Who needs Europe? Missourians prefer this island for summer trips. See how much they spend
Travelers in the United States are bound for Europe this summer, based on travel insurance data for June, July and August trips. But Missourians seem to have a different destination top of mind — and they are spending less to get there.
USA Today’s travel insurance section Blueprint analyzed data from the country’s top 25 most populous states and found that Missouri residents are heading to Jamaica the most this summer.
It likely helps that Kansas City International Airport offers nonstop flights to Montego Bay, Jamaica, through Southwest Airlines for the summer. USA Today reports that flights bookings to Jamaica have gone up 500% since 2023.
The next most popular international destinations for Missourians are the United Kingdom and Mexico.
How much are Missourians spending on travel?
Americans traveling abroad this summer say they plan to spend roughly $800 more than they did in 2023 to travel internationally, according to the report. But Missouri residents are spending way less than that to get where they want to go.
Missourians are spending $7,106 on average in 2024, just $3 more than what travelers spent in 2023. Only two states of those surveyed have decreased their travel spending: Arizona and Connecticut.
USA Today says Missouri is spending the least on travel due to lower flight costs out of KCI. Past analysis by USA Today says that the average airfare at KCI in 2024 is $382. The cost dropped from 2023, when the average airfare was $403.
As for the state spending the most on international travel, it’s Virginia. Virginians prioritize trips to Italy and Greece, and the average international trip cost is $10,001. Virginia is the only state in USA Today’s analysis where international travelers break an average of $10,000 on travel costs.
The data revealed that the top two destinations for Americans traveling are Italy and the United Kingdom.
If you’re looking to travel within the United States, check out The Star’s guide to cheap summer destinations — all under $100.
