While international tourism to the U.S. softened significantly in 2025, down nearly 11% compared to the prior year, something interesting happened in Atlanta: locals started spending their travel budgets closer to home.
According to Deloitte's 2025 Summer Travel Survey, 53% of Americans planned to stay in paid lodging during the summer, up from 48% in 2024, even as household budgets tightened. A weakening dollar made international trips less attractive, and the staycation quietly went from pandemic-era workaround to legitimate lifestyle choice.
Atlanta's hotel supply has nearly doubled since the 1996 Olympics, from roughly 60,000 rooms to over 110,000 today. The pipeline hasn't slowed: the city saw 20 new hotel openings in 2024 and expected 24 more in 2025. Much of that construction is event-driven, with Atlanta hosting eight FIFA World Cup matches in 2026 and the Super Bowl in 2028.
The trend suggests Atlanta's restaurant scene, walkable neighborhoods, and year-round event calendar are keeping locals engaged and visitors coming, even as global travel patterns shift.
