The Summer of Revenge Travel: Hazy Memories of a Morning Briefing

The *revenge travel* phenomenon is fading, giving way to an uncertain summer season characterized by consumer caution. Major players in the airline industry are adjusting their forecasts, announcing an unprecedented disruption in the *international leisure* market. The sharp decline in hotel bookings signals an unprecedented transition in the tourism landscape. The sudden erosion of foreign demand, particularly from Canada, Europe, and China, is redefining the balance of the peak season. Trade tensions and economic distrust permeate every travel decision, radically transforming the summer experience. Seasonal businesses must reassess their strategies in the face of new challenges.

Spotlight
Summer 2025 is shaping up to be difficult for the travel and leisure sector, in contrast to the excitement of the “revenge travel” post-pandemic seen in 2022. Major airlines like American Airlines, Southwest, and Delta are retracting their projections due to uncertainty about demand. The Federal Reserve signals a marked caution among consumers, impacting hospitality and dining. In the northeast, Cape Cod is experiencing a decline in hotel bookings and a slowdown in restaurant attendance. International travelers (notably from Canada, Europe, and China) are becoming scarcer due to U.S. pricing policies. In Florida, shorter hotel stays and declining attendance are evident for attractions and airports. The West Coast is witnessing a dip in summer bookings early in the year, an unusual phenomenon for the season. The decline in consumer confidence and current economic policies weigh heavily on the sector.

Spotlight

Summer 2025 is shaping up to be difficult for the travel and leisure sector, in contrast to the excitement of the “revenge travel” post-pandemic seen in 2022.
Major airlines like American Airlines, Southwest, and Delta are retracting their projections due to uncertainty about demand.
The Federal Reserve signals a marked caution among consumers, impacting hospitality and dining.
In the northeast, Cape Cod is experiencing a decline in hotel bookings and a slowdown in restaurant attendance.
International travelers (notably from Canada, Europe, and China) are becoming scarcer due to U.S. pricing policies.
In Florida, shorter hotel stays and declining attendance are evident for attractions and airports.
The West Coast is witnessing a dip in summer bookings early in the year, an unusual phenomenon for the season.
The decline in consumer confidence and current economic policies weigh heavily on the sector.

Weakening Summer Tourism: The End of the Post-Pandemic Euphoria #

The “revenge travel” phenomenon that marked the summer of 2022 is radically losing steam as the summer season of 2025 approaches. U.S. airlines, starting with American Airlines and Southwest Airlines, have recently withdrawn their forecasts for the upcoming year. They point to a growing uncertainty that is already weighing on demand, confirming a notable shift in consumption trends.

Declining Bookings and Attendance: Concerning Regional Signals #

Decline in Tourist Flows on the East Coast and in Canada

In Massachusetts, restaurateurs on Cape Cod are noticing a slowdown in bookings as early as the first quarter. Hotels are recording booking levels lower than in recent years. Exchanges with professionals reveal a significant concern regarding the drop in traffic from Canada and other major nations, particularly Europe and China. This is partly explained by negative reactions to U.S. pricing policies, a trend analyzed in this study on travel alerts Canada-Europe.

New York Hotels and Dwindling International Traffic

A hotel owner in New York confirms a noticeable decrease in international bookings. The flow of visitors from Canada is also significantly declining in New York State. This drop in cross-border tourism profoundly alters the regional dynamics of tourism businesses.

General Downward Movement in the South and West of the United States #

Florida: Marked Decline in Length of Stays and Business Travel

Florida hotels are not only showing fewer bookings, but also significantly shorter stays. The business travel sector is experiencing an equivalent contraction, exacerbating the structural difficulties of the industry. Ticket sales for shows and attractions are seeing a drop in attendance, especially among foreign customers, a phenomenon highlighted in the latest report from the Fed of Atlanta.

San Francisco and the West: Atypical Slowdown in Peak Season

West Coast operators lament a sluggish demand for flights, accommodations, and shows. This slowdown occurs counter to a spring that is traditionally favorable for growth. Booking volumes for the summer peak season remain concerning, now drawing the attention of analysts.

Disruptive Economic and Political Factors #

New sales methods are emerging, such as on TikTok Shop, but their impact remains limited in light of the significant drop in global demand.

*The pricing measures taken by U.S. authorities create a climate of uncertainty*, cooling many source markets, particularly European and Asian. Even long-haul destinations, such as Namibia, and the dynamism of digital agencies partnered with the Middle East (see the example of Expedia), are unable to compensate for the global slowdown. The already palpable decline in consumer confidence threatens to amplify the downturn of the industry.

Uncertain Tourism Landscapes for a Volatile Summer Season #

The leisure and hospitality sector is preparing for a summer notable for its unpredictability. Tourist service providers are reassessing their strategies and intensifying the experimentation with new channels such as direct sales on social platforms, akin to TikTok Shop. Despite these adjustments, the decline in household morale is likely to anchor caution and seal the end of post-pandemic catch-up tourism. *Caution now dominates travel purchase motivations as summer approaches.*