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Small businesses say they’re having a good summer as Americans travel closer to home

Motor club federation AAA estimates 72.2 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home between June 27 and this Sunday, up 0.5% from last year's July Fourth period.
Financial caution is leading families to skip long-distance vacations this summer. Aubrey Anderson, owner of Zen Tubing in Asheville, noted, "People are maybe skipping the long drive to the beach this year, and they're kind of doing just something close by."
In Asheville, North Carolina, tourism is rebounding after Hurricane Helene's destruction in September 2024. Day-trippers from neighboring states visit the French Broad River, spending around $30 per person on tubing before patronizing local restaurants and shops.
The FIFA World Cup and the nation's 250th birthday celebrations are driving traffic to Kansas City, Missouri. Co-owner Keith Bradley of Made in KC reported "really noticeable spikes of traffic" at his 11 shops during the tournament.
Tarik Dogru, an associate professor at Florida State University's Dedman College of Hospitality, suggests reduced long-distance travel redirects vacation budgets toward small businesses, potentially narrowing the United States' travel and tourism trade deficit.

Insights by Ground AI