With the summer travel season in full swing, Vacasa teamed up with Allison to see where Americans are headed during this sunny season, what's driving their vacation plans, and how much they've budgeted for their trips. Survey results*, recently released in the Vacasa 2024 Summer Travel Trends Report, reveal that travelers will take multiple trips (five on average throughout the summer), with most staying in the states -United (89%) and that their eyes are turned towards lake and seaside destinations (representing 63% of all summer trips).
Given current economic conditions, 81% of summer travelers have changed their plans or planning habits to be more budget-conscious. Vacasa looked at search and booking data to see which traditional vacation spots are still affordable through Labor Day. Destinations like Panama City Beach, Florida, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and Hilton Head, South Carolina all offer summer experiences for summer travelers and have average daily rates under $250/night. Travelers say they choose to stay in a vacation rental because it offers the best value (66%), provides access to private amenities (57%), and offers better location options than other accommodation (43%).
Here's a look at some of the travel trends expected to be popular this summer:
- Nearly half of Americans are taking a summer vacation this year (49%), and 56% of them plan to travel more often than last summer.
- Vacations in the United States are a popular choice for travelers this season, with most Americans choosing to stay in the United States this summer (89%).
- On average, summer travelers will take five trips during the season, most commonly weekend or long weekend getaways (90%) and week-long trips (67%), and some extending even further into vacations of several weeks or more (36%).
- A growing summer trend, vacation rentals remain a popular option for summer travelers, with 42% choosing to book a stay in a vacation rental over other accommodation options (up from 38% in 2023 and 32 % in 2022).
- Summer vacation travel will be big this year, with 72% of travelers planning to travel over holiday weekends. July 4 (43%) will remain one of the most popular summer holidays for Americans.
- Like summer, travelers seek to enjoy the sun by a body of water. (63%), with most travelers heading to the beach (50%).
- Road trips will continue this warmer season, with more than three-quarters traveling by car, campervan or RV to their destination (77%), particularly those in Gen X and above (82%), while 41% of summer travelers will take a flight.
- More than a third of summer travelers want to build on their vacation memories from previous years by traveling to repeat destinations (34%), with parents of older children (18 or older) particularly likely to do it (40%).
- Gen Z and Millennials are large contributors to the summer travel scene, with 58% of them taking trips this season, compared to 41% of Gen X and above.
