As 2026 approaches, Americans are approaching international travel with greater caution. New findings from YouGov’s US International Traveler Outlook 2026 suggest a global travel market increasingly shaped by affordability, shifting value perceptions, and income-based tradeoffs rather than simple desire to explore.

For many Americans, international travel remains out of reach. Around three in five (60%) say they never travel abroad for leisure. Among higher-income Americans, international travel is far more common, highlighting the role income plays in determining who can travel overseas.

Fewer international trips amid economic pressure

Even among Americans who do travel internationally, momentum has softened. More than two in five (43%) international travelers say they traveled abroad less over the past year, with the pullback most pronounced among Gen Xers and Baby Boomers, around half (50%) of whom report traveling less. Economic uncertainty, cited by around three in ten (28%), and rising travel costs, cited by around one in five (18%), are key contributors, alongside personal factors, reflecting a broader environment in which discretionary travel is under closer scrutiny.

Cost pressures reshape travel decisions

Cost pressures are reshaping how Americans plan and experience international trips. Travelers most often report rising prices for transport, dining, and accommodations, prompting many to rethink how frequently they travel and how they manage their budgets. Looking ahead to 2026, a substantial share of international travelers say further price increases would lead them to take fewer overseas trips or pivot toward domestic destinations. Higher-income travelers are more likely to say they will maintain their current pace of international travel.

Booking behavior reflects a value-first mindset

These financial pressures are also influencing booking behavior. Many travelers are adjusting by traveling off-peak or booking further in advance to secure better prices. Lodging choices and booking strategies vary sharply by income, with higher-income travelers more likely to book flights and accommodations separately, while lower-income travelers are more inclined to rely on package vacations. Hotels remain the most common option for longer international stays, though alternatives such as short-term rentals or staying with friends and family continue to play a meaningful role.

Value perceptions weaken across major destinations

At the same time, perceptions of value for money are deteriorating across many major destinations. European countries including the UK, France, Italy, and Germany are increasingly viewed by US travelers as offering worse value than a year ago. The value challenge is not limited to outbound travel. International travelers from every tracked market are more likely to say the US now represents worse value for money, particularly travelers from Canada and Great Britain.

“Americans’ appetite for international travel hasn’t disappeared; it has simply become more selective,” said Kenton Barello, Vice President at YouGov America. “Travelers are scrutinizing value more closely, stretching budgets further, and adjusting plans based on cost, whether that means going off-peak, choosing alternative accommodations, or substituting domestic trips. Brands that clearly communicate value without compromising experience will be best positioned in 2026.”

Overall, the findings point to a travel landscape where affordability is shaping decisions at every stage, from destination choice to booking behavior.

Findings are drawn from YouGov’s US International Traveler Outlook 2026, based on a survey of 1,506 US adults conducted between October 20 and November 11, 2025, alongside destination perception data from YouGov DestinationIndex.

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