According to statistics from the travel industry, the number of Americans traveling by car and plane during the Independence Day holiday in the United States is expected to set a record.
Overall, international travel is more cost-effective this year. Compared to a year ago, the average airfare for international travel has significantly decreased, with airlines offering discounts and price reductions.
Data from the travel booking app Hopper shows that domestic airfare prices during the holiday travel period are about 3% lower than a year ago, while tickets to Europe and Asia are 13% cheaper.
Approximately 10 travel agencies have told Reuters that due to ongoing discounts, some of their clients will be heading to Europe this summer, while those staying in the U.S. are opting for destinations they can reach by car.
Travel agency broker Laurel Brunvoll mentioned that with airfare prices not skyrocketing as they did in the past two years, more and more travelers are booking last-minute flights to Europe.
She recalled, “In 2023, I had a few clients who were eager to go to Portugal and spent nearly $3000 on an economy class ticket,” whereas this year, the prices are more “normal,” ranging from $875 to $1500 per person for economy class.
AAA predicts that about 72.2 million people will travel over 50 miles during the eight-day Independence Day holiday period. This is expected to be a new record. Compared to last year, over 1.3 million more Americans are estimated to travel by car, with over 80,000 flying to their destinations.
United Airlines expects an increase of 500,000 passengers within a 10-day period including the Independence Day holiday, with international bookings growing by 5% year-on-year. American Airlines also anticipates a 5% increase in the number of passengers within the 10-day period.
In terms of accommodation, according to Hopper, the average price for domestic hotels over the Independence Day weekend is $213 per night, an 8% decrease from $232 per night in 2024. Data from Vrbo, the vacation rental department of the online travel agency Expedia Group, shows that more people are booking accommodations last-minute this year. The company stated that there has been a 15% increase in booking vacation rentals a month before travel this summer.
Travel agent Christy Slavik mentioned that many families have experienced price hikes when checking last-minute prices for cruises, all-inclusive resorts, and airline tickets. Travel agency broker Melissa Newman stated that travel costs have prompted some travelers to change their strategies rather than cancel plans. With the increasing demand for cruise travel, driving to the port instead of flying can help some consumers reduce costs.
(Reference: Reuters)