Deloitte 2025 Summer Travel Survey shows that more than half (53%) Americans intend to travel and pay for lodging during the summer. This is a significant increase over the 48% recorded last year despite economic and financial pressures. Americans are adapting by taking more frequent but shorter trips. Other factors that influence travel patterns include remote work and technology.
Deloitte’s 2025 Summer Survey shows that 53% of Americans intend to travel and pay for lodging this summer. This represents an increase of 48% from the previous year. Due to financial concerns, many are altering their travel plans and opting for shorter but more frequent trips. According to survey results, 80% are planning to stay in hotels despite their financial concerns. This is an increase from 73% who planned to do so in 2024.
Travel Budgets & Adjustments
Americans who were surveyed in March 2025 said they planned to spend on average $3,987 for their longest summer vacation, which is a 13% rise from 2024. In April 2025 however, the plans had changed and the average planned spending was $3,471, a slight increase over last year. In addition, the survey revealed that high prices had affected travel plans. For example, more Americans planned to drive rather than fly (22%), or to stay with friends and relatives instead of a hotel (24%).
The Influence of Technology on Remote Work
Summer travel plans are influenced by more than just finances. Technology, remote working, and sustainability also play a role. In the survey, it was found that Americans plan to use Generative AI to book their trips for summer this year. Nearly a quarter of Americans plan to work on their vacations.
Travel and Financial Pressure
Economic pressures have affected travel spending despite travel plans. In a survey conducted in March, travelers said they planned to spend 21 percent more on summer travel than the year before. But a survey conducted in April showed that travellers were pulling back, and expected their budgets to rise only by 13 percent.
Travel decisions are influenced by price
Travelers’ plans are likely to be affected by high prices. In response to high airfare prices, more than one fifth of respondents (22%) chose to drive rather than fly. A quarter (24%) of Americans planned to stay in their homes instead of hotels due to high hotel rates. In spite of these concerns about finances, the majority of Americans plan to stay at hotels (80% by 2025 as opposed to 73% in 2024), and in private rentals (25% instead of 22%) during summer travel.
Other influences on travel decisions
Summer travel is shaped by other factors than economics. Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI), which is used by 15% of the travelers surveyed, has grown in importance. Sustainability is a major concern for travelers of all ages, but especially younger ones. Gen Z prioritizes hotels, rentals and airlines with high sustainability ratings.
