2026 Portrait of American Travelers™ "Summer Edition" Only

Portrait of American Travelers™ 2026 | Summer Edition

MMGY's quarterly study of U.S. leisure travel behavior.

Portrait of American Travelers™ – Summer Edition explores the latest travel intentions, spending expectations, destination preferences, and trip planning behaviors of active U.S. leisure travelers. The report examines the evolving travel outlook, vacation motivators, booking timelines, and the growing role of AI.

Methodology

An online survey of 4,371 U.S. adults was conducted in May 2026, including 3,506 active leisure travelers. Active leisure travelers are defined as adults aged 18+ who intend to take at least one overnight leisure trip in the next 12 months. Respondents were randomly selected for the 20-minute survey, and the sample was weighted to represent the U.S. leisure travel population.

What's Inside

The report covers nine chapters: Travel Outlook Snapshot · Where People Want to Visit · Vacation Motivators & Activities · International Travel & Trip Planning · Traditional Travel Advisors · Online Travel Agencies · Key Takeaways · Respondent Demographics · Appendix

Key Data Highlights

• Travelers expect to take 3.5 leisure trips and spend $5,570 over the next 12 months.

• Nearly half (49%) plan to take a leisure trip within the next three months.

• Rising travel costs continue to influence travel decisions, with gas prices now having the greatest impact on future travel plans.

Who Is This For?

This report provides destinations, travel brands, hospitality organizations, and industry stakeholders with timely consumer intelligence to better understand changing traveler expectations, planning behaviors, and booking preferences, supporting more informed marketing, product, and strategic decisions.