The extent to which Americans are pulling back on international trips this summer is not fully clear.
Meanwhile, a summer travel survey from Deloitte, released in May, found more Americans were traveling internationally this summer compared to 2024, with most headed to Europe.
And a recent data analysis by Allianz Partners, a travel insurance and assistance company, found summer travel from the US to Europe would increase by 10% in 2025.
The economy isn’t the only reason Americans might rethink travel to Europe this summer.
The hesitancy fueled by economic uncertainty could also make it a bit more affordable to travel to Europe this summer.
The European summer dream is still very much alive and well for many people, while the American dream may be struggling.
Denver-based millennial copywriter Jimin Shim is worried about the economy: she believes the current administration is to blame for the stock market’s volatility and the difficult job market.
However, later this month, she is taking a vacation to Portugal, and she is also treating her mother to the trip.
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“I place a lot of importance on traveling. I make an effort to travel abroad at least once a year, followed by perhaps a few domestic trips,” she told Business Insider. Additionally, I budget for and save money for that throughout the year because I know it is a priority for me. “,”.
Although demand for leisure travel has somewhat decreased this year, data and surveys indicate Shim is among the many Americans who are deciding to book their international trip after balancing their concerns about the economy. “,”.
It’s unclear to what degree Americans are reducing their summer travel abroad. According to an analysis by aviation analytics firm Cirium, summer reservations from the US to Europe decreased by almost 10% between January and May of this year compared to the previous one. Meanwhile, a May Deloitte summer travel survey revealed that Americans were going abroad more this summer than they would in 2024, with the majority going to Europe. Additionally, a recent data analysis by the travel insurance and assistance firm Allianz Partners revealed that summer travel from the United States to Europe would rise by 10% in 2025.
Travel to Europe this summer may be reconsidered by Americans for reasons other than the economy. Because of the current administration’s foreign policy stance, some Americans are concerned about their safety or don’t feel welcome abroad, and the US dollar isn’t worth as much as it once did.
The situation may become more complicated because Americans are also taking longer to make travel reservations.
It’s evident, however, that a lot of Americans are taking trips overseas in spite of the decline in consumer confidence.
Amir Eylon, president and CEO of Longwoods International, a market research firm that deals with the travel and tourism sector, told BI, “I think you’re seeing a hesitancy.”. “I continue to think that most Americans who had planned to travel overseas will still do so. “..”.
What makes Euro Summer so appealing?
While there are signs of a slowdown, Eylon stated that it does not appear to be a “game-changing” change. According to his company’s monthly consumer sentiment survey of 1,000 tourists, fewer Americans said they were highly likely to travel abroad in the upcoming year in May than in January (25 percent).
In line with other industry experts who have previously told BI that travelers are booking closer to their travel dates, partly in an effort to find the best deals, he observed that travelers appeared to be in a “wait and see” mode this spring.
Although it’s too early to tell the whole picture, Eylon said it’s possible that Americans will travel to Europe less frequently overall this year. Those who decide to cancel or scrap their travel plans will, in his opinion, be the exception.
According to him, many Americans consider travel to be a “right,” and “American travelers view it as a need more than a want.”. “.
That’s exactly how she and many other Gen Zers and millennials—including those traveling to Europe—see travel, according to Atlanta-based travel content creator Meredith Pierce. Even though people are worried about their finances, Pierce sees the popular “Euro summer” travel trend as enduring and persistent.
Pierce stated, “Everyone enjoys the idea of sipping an Aperol spritz while gazing at the Mediterranean, especially if you are stressed out in your daily life due to politics, the economy, budgets, or anything else of that sort. I believe that some escapism is also involved. “.”.
This summer’s travel to Europe may become somewhat more affordable due to the reluctance sparked by economic uncertainty. Eylon pointed out that some airfare price drops brought about by the slowdown in leisure travel might have convinced some Americans who were on the fence to make the move.
Flight prices fell as some airlines halted their annual projections in March and April as economic worries, primarily stoked by Trump’s tariff policy, grew.
Pierce thinks that many people jumped in instead of being alarmed by the economic uncertainty. When her “Euro summer” posts from the previous year went viral, she was inundated with direct messages and inquiries from people who had discovered a cheap flight to Europe and were now making travel plans.
Some tourists on a tight budget are choosing less expensive and less well-known European locations, like Albania or Poland, which offer similarly beautiful scenery but are less expensive than Italy or Paris, according to Pierce.
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When they reach their destination, they will spend more wisely.
By April, as worries about tariffs and the economy grew, many American travelers had already partially or even completely booked their major summer vacations, according to Deloitte’s summer travel survey. According to the survey, slightly more Americans planned to take leisure vacations this summer than in 2024, even though consumers’ perception of their financial well-being decreased year over year in April.
Travelers who wanted to save money, according to Deloitte, were choosing less expensive flight and hotel classes and reducing their in-destination spending.
While some Americans are becoming more frugal, the survey also revealed that many Americans are prioritizing international travel, bucket list trips, and other unique travel experiences.
42 percent of passengers were taking their longest summer flight abroad, up from 38 percent in 2024, according to Deloitte. Additionally, compared to the previous year, those going abroad were more likely to raise their travel expenditures.
Despite her financial worries, Shim, the Denver copywriter, has a unique reason for making her trip to Portugal work this year. Since her grandfather passed away last year, her family has been going through a difficult period. She is taking this vacation to treat her mother, who has never been to Europe, and to spend quality time with her. It will be their first trip together.
In addition, she stated, “I believe that traveling and spending quality time with loved ones is a great way to just take care of your mental and emotional health too, which I think is also very important to do in these times of uncertainty and tumultuousness and a lot of tension and division.”. “,”.
