2026年美国50岁及以上人群旅游趋势报告

2026 TRAVEL TRENDS:A SURVEY OF U.S. ADULTS AGE 50-PLUS Table of contents ExecutiveSummaryWhat Will Travel Look Like in 2026?2026DomesticTravel Executive summary Leisure travel in 2026 will remain a top priority for adults age 50-plus. –Nearly two-thirds (64%) of adults age 50plus expect to travel in 2026, consistent with intention levels seen in recent years. For a second straight year, the number of actual trips taken (4.2) surpassed what was expected (3.6) in 2025, with the 2026 study showing –More specifically, most older adults (86%) identify travel as one of their top three priorities for their discretionary income. –And their behavior reinforces their intent: More than half of domestic and international trips were already booked or in theplanning phase by the endof 2025, giving many something positive to look forward to. –Air travel has re-emerged as the preferred mode of domestic travel for 2026, even though 45% say the high cost of airline travelgives them pauseand challenges with airlines continues. Though cost has decreased as a possible barrier to travel, it is still the most common threat to 2026 travel plans (39%), andmost specifically forthose with annual incomes of under $100k per year (49%). Hence, travelers are trying to make the most of their dollars. –Most adults age 50-plus (89%), regardless of income, say they shop for bargains sometimes or all the time when planning trips. –They comparison shop across providers, use loyalty perks to stretch their dollars and search for travel deals online and withapps.–In fact, more than half of older travelers said they used one or more of their loyalty discounts or rewards on recent travelexpenses. Executive summary Family Trips are a focus of leisure travel. –As seen year over year, the primary motivation for taking a personal trip is to spend time with family or friends (57%). Therefore, it’s not surprising that taking a family trip (e.g., parents, grandparents, children all going to one destinationtobetogether) is among the top three types of trips to be taken, both domestically and internationally. –Most who intend to take a family trip in 2026 say it is an annual trip, including 4 to 5 family members, on average. –Such trips offer unique benefits with most agreeing they strengthen family bonds (76%) and help create lasting memories Approximately 25% of family trips are true multigenerational trips including a grandparent, parent and child; providing its own –“For me, it is watching my grandchildren discover something for the first time. Seeing their wonder reminds me of whattruly matters and brings our whole family closer.” WHAT WILL TRAVEL LOOK LIKE IN2026? Travel intentions among adults 50-plus have softened from lastyear’s peak, while anticipated trip volume is on the rise. Cost continues to decrease as a barrier to planned travel, thoughconcerns related to airline complications have increased for some. Those with annual incomes under $100k are significantly more likely to identify cost as a barrier than are thoseearning $100k or more; 49% vs. 26%, respectively. Intent in adding international travel to the agendaincreases again for 2026. As a result, those planning domestic-only travel decrease slightly from 2025 to 2026. Percent of travelers by anticipated travel destinationsDomestic only,international only,orbothAmong travelers age 50-plus Travel spend is expected to increase in 2026, primarily drivenby those ages 60–69. Travel provides quality time with family and a respite for some. And with its known physical and emotional benefits,1it is no wonder it remains a top priority for discretionary income. While some older adults will need accommodations when traveling due to adisability or health condition, it does not deter the number of trips or how much This is consistent with 2025 travel findings. Timing of domestic trips remains consistent year over year withspring and summer being most popular. As seen in the past, a significant number of domestic trips will be for family trips, summer vacations, and weekendgetaways. Over half of the 2026 domestic trips are already booked or currentlybeing planned, with a destination already chosen for most. This is familiar behavior for adults age 50-plus, with similar findings seen year over year. Within the U.S, the South and West continue to attract the mostdomestic leisure travel. International travel continues to be most popular in the spring, withbucketlist trips still the main motivation. Those age 60-plus are more likely to take an international bucket list trip than those 50–59, while solo trips are mostattractive to those who are single or divorced/separated. Older adults commit early to international travel, with most 2026plans already solidified before the end of 2025. In fact, those age 60-plus are almost twice as likely to have already booked their international trip by Those 50-plus are also more thantwice as likely to have an internationaltrip b