Higher Prices Aren’t Scaring Away Summer Travelers

Americans are welcoming summer vacation this year with open arms after a rough winter, but their gateway is going to cost more than in the past.

New data from travel site Orbitz finds 88% of Americans plan to take a summer vacation this year, up 11% year-over-year. Marita Hudson Thomas, Orbitz public relations director, says the numbers reinforce signs of a recovering economy.

“We had a horrible winter—one of the worst in history. People want to get to summer and the heat and warmth- they are running from the terrible winter.”

Summer travel costs are up this year, according to Orbitz, with airfare up 6% and hotel prices up by 12% across the reports’ top destinations.

But travelers say they are willing to spend more this year to vacation, with 51% saying they’d shell out $2,000 or more for their vacation this summer, versus 44% last year.

Travelers on a budget plan to use their travel rewards to pay for hotels and airfare and are willing to buy food and eat in their hotel rooms to save some cash.

More Americans are traveling to cities this year, Orbitz finds, and while hotel prices are up, travelers can find rooms for under $200 in half of the top 10 destinations.  Most travelers plan to hit the road in June and July (71%).

This year, Cancun edged out Orlando as the top destination, which has consistently been in the top spot, Hudson Thomas says.

“It’s still a great family destination with Disneyworld” she says of Orlando. “Cancun is our only international destination this year.

The biggest crowds can be found on the Friday before Memorial Day and the biggest travel day will be Thursday, July 3, the report says.

Here’s a look at the top destinations and prices for this year’s survey: