'How I spent my summer vacation': American Summer Travel Trends

Summer travel is on the rise. Our annual survey found that more Americans will be packing a bag and heading out on a summer vacation. 68% of travelers indicated they had summer travel plans up a bit from last year and up from 61% in 2016, continuing a positive trend. Travelers are spending less and taking more time to soak in the summer rays. The average budget, $2,643 decreased slightly while average trip duration increased to 1.5 weeks. 

Longer vacation time requires more time from a planning perspective. Those in search of summer vacation ideas should look to our guide for choosing the best vacation. Topping off the list of foreign summer vacation destinations for U.S. summer vacation was Canada. Canada was closely followed by Mexico in second place and the Bahamas, Italy, and France all tied for third. When asked how they preferred to spend summer vacation, 46% of American chose domestic destinations. 

What types of locations reigned supreme? Beaches and cities were the top choices for U.S. travelers. Whether they chose to hang ten or experience the urban grind, Americans chose a number of vacation activities that they preferred including: 

• Spending time with family and friends (48%)
• Discovering different cultures/getting a complete change of scenery (45%)
• Relaxing (39%)

Top cities for travelers taking an urban escape were London, Paris, New York, and Rome and U.S. travelers rated France the most romantic country to visit. 

It’s no surprise that multigenerational family vacations are a top summer trend according to a recent article by Forbes. Multigenerational travel can be a fun way to bring together family members. To accommodate all members some families choose popular vacation rentals destinations while others chose to sail the high season family cruises. Finding the right summer vacation ideas can be a challenge, but luckily travel apps can help families in need find the right restaurants, local activities, and events. 

Our travel survey showed that about half, 46% of U.S. travelers, book vacation at least four months in advance. Planning ahead? You may need some tips for your family vacation? Read our planning tips and start your to-do list.

Do you often travel long distances? According to Condé Nast, frequent fliers will be happy to learn that a number of major airlines including United and Delta are expected to update and increase business class offerings. This could mean more privacy and more legroom for travelers looking to get the best of in-flight service. 

Travel delays and interruptions can put a damper on an otherwise fun vacation. Did you know travel insurance can help when you fly? Learn more about our travel protection plans. 

The Cruise Lines International Association’s (CLIA) Travel Agent Cruise Industry Outlook report highlights trends that agents have noticed and expect to see in the near future. The report suggests that last year’s trend, river cruising, is expected to gain growth among Millennials. 

“Cruisers see cruises as a great way to sample different destinations and cities for later vacations. Millennials are inherent snackers, they love to try new things before they go all in. And, increasingly they are likely to return to destinations visited first via a cruise”, CLIA’s 2018 Consumer Report mentions. 

Are you embarking on a cruise soon? You may want to consider adding a travel protection plan. Read why travel insurance is crucial for your vacation.

Whether you are relaxing on a beach or enjoying the breathtaking scenery in a national park, one thing is certain, because of the unexpected circumstances that can arise during a trip, travel insurance is recommended.

Americans that plan to travel this summer indicated that they are usually covered by insurance for health related issues for themselves or their family (70%), a vehicle breakdown (71%), a transportation accident (67%), and the loss of personal belongings, like luggage (57%).

How can a travel protection plan help? Some coverages travelers can benefit from are: emergency medical evacuation, trip interruption, and lost or stolen wallet and passport assistance, all of which could delay a travel itinerary or ruin vacation plans.

Summer travel is on the rise. Our annual survey found that more Americans will be packing a bag and heading out on a summer vacation. 68% of travelers indicated they had summer travel plans up a bit from last year and up from 61% in 2016, continuing a positive trend. Travelers are spending less and taking more time to soak in the summer rays. The average budget, $2,643 decreased slightly while average trip duration increased to 1.5 weeks.