U.S. Summer Travel Snapshot 2025 – What Property Managers Need to Know

Summer is the busiest season for vacation rentals — and in 2025, U.S. travelers are showing high enthusiasm: 77% say they’re excited or happy to travel. They’re staying closer to home, booking at least two months in advance, and watching their budgets. Our U.S. Summer Travel Snapshot 2025 offers insights property managers can use to prepare. From guest profiles to rising risks and evolving expectations, here’s what to expect — and how to stay ahead.

💰 Spending & Stay Length: Guests Are Spending Smarter

Travelers expect to spend an average of $3,132 per trip — down from $4,199 in 2024. The average trip duration is now 1.5 weeks. Most trips involve smaller groups, with the average party size at just 2.4 travelers.

This points to more compact, experience-driven vacations — where travelers seek both comfort and flexibility within a condensed window. Vacation rentals remain a go-to option for families thanks to their space, convenience, and ability to accommodate varied needs.

🚗 How They’re Traveling & Where They’re Staying

• Over half (53%) of travelers prefer vacationing within the U.S.
• Preferred settings: seaside > city > mountains/countryside
• Transportation: #1 by car, #2 by plane, #3 using other means, #4 by train
• Accommodations: 58% plan to stay in hotels, 24% in vacation rentals

Nature-focused, family-friendly, and culturally immersive trips are leading preferences. Rental homes located near beaches or cultural destinations are especially attractive this season.

📅 When They’re Booking: Peak Season and Short Windows

Peak travel months remain steady: June and July (30% each), and August (26%). However, 71% of travelers book at least two months in advance. That means your window for securing high-season guests is shorter — and the pressure on pricing, listing visibility, and rapid communication is rising.

The earlier you optimize your listings, the better positioned you’ll be to capture this demand.

⚠️ Guest Concerns Are Still High — And So Is the Opportunity

Safety, scams, and lost belongings are the top concerns for travelers.

Despite all this, only 41% of travelers say they plan to purchase travel protection this summer. This signals a strong opportunity to offer guests optional travel protection that helps safeguard both their trip — and your revenue.

🔎 Trends to Watch: Smart, Sustainable, and Purposeful Travel

• Couples (55%) and families (33%) are the dominant travel groups
• 22% of travelers have already used AI for trip planning
• 25% say they plan to try AI tools in the future
• 43% would use AI for activity recommendations/information

• 19% have used AI to choose travel protection 26% plan to
• 51% would shift their habits if rewarded with sustainable brand perks from the government

• Top vacation values: nature, connection with friends/family, cultural discovery
• Emerging travel trends: slow tourism, event-based trips, less touristy destinations

This signals more thoughtful travel — where experiences are customized, values-aligned, and time-efficient.

📌 What This Means for You

• Short booking windows = quick responses and flexible terms
• Rental homes in coastal or culturally rich areas may see increased demand
• Highlighting nature, safety, and cultural connection in your listings can help convert
• Travel protection is an easy value-add that builds trust and helps reduce refund pressure

✅ Final Takeaway

Guests are ready to travel — and they’re looking for reassurance, not just a reservation. By understanding what travelers want and worry about, property managers can turn risks into opportunities and a strong season.

📊 Survey Methodology

The U.S. Summer Travel Snapshot 2025 is based on the 2025 Holiday Barometer conducted by Europ Assistance in partnership with Ipsos. The survey was conducted online between February 24 and March 26, 2025, among a nationally representative sample of 1,000 U.S. adults aged 18 and older. A total of 23 countries participated in the study: Germany, Austria, Belgium, Spain, France, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Czech Republic, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand, United States, Canada, Japan, Hong Kong, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, India, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates.