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Travel demand in the United States is showing signs of slowing as 2026 approaches, according to a new survey conducted by YouGov and commissioned by The Points Guy (TPG). Despite travel's resilience throughout 2025, major airlines have reported in their third-quarter earnings that expectations for the remainder of the year are lower than they were at its start. Economic factors such as tariffs, inflation, and high interest rates continue to affect consumer spending on travel.
The survey indicates that nearly 40% of consumers plan to spend less on travel in 2026, while 57% expect to spend the same or slightly more. "Interestingly, according to our new polling, when it comes to spending less, women (43%) are the driving force, not men (35%)," TPG noted. This marks a significant shift from earlier this year when only 9% reported traveling less compared to the previous year.
Consumers are adopting various strategies to reduce trip expenses. Many are opting to drive instead of fly, stay in more affordable accommodations, and select destinations based on price. These changes align with advice from TPG experts who recommend traveling where the dollar is strong and visiting secondary cities or countries that may be less popular among tourists.
