+7.5%
Intl. Summer Airfares YoY (Going)
+20.7%
US Airfare Costs YoY (BLS, May 2026)
+4.5%
US-Based Cruise Passengers YoY (AAA)
85%
Choose Dest. for Exchange Rate
Travel Intelligence
- Fares have reversed since May when international airfares were being reported as down ~10% YoY; a significant shift. Surging jet fuel costs driven by Middle East tensions have pushed international average median fares up ~7.5% YoY as of June, with overall US airfare costs up 20.7% over the past year per data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
- Transatlantic demand softness has created pockets of value with a ~7-11% YoY drop in US to Europe bookings alongside reduced European to US demand for the World Cup — bookings from Europe to US host cities are down ~14% YoY (Cirium). Airlines have excess inventory on certain routes, so last-minute and flexible travelers may find better deals than the headline averages suggest.
- Eastern Europe remains the best-value region as Prague, Budapest, Sofia, and Krakow continue to see strong demand and competitive fares relative to Western Europe. Sarajevo is reported among the steepest drops in per-ticket cost over the past year.
- Exchange rates drive destination choices with 70% of travelers in the Americas saying currency rates actively influence where they go.
- REAL ID nis required for domestic flights as of May 7, 2025. Non-compliant travelers can pay a $45 TSA ConfirmID fee valid for 10 consecutive days from the selected travel start date.
- ETIAS (EU) is authorized to launch late 2026, but won’t be mandatory until around April 2027 following a 6-month transitional period. WIth ETIAS, US citizens must apply before visiting any of 30 Schengen countries. ETIAS is valid for up to 3 years once approved.
- Department of Transportation (DOT) refund rules finalized in 2024 entitle passengers to cash refunds for significant cancellations and delays, but enforcement is uneven. The current administration has signaled a lighter-touch approach, and budget carriers in particular have faced ongoing compliance issues.
- Thailand visa-free stay has been reduced from 60 to 30 days for travelers from 93 countries including the US. A 30-day extension (total 60 days) remains available at immigration offices for approximately $55. The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) became mandatory in May 2025, replacing the old paper arrival card, and must also be completed online within 72 hours before arrival.
- Hotels underperforming but late uptick emerging as 80% of hotels across 11 US host cities are still reporting bookings below initial forecasts (AHLA). Kansas City, Boston, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Seattle are among the weakest markets. However, as of June 1, 2026 some cities are seeing modest late movement — Houston is reporting a ~9% lift over normal June levels, and NYC hoteliers project RevPAR (revenue per available room) growth of ~16% YoY during June and July, largely driven by rate increases.
- Cruise boom: AAA projects 21.7M Americans will take ocean cruises in 2026 — a 4.5% increase over 2025, marking four consecutive record years. 90% of US-based cruise passengers rate their experience very good or excellent. Top regions: Caribbean, Mediterranean, and Northern Europe.
- Medical tourism: 23% of US travelers have traveled abroad specifically for medical treatments or procedures, while 68% express interest in wellness-focused international travel, including anti-aging therapies, full-body diagnostics, and biomarker testing. For American travelers, medical tourism is now an emerging mainstream category (Mastercard Travel Trendline).
- Bleisure travel (combining business and leisure in a single trip) is becoming increasingly popular as 81% of business travelers have extended a work trip for personal purposes. Top add-ons are wellness activities and time with family at the destination.
- 76% of parents of Gen Alpha say that their Gen Alpha children (born 2010–2024) are significantly impacting travel choices. 85% give their child effective veto power over "boring" destinations.
WHO Active Health Alerts — Elevated Concern
Ebola (Bundibugyo) — Uganda & DRC
PHEIC Declared
The WHO declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on May 17, 2026. The Ebola outbreak has escalated. As of this briefing date, the DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo) has 321 confirmed cases, up from 8 in May 2026, and 116 suspected cases under investigation. Uganda has 15 confirmed cases, up from 2 in May 2026. One US national who treated patients in the DRC has tested positive and is receiving care in Germany. Monitor WHO and State Department advisories when considering international travel.
Andes Hantavirus — Cruise Ship Cluster (MV Hondius)
As of May 13, 2026 the WHO reported 11 total cases (8 confirmed, 1 inconclusive, 2 probable) and 3 deaths among passengers of the MV Hondius, an increase from the 8 cases originally reported. The MV Hondius departed from Argentina and is a Dutch expedition cruise ship operated by Oceanwide Expeditions. Argentina recorded 101 confirmed hantavirus cases in the 2025–2026 season, nearly double the 57 cases in the same period the previous year. The case fatality rate rose from a 15% historical average to 32% and the Argentine Ministry of Health has stated that incidence has exceeded the epidemic threshold for most of the current season. The theory that the virus was transmitted via contact with infected rodents at a landfill is not confirmed.
Zika — Rising Transmission in Indonesia
The WHO has noted increased Zika transmission driven by heavy rainfall, recommending precautions.
CDC/WHO Recommendations for domestic and international travel
⚠ Measles — Active US Outbreak
1,983 confirmed cases across 40 jurisdictions as of May 28, 2026 — already on pace to surpass 2025's 33-year high of 2,288 cases before year-end. 93% of cases are in unvaccinated individuals, with 72% involving children and young adults under 19.
Polio — Domestic Vigilance
No active US outbreak, but declining vaccination rates have raised concern. Vaccine-derived poliovirus detected in New York (2022) and in US wastewater surveillance since. Additional destinations of concern for adult travelers are Pakistan, DRC, Nigeria, and parts of Europe.
Dengue & Mosquito Illness
Ongoing global risk in Colombia, Vietnam, Maldives, Bolivia, Tonga, and more. DEET repellent and cover ups at tropical destinations are noted as recommendations.
Norovirus on Cruise Ships
A recent outbreak on the Caribbean Princess sickened 100+ passengers. Frequent handwashing remains the best defense on board.
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
Elevated risk along the US–Mexico border (Baja California, Sonora, Chihuahua). CDC guidelines are tick protection and prompt care if fever develops after travel.
Routine Vaccinations
Confirm tetanus/diphtheria, whooping cough, hepatitis A/B, and typhoid are current before any international trip, per WHO guidance.
Disclaimer
This page is provided by VoyageMais for general informational and editorial purposes only and is not individualized legal, medical, safety, visa, insurance, or financial advice. Content may include third-party data, curated analysis, personal experience, and opinion, all of which may change over time and may not apply to your specific situation. VoyageMais aims to help travelers research and compare options, but final travel decisions remain the traveler’s responsibility. Travel advisories and fare data are sourced from third parties and are subject to change.
Health: WHO Disease Outbreak News, CDC Measles Tracker (updated June 3, 2026).
Travel: Mastercard Travel Trendline (Harris Poll, 15,000+ respondents), Kayak 2026 WTF Report, Amex Travel Global Trends Report, AAA, AHLA, Going, Points Path, Cirium, NerdWallet/BLS Travel Inflation Report (May 2026), Fortune, Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs (May 19, 2026).