The Great American Luxury Escape: Why Affluent Travelers Are Rediscovering U.S. Destinations

NEW YORK – As economic uncertainty and shifting geopolitics reshape travel sentiment, affluent Americans are increasingly rediscovering the extraordinary experiences available closer to home. New booking data from Global Travel Collection (GTC) shows a renewed interest in domestic luxury travel, with summer hotel bookings across the United States rising more than 20% year-over-year and average daily rates climbing 40% as demand intensifies for high-end U.S. resorts and retreats.

The data, drawn from advisor bookings through the first quarter of 2026 for summer travel between June and September, suggests a growing appetite for secluded landscapes, iconic resorts and experiential destinations across the country.

At moments when the world feels uncertain, sophisticated travelers don’t stop traveling. They pivot. What we’re seeing is a deliberate shift toward extraordinary domestic experiences—from private island resorts to mountain ranch retreats—where travelers can stay closer to home without compromising on luxury or discovery.

Angie Licea, President of Global Travel Collection, one of the world’s most influential luxury host travel agencies

Summer 2026: Domestic Luxury Hotel Bookings Surge

GTC booking data shows strong momentum for domestic luxury travel heading into the summer season:

• Domestic luxury hotel bookings are up more than 20% year-over-year compared with the same booking window in 2025 for June-September travel, with September showing the strongest growth.

• Average daily rates for domestic hotel bookings are up 40% year-over-year, as properties respond to tightening demand with confident pricing.

• Summer air bookings remain relatively flat, with transactions up 2% and sales up 4%, reinforcing a trend toward closer-to-home destinations and travelers delaying some flight purchases amid ongoing global uncertainty.

Where Luxury Travelers Are Going This Summer

The destination data points to a clear appetite for escape—beaches, mountains and working ranches are winning the summer, while major urban centers are losing ground. As the United States prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary in July 2026, historic destinations, particularly in New England, are also drawing increased interest.

GTC’s highest-growth domestic destinations for summer 2026 include:

• Hawaii (Big Island, Maui, Kona) — The Islands dominate, with multiple destination entries underscoring Hawaii’s position as the premier domestic luxury escape.

• Big Sky, Montana — Mountain resort towns are capturing clients seeking seclusion and nature immersion.

• Knoxville / Walland, Tennessee — Home to the acclaimed Blackberry Farm and Blackberry Mountain, this region is drawing food-and-nature-focused luxury travelers.

• Newport, Rhode Island — New England coastal retreats, anchored by properties like Ocean House, are seeing strong booking growth.

• Los Angeles, Boston and Miami Beach round out the top performers.

By contrast, New York City—historically GTC’s most-booked domestic summer destination—has seen bookings fall nearly 50% year-over-year as clients substitute beach and ranch escapes for urban summer travel. Chicago has seen a similar decline.

Most-Booked Luxury Domestic Properties for Summer 2026

The following properties are the top-booked luxury resorts by GTC advisors for summer 2026:

• Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection — Hawaii, Big Island

• Four Seasons Resort Hualalai — Hawaii, Kona

• Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea — Hawaii, Maui

• The St. Regis Aspen Resort — Aspen, Colorado

• Ocean House — Watch Hill, Rhode Island

• Hualalai Villas and Homes — Hawaii, Kona

• Blackberry Farm / Blackberry Mountain — Walland/Knoxville, Tennessee

The Advisor Advantage in a Fluid Environment

The data underscores the increasing value of GTC’s network of luxury travel advisors during periods of geopolitical and economic uncertainty. As clients reassess international itineraries and navigate shifting travel conditions, advisors are serving as indispensable partners—redirecting bookings with speed and expertise, securing preferred rates at top domestic properties and helping clients make confident decisions in a fluid environment.

For travelers seeking access to sought-after resorts and curated domestic experiences, working with a GTC advisor can provide both expertise and preferred access. To learn more, visit globaltravelcollection.com.

About Global Travel Collection

Global Travel Collection (GTC), part of Internova Travel Group, is the most influential collection of international luxury travel advisors. More than 1,500 GTC advisors are industry leaders in providing premium travel services to leisure travelers, corporate executives and the entertainment industry. GTC’s combined global reach and leverage translate into value, recognition and preferential treatment for its world traveler clients.

About Internova Travel Group

Internova Travel Group is one of the largest travel services companies in the world with a collection of leading brands delivering high-touch, personal travel expertise to leisure and corporate clients. Internova manages leisure, business and franchise firms through a portfolio of distinctive divisions. Internova represents more than 100,000 travel advisors in over 6,000 company-owned and affiliated locations predominantly in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, with a presence in more than 80 countries.