Americans want to travel this year, but gas and groceries have climbed faster than paychecks have. That squeeze is where the frustration lives. Planning a vacation still feels harder than it should, even in an economy people keep calling strong on paper. There’s a name for that gap now, and it’s changing how people travel in 2026.
People are calling it a “boomcession,” a mashup of boom and recession. Stock portfolios are up. Corporate earnings are healthy. But ask anyone shopping for a summer trip and the mismatch shows up fast, in flight prices, in hotel rates, in the sense that the good numbers belong to someone else’s budget.
That divide shows up clearly in new data on summer travel plans. Only 45% of Americans are booking paid lodging this summer, the lowest share in six years, and half say they’re skipping travel altogether. But the ones still buying tickets aren’t holding back. They plan to spend 17% more on their biggest trip, pushing average budgets past $4,000.
Cruising is the safe bet
Ultra-luxury cruise lines are cashing in on that instinct. Seabourn‘s all-suite ships carry fewer than 600 guests, and fares fold in dining, drinks and gratuities upfront. Travelers know the final bill before they board, and that certainty is worth paying for right now.
All-inclusive resorts have the same answer
Resorts are chasing that same instinct. Armony Marival Resort & Spa in Punta de Mita wraps meals, spa access and daily activities into one rate. Having stayed there myself, the appeal isn’t just the math. It’s not adding up a bar tab on top of the room rate.
Wellness spending won’t budge
Health and wellness is one of the only categories where spending is still climbing. Hilton Head Health builds fitness, nutrition and coaching into one program instead of an add-on menu. SHA Mexico goes further with medically guided longevity programs. Neither is cheap, and both stay busy.
Trips are landing later in the year
More trips are shifting to after Labor Day, a trend that’s climbed for years as travelers chase lower prices without cutting the trip itself.
Travel isn’t shrinking. People are just getting pickier, trading a few trips for one really good one, and making sure every dollar earns its keep before they ever pack a bag.
Jennifer Allen is a retired chef turned traveler, cookbook author and nationally syndicated journalist; she’s also a co-founder of Food Drink Life, where she shares expert travel tips, cruise insights and luxury destination guides. A recognized cruise expert with a deep passion for high-end experiences and off-the-beaten-path destinations, Jennifer explores the world with curiosity, depth and a storyteller’s perspective. Her articles are regularly featured on the Associated Press Wire, The Washington Post, Seattle Times, MSN and more.