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Deloitte: Americans plan to travel more this summer, trips may be shorter
Friday, May 23, 2025 — 17:07:04 (UTC)
NEW YORK, May 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ --
Key takeaways
According to Deloitte's 2025 Summer Travel Survey, more than half (53%) of Americans surveyed plan to travel and stay in paid lodging this summer, up from 48% last year. Many are making it work by taking more frequent, but shorter, trips.
Despite financial concerns, more Americans surveyed plan to stay in hotels (80% in 2025 vs. 73% in 2024) and private rentals (25% vs. 22%) at least once during the summer travel season, according to Deloitte's 2025 Summer Travel Survey.
Financial pressures may be top-of-mind, but Americans are determined to take their summer trips, as 53% of those surveyed in April plan to travel and stay in paid lodging, up from 48% last year. Many are making it work by taking more frequent, but shorter, trips.
When asked about budgets in March 2025, Americans planned to spend $3,987 (13% higher than 2024). Though, one month later in April 2025, Americans updated plans to spend an average of only $3,471 on their longest summer trip, an increase of less than 1% year-over-year.
Most travelers surveyed in April reported prices forced some adjustments to their trips in the past year, including more Americans saying they plan to drive vs. fly (22%) or they will stay with friends and family instead of at hotels at some point in the past year (24%).
Outside of financial considerations, technology, remote work and sustainability continue to influence summer travel plans. The number of Americans surveyed in March who plan to use GenAI to book rose to 15% this year; meanwhile, nearly a quarter (23%) plan to work during their summer trips.
Why this matters
While Americans continue to prioritize leisure travel, economic headwinds may send summer travel plans in a new direction. In its new report, "Right-sized American Summer: 2025 Deloitte Summer Travel Survey," Deloitte examines the trends and preferences that could shape the upcoming summer travel season, and how Americans' financial concerns may impact the landscape. The report includes data from two surveys, one fielded between March 23 and April 1, and another fielded between April 7 and April 9.
Surveyed travelers expect to keep their plans
Americans continue to prioritize leisure travel, with planned summer travel spend expected to hold steady this year compared to last year. Although some may reconsider where they're going and how they'll get there amid economic pressures, many seem determined to pack their bags and make it work. The April survey found the following:
More than half (53%) of Americans surveyed plan to travel and stay in paid lodging this summer, up from 48% last year. Americans surveyed plan to take an average of 3.1 summer trips (compared to 2.3 in 2024).
More travelers surveyed are looking for a quick getaway: 41% plan to take a summer trip of three nights or fewer, compared to 37% last year. However, when looking at their longest planned trip of the summer, many are adding days: 45% of travelers say their longest trip will last a week or more, up from 39% in 2024.
Though most travelers surveyed (77%) say their longest trip will fall before the end of August, 23% of Americans surveyed say it will take place post-Labor Day (Sept. 1). This has been an ongoing trend, increasing steadily year on year from 12% of marquee trips in 2022.
Finances also appear to impact travelers' plans once they get to their destination. Those who said they feel financially worse off this year are less likely to splurge on excursions such as a guided day trip or sightseeing tour (30% vs. 42% of those feeling financially better), a ticketed or public event like a festival or concert (27% vs. 31%), or a small group or one-on-one class (9% vs. 17%).
The impact of remote work on travel plans remains steady. Nearly a quarter (23%) of travelers surveyed plan to work on their longest trip this summer, up slightly from 2024 (21%).
Laptop luggers are increasingly more likely to take longer trips (39% in 2025 vs. 31% in 2024), travel to farther-away international destinations (20% vs. 14%) and stay at private rentals (20% vs. 15%).
Economic headwinds impact travel spending
While Deloitte's survey in March 2025 found that travelers planned to spend 21% more this summer over last, the April survey found that survey travelers were pulling back on plans slightly with travel budgets expected to increase by only 13% year-over-year.
While total spend throughout the summer is still increasing year-over-year, budgets when looking at the longest trip of the season only are flat. As of late March, American travelers surveyed had planned to increase budgets for their longest trip this summer to $3,987 — 13% higher than in 2024. In April, those surveyed said they planned to spend an average of $3,471 — less than 1% higher than in 2024.
Many travelers who are planning on decreasing budgets are shifting spending away from one big trip in favor of shorter, more frequent trips, a preference that rose from 18% in March to 28% in April.
Those surveyed in April who plan to reduce their travel spend say they expect to take shorter trips (43%), stay at budget hotels (33%), stay with family and friends (30%), and pick cheaper airfare classes (20%).
For those still spending significantly more on their longest 2025 summer trip (19% as of April, compared to 23% in March), it's because the trip now feels more special. In the April survey, 49% of respondents attributed the higher spend to bucket list trips, versus 41% who said the same in March.
Key quote
"Travelers appear eager to embark on their summer trips, but pricing pressures and economic influences are expected to chart the course for how they get there. By swapping flights for road trips or planning shorter, budget-friendly adventures, travelers are likely seeking value while making memories. By remaining nimble in their offerings, providers have an opportunity to meet travelers halfway, offering flexibility and options, and, most importantly, reminding travelers what their summer trips are all about."
— Kate Ferrara, vice chair and U.S. transportation, hospitality and services sector leader, Deloitte
Price plays a key role in selecting travel providers
Perceptions of high prices are expected to impact travelers' plans. More than 1 in 5 (22%) respondents say they decided to drive instead of fly this year in response to airfare prices. Meanwhile, nearly a quarter (24%) planned to stay with friends and family instead of at a hotel due to room rates this year. The April survey found the following about summer travel plans:
Despite financial concerns, more Americans surveyed plan to stay in hotels (80% in 2025 vs. 73% in 2024) and private rentals (25% vs. 22%) at least once during the summer travel season.
Of air travelers, 42% plan to fly internationally on their longest trip. Trips to Asia are on par with last year (14% of international travelers plan to go, up 2 percentage points year-over-year) while trips to Europe are down (44%, down 5 percentage points year-over-year), though Europe remains the primary international destination.
Road trips are on the rise: The number of travelers planning to take a road trip this summer jumped from 64% for those surveyed in March to 71% for those surveyed in April, also up year-over-year from 2024 (66%).
Even high-income travelers are looking to cut costs, particularly on flights. More plan to book lower-fare tickets with their preferred airlines (36% vs. 28% in 2024) instead of purchasing upgrades or first-class tickets.
Additional influences help steer travel decisions
Beyond economic pressures, other trends continue to shape the outlook for summer travel, from emerging technologies to sustainability priorities, based on responses to the March survey.
Generative AI's (GenAI) role in travel is growing: 15% of travelers surveyed are using it in trip planning, up from 10% last year. Gen Z usage has caught up to millennials (both 23%) while Gen X usage doubled compared to 2024 (13% vs. 7%).
More than half of those turning to GenAI to plan travel (61%) use it to research in-destination activities and attractions, followed by destinations (38%) and dining options (47%).
Increasingly, travelers are following through with GenAI's recommendations: 44% of GenAI users surveyed have visited or booked a restaurant based on GenAI's recommendation, up from 30% in 2024. Another third (33%) did so for in-destination activities or attractions, up from 26% in 2024.
Sustainability matters, especially for younger travelers: 38% of Gen Z travelers surveyed prioritize hotels, rentals and airlines with higher sustainability ratings, compared to just 16% of Boomers.
Key quote
"Financial factors aren't the only thing impacting summer travel plans. Younger travelers are increasingly leveraging GenAI to plan their trips, while older generations are checking off their bucket lists, and many others continue to bring their laptops along for the ride. Each demographic wants something a little bit different — and offers the travel industry ways to tap into their collective loyalty this summer and beyond."
— Eileen Crowley, U.S. transportation, hospitality and services leader, Audit & Assurance partner, Deloitte & Touche LLP
The Deloitte "2025 Summer Travel Survey" is based on two surveys of Americans. The first surveyed 1,794 travelers between March 23 and April 1. The second surveyed 1,064 travelers between April 7 and April 9.
About Deloitte
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