Summer Vacation Travel Trends for 2024: What's Hot

As summer travel gets closer, experts are spotting new trends that will change how millions of Americans vacation. The "revenge travel" wave is fading, but summer travel is still strong. Nearly half of Americans are planning a trip this summer¹

. Experts predict a 4.1% increase in hotel revenue, showing people still want to travel¹. But what are the top trends and places to visit in 2024?

Key Takeaways

• Generational differences shape vacation choices, with Gen Z focusing on deals, millennials using credit card miles, Gen X going solo, and baby boomers choosing family trips¹
• Money matters a lot, with richer people traveling more due to higher costs, but some skip trips because they're too expensive¹
• Luxury and premium experiences will boost the high-end travel market¹
• More people are traveling alone, choosing unique places like RVs and camping, and sports tourism is getting popular for unforgettable experiences¹
• The strong U.S. dollar might change where Americans travel, making foreign places more appealing¹

Revenge Travel Wave Subsiding, But Summer Still Busy

The "revenge travel" wave might be slowing down, but summer travel is still strong. About 44 million Americans plan to travel for Memorial Day². This is a big number, showing many people want to make up for lost time².

Experts predict a 4.1% increase in hotel revenue this summer². Sachin Avadhani and Michael Selinger, from EY, think hotels will have a busy summer².

Nearly Half of Americans Plan Summer Travel

Even though "revenge travel" might be fading, summer trips are still popular. Nearly half of Americans are planning a summer trip². This is a bit less than last year, but still a big number².

Projections Point to 4.1% Year-Over-Year Increase in RevPAR

Experts predict a 4.1% increase in hotel revenue this summer². This means hotels can look forward to a strong summer.

"Revenge travel trend is projected to continue with an increasing booking window for summer 2023."²

The "revenge travel" trend is likely to keep going, with people booking summer trips early². This means leisure travel will stay popular in the coming months.

With countries like Australia, Japan, and China opening up again, we expect more people to travel this summer².

Generational Differences in Travel Preferences

As summer travel gets closer, we see clear trends in what different ages want from their trips. Gen Z looks for deals, while baby boomers go for family vacations. Each group has its own set of expectations and priorities.

Gen Z: Deals and Bundling

Gen Z loves to find deals and bundles their trip plans online³. They use credit card miles and rewards to make their trips more affordable.

Millennials: Miles and Weekends

Millennials use credit card miles for their trips abroad³. They prefer short trips, saving up for their travels³.

Gen X: Solo and Friend Trips

With kids growing up, Gen X is taking more solo or friend trips³. They travel for rest and relaxation, more than any other group³.

Baby Boomers: Multi-Generational Family Travel

Baby boomers love to travel with their families³. They take longer vacations, making up a big part of summer travelers³.

These different groups show how complex summer travel is. Companies need to meet the unique needs of each group to attract them⁴.

Budget a Major Factor in Summer Travel Plans

Travel costs are going up, with some hotels reaching record prices. This change is making summer vacation plans shift⁵. Deloitte's study shows that 74% of those making over $100,000 a year plan a summer trip in 2024. But, only 60% of Gen Z and 61% of millennials do⁵.

Many Americans are finding it hard to afford their summer trips⁵. In fact, 47% are skipping their summer vacation because of cost. And 36% are willing to go into debt to fund their trip⁵. Overall, 65% of those not planning a vacation say it's because they can't afford it⁵.

"Some travelers are opting out of traveling entirely due to their perception that travel is too expensive right now, rather than not being able to afford it," says Deloitte's Mike Daher⁵.

Higher Income Brackets Dominate Due to Increased Travel Costs

The rise in travel costs is changing who can afford summer vacations⁵. Deloitte found that 44% of summer travelers this year earn over $100,000. This is up from 35% last year⁵.

Some Opt Out Completely, Citing Cost as Prohibitive Factor

Higher costs are pushing many Americans out of summer travel⁵. Nearly half (47%) are skipping their summer vacation for financial reasons⁵.

Last year, 58% of Americans couldn't afford a summer vacation. This trend is likely to continue in 2024, with 28% of U.S. adults skipping a trip for the same reason⁵. Travel providers need to offer more affordable options to reach a wider audience⁶.

Travel Metric	Statistic
Americans taking summer vacations	53%5
Travelers willing to go into debt for summer vacation	36%5
Americans skipping summer vacation due to cost	47%5
Travelers using debt to pay for summer travel	36%5
Travelers with $100k+ household income planning summer vacation	74%5
Travelers planning to use credit cards for trip expenses	62%6

The summer travel season is showing the effects of rising costs. Higher-income groups are leading the way, but many are being priced out⁵. Travel providers need to offer options for all budgets to keep travel accessible⁶⁵⁷.

Demand for Luxury and Premium Segment Experiences

Luxury travel and premium hotels are set to see a big increase in demand as the travel industry recovers in 2024⁸. Domestic tourism will stay strong, focusing on places within the U.S. or Africa⁸. Boutique hotels in popular outdoor spots across the U.S. are seeing more leisure travel and visits to national parks⁸.

Experts say the high-end experience will drive growth in the premium segment, despite challenges in pricing and ADR⁸. Travelers are choosing the right experience over the cost, with 79% saying so⁹. Also, 66% are ready to pay more for an upgrade on their next trip, boosting demand for luxury and premium options⁹.

Hotels in the luxury and premium sectors are adapting by offering unique and unforgettable experiences⁸. They're focusing on surprise and delight in design and amenities, as travelers look for more than just a hotel stay⁸. The industry is also moving towards a subscription model, offering instant benefits and exclusive access⁸.

As luxury and premium travel grows, hotels must focus on top-notch service, unique offerings, and technology to meet traveler needs⁸. By meeting the demands of this profitable market, hotels can thrive in the competitive summer travel season of 2024⁸.

Solo Travel and Spontaneity on the Rise

Experiential travel has made solo travel more popular. It has also led to more travel services for those who want spontaneous and real experiences¹⁰. Experts say this change is because people now prefer deep, personal experiences over saving money¹⁰.

More and more, solo trips are on the rise. In fact, 76% of young people, like millennials and Gen Z, plan to go on a solo trip in 2024¹⁰. Also, 60% of those traveling alone plan to take two or more trips this year¹¹. This trend shows how people are valuing being independent and taking sudden trips.

Platforms like Airbnb, HotelTonight, Expedia, and Booking.com are making it easier for people to take last-minute trips¹². This has helped more people enjoy the excitement of unplanned adventures.

Most people, 78%, find the idea of sudden trips exciting¹¹. And 77% of young people have taken a last-minute trip before¹¹. This desire for spontaneity and real experiences is driving the need for travel services that offer unique and flexible trips¹⁰.

It's not just the young who are into solo and spontaneous travel. In fact, 65% of people are more eager to go on a big trip this year than ever before¹⁰. This shows that the trend is broad and not just for the young. As travel changes, knowing and using these new trends will help businesses attract a wide range of guests¹².

"The shift toward experiences has led to a rise in solo travel, as well as a proliferation of travel services that cater to travelers' desire for spontaneity and cultural authenticity."

Summer vacation travel trends for 2024

As summer gets closer, experts see big changes in vacation travel for 2024. Summer is still a peak time for travel, with nearly half of Americans planning trips¹³.

Travel styles vary by generation. Gen Z looks for deals, while millennials use credit card miles for trips. Gen X is going solo or with friends as their kids leave home. Baby boomers want trips with their families¹³.

Money matters a lot for summer travel. Wealthier people are more likely to travel because it's more expensive now. But some are skipping trips because they can't afford it¹³.

There's a big push for luxury and unique experiences in travel. People want vacations that stand out and are memorable¹³.

Traveling alone and being spontaneous is becoming more popular. There's a growing need for services that cater to these trends. People want to explore places that are truly local and off the usual path¹³.

Most Popular Domestic Summer Destinations	Fastest-Growing Domestic Destinations
Las Vegas, Nevada14	Yosemite National Park, California14
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina14	College Station, Texas14
Orlando, Florida14	Santa Rosa Beach, Florida14
Honolulu, Hawaii14

Even with economic worries, most Americans aren't cutting back on summer trips. In fact, 95% are either keeping their spending the same or increasing it¹⁴. They're focusing on things like tours, experiences, and activities. This includes museums, art galleries, food and wine tours, and amusement or water parks¹⁴.

As summer travel gets closer, experts predict a big demand for vacation experiences. People want to make memories and enjoy the summer spirit¹⁵.

Rise of Alternative Accommodations Like RVs and Camping

Travelers are looking for deeper experiences, leading to a surge in demand for unique places to stay. This includes private rentals, bed and breakfasts, RVs, and camping. In fact, 23% of travelers plan to choose private rentals, and 14% are eyeing B&Bs or RVs¹⁶.

Resort brands are now offering more RV parks and camping spots to meet this trend. Margaritaville, for example, has launched Camp Margaritaville RV park with millennials in mind¹⁷. Outdoorsy has hit $2 billion in total transactions, and Harvest Hosts saw a 57% jump in members from 2020 to 2021¹⁷.

It's not just about RVs and camping. RVshare saw a 40% jump in bookings in 2022, with shoulder season bookings growing 35% faster than peak season¹⁷. This shows travelers want more flexibility and real experiences, moving past traditional hotels.

As summer travel gets closer, the popularity of alternative stays is set to grow. Resort brands and rental platforms are adjusting to what today's travelers want.

Brands expanding RV resort and camping offerings to meet demand

Resort brands are taking notice of the RV and camping trend. Margaritaville, for instance, has launched Camp Margaritaville to tap into this market¹⁷. This move shows a shift in what travelers want: unique, immersive experiences that let them connect with nature and set their own pace.

"The rise of alternative accommodations like RVs and camping is a direct response to travelers' desire for more meaningful, authentic experiences. Resort brands are adapting their offerings to meet this growing demand."

Sports Tourism Expected to Boom

The rise in experiential travel is set to boost sports tourism. Hotels near big events like the Summer Olympics in Paris and the ICC Men's T20 World Cup will see more guests¹⁸. The tourism industry is moving towards sustainability in sports, with more eco-friendly practices at sports events¹⁸. Technology is changing sports tourism with VR tours and AI-driven recommendations, making the experience better for tourists¹⁸.

The sports tourism industry is expected to grow by 17.5% each year from 2023 to 2028¹⁹. Europe leads in sports tourism revenue at 38%¹⁹. Adventure sports and wellness retreats are becoming popular, showing a shift towards holistic sports tourism¹⁸.

Hotels Capitalizing on Major Sporting Events

Hotels are adding yoga facilities, meditation spaces, and padel courts to meet wellness and sports trends¹⁹. Partnerships between sports brands and travel destinations are successful, increasing brand awareness and engagement¹⁹.

Olery's data analysis is key to shaping the future of sports tourism. It helps destinations and businesses understand what travelers want and tailor their offerings.¹⁸