most-searched international destination, St. Lucia coming in third and Aruba ranking 10th on the list. Japan also took two spots, with Osaka in second and Tokyo in fourth. Rounding out the top 10 are Rio de Janeiro; Sydney; Tel Aviv (notable for indicating some rebounding demand for Israel); Johannesburg, South Africa; and Cairo.
Trend 2: Popular Domestic Spots
San Juan, Puerto Rico, ranked as the most-searched domestic destination for summer travel on Google Flights, followed by Billings, Montana; Nantucket, Massachusetts; St. Louis, Missouri; and Providence, Rhode Island in the top five. Also in the top 10 are Maui; Omaha, Nebraska; Juneau, Alaska; Bangor, Maine; and Madison, Wisconsin.
Trend 3: Additional Search Trends
According to Google, travel-related searches that are trending this summer include outdoor destinations such as upstate New York, Joshua Tree National Park in California and Sedona, Arizona (demand for the outdoors also explains other domestic destinations that are trending, such as Montana, Alaska and Maine).
Among families, dude ranches are proving to be hottest type of vacation in the U.S. this summer.
Trends From Explore Worldwide
Trend 1: Active Journeys
Small-group adventure travel operator Explore Worldwide is seeing an increase in bookings for active journeys this summer. The company reports a 47% year-over-year rise in walking and hiking tours, as well as 27% growth in cycling trips. Leading destinations for the brand include the coastal trails of the Azores in Portugal and hiking routes in the Dolomites.
Trends From Squaremouth
Trend 1: Rising Costs
According to travel insurance comparison service Squaremouth, the average cost of a summer trip is expected to rise 38% this year compared to 2024, reaching $10,346. Data suggests that increasing costs are unlikely to slow, making this summer one of the priciest on record and leading travelers to reconsider or scale back their plans.
Trend 2: Budget-Friendly Destinations
Given the high price of travel, many people are seeking budget-friendly destinations for their getaways. Squaremouth has found that the most popular affordable summer vacation spots this year (based on insured trip costs) include Bermuda, Vietnam, Mexico, the Bahamas, Aruba, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Poland and Turks and Caicos. In Europe specifically, top affordable spots (in addition to Poland) range from Finland, Austria and Greenland to Germany, Ireland and Spain, according to the company.
Trends From Aon Affinity
Trend 1: Affordability and Crime Are Top Concerns
Aon Affinity, the affinity business of Aon (a risk-mitigation professional services firm), commissioned a survey of more than 2,000 American adults’ travel decisions. Among the findings: 61% say that affordability is a major concern this summer, up from 56% in 2019. More than two-thirds of Americans (68%) also cite high crime as a deterrent to booking trips.
Trend 2: Younger Generations Take the Lead
According to the survey, the industry can expect to see more travel among younger generations this summer, as Gen Z (87%), millennials (85%) and Gen X (85%) are more likely to have traveled in the past year compared to Boomers (70%).
Trends From Dollar Flight Club
Trend 1: Classic Destinations Are in Demand
Flight-tracking company Dollar Flight Club has released its Summer 2025 Travel Report, revealing a resurgence in classic “bucket-list” destinations both abroad and in the U.S. International “dream destinations” include Paris, Tokyo, Rome, Cancun and Bangkok, while the domestic list features Honolulu; Orlando, Florida; Las Vegas; New York City; and Denver.
Trend 2: “Coolcations” Continue
The desire for cooler summer weather (and fewer crowds) continues to drive bookings this summer. Dollar Flight Club revealed that the most affordable destinations for partaking in the trend include Dublin; Edinburgh; Santiago, Chile; Reykjavik, Iceland; and Copenhagen.
Trends From Vacasa
Trend 1: Traveling Together
According to vacation rental platform Vacasa's 2025 Summer Travel Trends Report, summer travelers of all ages are favoring trips with friends, family or a partner. The survey of 1,000 Americans 18 years and older found that 46% of Gen Z travelers are looking to vacation with a group of friends; 57% of Gen X and 54% of millennials are vacationing with their kids; and 68% of travelers are taking a trip with their romantic partner, led by older travelers Gen X and above (76%).
Trend 2: Beaches, Nature and the U.S. Are Top Picks
When it comes to destination choice, coastal escapes are the top pick, with 56% of travelers opting for beach destinations (up from 50% last summer). National parks (29%) and lakes (27%) are also in high demand, perhaps related to the desire for a digital detox (38%). Vacasa also found that 87% of respondents plan to stay in the U.S., though only 17% of trips will be a local "staycation," while 74% of travelers will embark on a road trip.
Trend 3: Trip Frequency Is Up, But Budgets Are Down
Trip frequency is on the rise this summer, with travelers planning an average of five trips for the season, though most will likely be weekend-long or slightly extended weekend trips of 3-4 days (89%). Most travelers (79%) are opting for budget-conscious choices due to concerns related to inflation and cost of living. Travelers are choosing instead to splurge a bit on their experiences, such as food and drink (60%) and entertainment (44%).
Trend 4: Inspiration Comes From Word of Mouth, Social Media
Recommendations from friends and family reign among 56% of Americans looking for trip inspiration, though nearly 40% of Gen Z and millennials use social platforms for their vacation planning, with a preference for authentic, unsponsored content.
Trends From Expedia
Trend 1: Short-Haul Getaways Preferred
In its Summer Travel Outlook, Expedia found that Americans are favoring trips within four hours of travel, including destinations such as Cancun, Punta Cana and Aruba.
Trend 2: Opting for the Off-Season
Those taking long-haul trips are favoring off-season destinations that are also more off the beaten path, such as Cairns, Australia (up 75%), and Miyako, Japan (+105%).
Trend 3: Domestic Escapes
Expedia found that domestic destinations are popular this summer, including New York, Miami and Chicago. Madison, Wisconsin, is seeing a 250% surge in interest (with a concert series drawing music fans) and San Juan is up 55%, thanks to a Bad Bunny residency. Other hot spots include Baton Rouge, Louisiana (+165%); Tallahassee, Florida (+75%); Cleveland, Ohio (+40%); Sacramento, California (+30%); Maui County, Hawaii (+25%); and more.
Trend 4: Italy Still Rules
American interest in Italy remains high, with regions including Campania, Lombardy and Alghero seeing a surge of 100% year over year.
