Will America250 Stimulate Tourism in 2026?

According to a recent survey by Longwoods International, America’s upcoming birthday party will stimulate travel in 2026. “There is strong early demand for Americans to participate and travel next year as we celebrate America’s 250^th birthday,” said Amir Eylon, President and CEO of Longwoods International. “And we expect interest in America 250 events to only grow from here, as more details about the various celebrations taking place across the country become known.”

Here are the three key takeaways.

1. Nearly Half of American Travelers are Aware of America250:
48% of American Travelers say they are aware that next year is the country’s 250^th celebration of its founding in 1776. Of those aware of America250, 61% report they are likely to take an overnight trip tied to the anniversary activities, while 65% expect to take a day trip for this purpose. This is great news for those destinations and tourism businesses who can leverage/create signature, state, regional, or even local events tied to it.

2. There is Strong Interest in Seeking Out and Traveling to America250 Experiences:
Of those American Travelers aware of America 250, half (50%) plan to celebrate the 250^th anniversary of the United States by visiting historical sites and landmarks. Other top activities include visiting museums and cultural attractions (46%) and attending America250 events (42%). Only about one in five (18%) say they currently have no plans to celebrate America250.

3. Demand for Travel in 2026 Continues at High Levels Despite a Softening in Overall Travel Spending:
93% of American Travelers still indicate travel plans to go somewhere within the next six months. Regional drive markets continue to have a prime opportunity as more travelers seek value for their money.

Research note: This survey, supported by Miles Partnership, was fielded November 4, 2025, using a national sample randomly drawn from a consumer panel of 1,000 adults, ages 18 and over. Quotas were used to match Census targets for age, gender, and region to make the survey representative of the U.S. population.