Arival today released its 2026 US Experiences Traveler Outlook, revealing a decisive shift in how Americans travel, plan and spend.  Although most US travelers expect to take the same or fewer trips in 2026, they are spending more on experiences, booking earlier, and allowing tours, activities and attractions to shape where they choose to go.

The report, based on a survey of 800 US experiences travelers, shows that three in five travelers now consider experiences a very or extremely important factor in destination choice.  Among 18–34‑year‑olds, experiences are the single most important factor, with 76 percent saying they matter more than weather, food or overall destination appeal. This marks a significant generational shift in how travel decisions are made.