Airbnb Summer Travel Trends and things to watch as hosts

[Garrett Brown]

Airbnb recently put out their top summer travel trends and 10 cities to watch for summer 2025. While most of the news release was focused on international cities at the top, I thought it was fasicinating about a couple particular trends they are tracking. "Star Chasers" and "Staycations".

First, spontaneous local travel is on the rise:

Over 60 percent of "nearby" searches are from families and groups planning trips within 300 miles of home

Forty-three percent of Americans are choosing to drive rather than fly for their summer travel

Thirty-nine percent say they are traveling domestically instead of internationally to save money

Nearly one in three parents with kids under 18 are actively choosing staycations over longer trips

Last-minute bookings are up, with flexibility and availability playing a major role in guest decision-making

To take advantage of this trend, hosts should consider promoting easy weekend getaways or “within driving distance” escapes, offering flexible cancellation policies, and setting one- or two-night minimums to appeal to last-minute planners. Listings should highlight family-friendly amenities such as board games, bunk beds, fire pits, and open outdoor areas that cater to groups and parents traveling with children. Using language like “perfect for a spontaneous escape” or “local getaway without the long drive” in your title and description can help attract nearby guests. Additionally, updating your photos and captions to emphasize comfort, convenience, and accessibility will better align your property with what today’s staycationers are searching for.

The second trend Airbnb is tracking is “Star Chasers”:

Travelers are planning trips specifically around concerts, sports events, festivals, and other entertainment

Properties near stadiums, amphitheaters, arenas, racetracks, or event grounds are seeing increased demand

Guests are looking for accommodations that are walkable or a short drive from major venues

Hosts in these areas should optimize their listings by including proximity references in the title and description, such as “5 mins to concert venue,” to immediately appeal to event-driven travelers. Mentioning specific local events or festivals in your calendar or listing description can help capture search traffic around those dates. Enhance the guest experience by including venue schedules, nearby restaurant recommendations, and ride-share tips in your guidebook. Strategically adjust pricing and minimum stays around big event weekends to reflect higher demand, and consider offering later check-outs or early check-ins for guests attending concerts or games.

Airbnb also released its top trending U.S. destinations for summer 2025. These include:

Shandaken, New York

Long Beach, California

Grand Canyon Village, Arizona

San Francisco, California

Page, Arizona

Bristol, Tennessee

Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Clemson, South Carolina

Irvine, California

Miami Gardens, Florida

If your listing is in or near one of these locations, now is the time to update your listing to reflect current demand. Mention proximity, emphasize flexibility, and highlight anything that would appeal to either staycationers or Star Chasers.

Just some insight from Airbnb so you can help make your short-term rental a long-term success! Happy hosting everyone.

[John Underwood]

Interesting article. Crazy that Clemson, SC is on the top 10!

Our lake house close to Clemson is doing very well. There were 5000 students recently graduate from Clemson.

No wonder we are already booked for graduation 2026 and I'm raising prices for 2027.