RICHMOND, VA – June 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In a year marked by ongoing economic uncertainty and evolving consumer habits, a travel trend has become popular among U.S. travelers once again: the micro-cation. According to new data from Allianz Partners USA in their annual Vacation Confidence Index*, Americans are increasingly opting for shorter but more intentional getaways – redefining how they plan, spend, and experience their time away from home.

Micro-cations, a leisure trip more than 100 miles from home for 4 or fewer nights, are making a strong comeback in 2025 as travelers seek to balance time, cost, and experience. These shorter getaways offer a practical solution for Americans navigating high travel costs, limited PTO, and a desire for meaningful breaks without the commitment of a week-long vacation. Whether it’s a two-night city escape or a long weekend by the coast, micro-cations are ideal for fitting travel into busy lifestyles. As inflation continues to shape spending behavior and workplace flexibility enables more frequent but shorter trips, micro-cations have emerged as a preferred way to recharge, without overextending budgets or schedules.

“Microcations reflect a new kind of travel mindset, with one that values spontaneity, intentionality, and balance,” said Emily Hartman, General Manager at Allianz Partners USA. “As travelers embrace shorter, high-impact trips, they’re also recognizing the importance of protecting those moments. Whether it’s a quick weekend getaway or a last-minute escape, travel insurance plays a key role in offering peace of mind, so travelers can focus on making the most of their time away.”

The study reveals that 34% of Americans now say their first vacation of the year will last just two nights or less, up four percentage points from last year. The average trip length is expected to dip slightly to 4.2 nights, down from 4.6 nights in 2024. While longer getaways may be less common, travelers are still eager to make the most of their time away – often choosing shorter, more frequent breaks to balance rising prices with their desire for meaningful experiences.

While vacations may be getting shorter, they're certainly not getting cheaper, as one-night trips are the most expensive on a per-night basis, averaging $700 per night, compared to $396 per night for a traditional week-long vacation. The data suggests that Americans are willing to spend more for luxury, convenience, and quality over quantity – even in a time of economic caution.

That said, high-income travelers are helping keep the travel sector buoyant. 15% of Americans earning $100K+ annually plan to take three or more trips this summer, indicating that affluent consumers remain undeterred by inflationary pressures or lingering economic uncertainty. As the cost of living continues to rise and consumer sentiment fluctuates, the travel landscape is increasingly shaped by those who can afford to splurge.

The Vacation Confidence Index has been conducted each summer since 2009 by national polling firm Ipsos Public Affairs on behalf of Allianz Partners USA. A vacation is defined as a leisure trip of at least one week to a place that is 100 miles or more from home.

Allianz Partners offers travel insurance through most major U.S. airlines, leading travel agents, online travel agencies, hotel companies, cruise lines and directly to consumers. For more information on Allianz Partners and available travel policies, please visit http://www.allianztravelinsurance.com/.   

^{* *Methodology: These are the findings of an Ipsos poll conducted on behalf of Allianz Partners. For this survey, a sample of 2,005 Americans aged 18+ was interviewed from April 14 to 15, 2025 via the Ipsos Online Omnibus. The precision of Ipsos online polls is measured using a credibility interval. In this case, the results are accurate to within +/- 2.7 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, of what the results would have been had all American adults been polled. Quota sampling and weighting were employed in order to balance demographics and ensure that the sample’s composition reflects that of the actual U.S. population, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Credibility intervals are wider among subsets of the population.}