North American travelers don't slow down, they spend differently
The MMGY 2026 survey, based on 2,518 North American travelers, drops a number worth reading slowly. U.S. international travel spend falls to $11,808, while Canadian spend climbs to $8,800. The appetite to travel abroad is still there. What shifts is how and where the money moves.
The top brake is no longer price. It is safety, now ranking ahead of cost among the barriers respondents name. That opens room for thinking. A destination perceived as safe can hold higher rates. One dragging messy headlines will need extra commercial effort for the same volume. Revenue and distribution teams have plenty to segment on by origin: the U.S. traveler trimming the ticket is not the same profile as the Canadian one gaining purchasing power.
My read is simple. The appetite is not fading, it is getting pickier about perceived risk. Whoever communicates transparently about safety, logistics and local experience will hold an edge. You can read the full report on Hospitality Net.
Quick questions
How much does a U.S. traveler spend on international trips per year?
What is the biggest barrier for North American travelers in 2026?
How many people took part in the MMGY 2026 study?
What does this mean for hotels and airlines?
Was this article useful?
The daily brief
Notitur in your inbox
One sharp travel-industry brief a day. Free.
Editorial content by Notitur. It may contain errors. Verify anything important with the original source.
This article may mention third-party products, companies or services for informational purposes. Notitur does not endorse them and is not responsible for them or for what they offer. Editorial content curated by the Notitur team.