Small businesses in U.S. tourist spots report a rise in domestic tourism. More Americans opt for road trips, short excursions, and home-cooked meals during vacations. This shift is due to higher airfares and gasoline prices making long-distance travel costly. Events like the FIFA World Cup and the U.S. 250th birthday celebrations encourage locals to create memories closer to home.
AAA estimated that 72.2 million Americans would travel at least 50 miles from home between late June and the first Sunday of July, a slight increase from the previous year. This bump is mainly attributed to more people taking cruises, buses, and trains rather than driving or flying. Tarik Dogru, associate professor at Florida State University, notes this trend benefits businesses reliant on tourists as more of vacationers’ budgets stay local.
The National Travel and Tourism Office highlights a consistent travel and tourism trade deficit since the COVID-19 pandemic. Americans spend more on foreign travel than international visitors spend in the U.S. However, the current trend could address this deficit. Some families, like Morgan Kain’s from Baltimore, scale back travel due to rising costs. Last year, they traveled extensively in Italy but now stick to more modest local vacations.
Despite increased gasoline prices, driving remains more economical than flying. AAA reports that 85% of Independence Day travelers drove to their destinations. Around Lake Tahoe, more visitors drove in from the West Coast. Ron Williams of Tahoe Sports mentions an unexpected boost in business with future bookings up by 10%.
In Asheville, North Carolina, small businesses hope for tourism recovery following Hurricane Helene’s damage in 2024. Aubrey Anderson of Zen Tubing increased staff in response to rising reservations. Her business sees day-trippers from nearby states boosting the local economy. Similarly, French Broad Chocolate experiences increased tour attendance, with visitors enjoying their café and buying chocolates.
Kansas City, Missouri, benefits from World Cup-related tourism. Stores like Made in KC observe increased traffic and sales of World Cup merchandise. Keith Bradley, the co-owner, points out that domestic tourists, mainly from nearby Midwestern cities, are more prevalent than those from afar. Mollie Lothman of McLain’s Bakery cites Kansas City’s affordability as a draw for World Cup attendees seeking budget-friendly experiences.
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