Despite economic headwinds and rising costs, the vast majority of Americans aren’t ready to give up their summer travel plans, according to new research from Allianz Partners.
The company’s 2026 Global Travel Confidence Index — a survey of 2,001 Americans conducted by Ipsos — found that 85 percent of U.S. travelers say they desperately need a vacation this year, with women (90 percent) and Gen Xers (91 percent) expressing the greatest urgency. Seven in 10 Americans (70 percent) say they plan to travel this summer.
Domestic travel is leading the charge: 51 percent of Americans plan to stay stateside, with over a third (36 percent) gravitating toward scenic destinations such as seaside, mountain, or countryside locales. Another 27 percent plan to explore U.S. cities. International travel is on the agenda for 19 percent of respondents, while 30 percent have no travel plans at all.
The findings land amid a broader picture of resilient but recalibrating demand. The U.S. Travel Association‘s latest forecast projects total U.S. travel spending will hit a record $1.37 trillion in 2026 — with domestic leisure the only major travel segment currently exceeding pre-pandemic spending in real terms. Globally, the World Travel & Tourism Council‘s 2026 Economic Impact Research projects the sector will grow 3.2 percent this year, outpacing wider global economic growth of 2.4 percent.
Still, not all signals point in the same direction. A separate survey of 5,000 Americans, conducted by Talker Research for Current, found that 37 percent of Americans won’t travel at all this summer — with more than half of that group citing cost as the primary reason. Among those who are traveling, many are shortening their trips, choosing more affordable destinations, or leaning into staycations and micro-breaks rather than traditional vacations.
Economic pressures are shaping how travelers approach their plans in the Allianz data as well. Nearly eight in 10 respondents (79 percent) say they’re concerned about rising travel costs, and 49 percent have scaled back their plans as a result. Another 59 percent report cutting non-essential daily expenses to fund their trips. Still, average planned spending this summer reaches $2,665 per person.
The index also flagged several emerging traveler behaviors: a rise in purpose-led trips anchored around cruises, live events, and sports; increased awareness of climate risks and geopolitical instability when selecting destinations; heightened travel anxiety among Americans under 35; and growing use of AI trip-planning tools alongside rising cybersecurity concerns while on the road.
“Even in the face of economic challenges, Americans are showing a clear commitment to travel,” said Emily Hartman, general manager at Allianz Partners. “While many are making trade-offs in other areas of their budgets, they continue to prioritize meaningful travel experiences. That makes it more important than ever to plan ahead and protect those trips with travel insurance, providing peace of mind and protection when the unexpected disrupts even the most carefully planned trips.”
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