Deloitte: U.S. summer travel demand six-year low

Deloitte said on May 19 that U.S. summer travel demand has fallen to its lowest level in six years as higher prices keep more households home. The firm’s 2026 Summer Travel Survey found that 45% of Americans plan to take a summer vacation with a stay in paid lodging, down from prior years and the lowest reading in the survey’s six-year series. At the same time, Deloitte said travelers who still intend to go are budgeting more money and packing more activities into their trips. The survey was based on 4,003 Americans polled April 2 through April 9. ### How far did summer travel demand fall? Deloitte said 45% of Americans plan a summer vacation with paid lodging in 2026. The firm described that as the lowest figure in six years and said rising travel costs were a central reason some households are opting out. One-third of non-travelers said travel is too expensive, at 32%, and 35% said they cannot afford it, according to the survey. (deloitte.com) Deloitte said those responses point to cost pressure rather than a broad drop in interest in leisure travel. ### What are travelers who still plan to go doing differently? Travelers expect to spend an average of $4,069 on their longest summer trip, up 17% from last year, Deloitte said. About one in four said they plan to significantly raise trip budgets, five percentage points higher than in 2025, with airline and lodging prices cited as major drivers. (prnewswire.com) Deloitte said travelers are absorbing higher costs without cutting back on experience. The report said Americans who still plan to travel expect longer trips, more activities and more premium choices even as overall participation falls. ### Which travelers are still spending? (deloitte.com) Younger travelers are helping drive the spending increase, according to Deloitte. The firm said younger generations plan to travel more often, spend more than last year and make heavier use of generative AI and other technology tools to build itineraries. (deloitte.com) Deloitte also said work is continuing to blend into leisure trips. The survey found 34% of travelers plan to work during their longest summer trip, up from 23% in 2025. ### What does Deloitte say is behind the split between fewer trips and higher spending? (deloitte.com) Deloitte titled the report “Flight or Fold: Travelers Navigate Pricing Pressure.” The firm said the summer market is being reshaped by a divide between households that are staying home because of costs and travelers who are willing to pay more for trips they still consider worthwhile. (hotel-online.com) Deloitte’s 2026 travel industry outlook, published earlier this year, had already pointed to a more selective market and to pressure on financially cautious consumers. That broader outlook said post-pandemic momentum could slow as economic uncertainty reaches high-spending groups. (deloitte.com) ### Where can readers find the full survey? Deloitte published the full “2026 Summer Travel Survey” on its Insights site on May 19. The company said the report examines how pricing pressure is shaping destination choices, trip budgets, work-and-leisure blending and traveler behavior heading into the 2026 summer season. (deloitte.com) The survey is based on responses from 4,003 Americans collected between April 2 and April 9, Deloitte said. The report and accompanying release were published on May 19, 2026. (deloitte.com)