Key Takeaways
- This summer, travelers are swapping culinary capitals for more local, affordable foodie destinations like Rotterdam over Paris, and Alassio over Positano.
- Fandom travel has fueled the rise of “star chasers,” or guests willing to travel great distances to see their favorite artists and athletes perform.
- Americans are embracing spontaneous staycations.
Guests from the US, Brazil, Spain, and Greece are seeking domestic escapes this summer, while those in the Netherlands and Belgium are seeking adventures abroad1. From off the beaten path culinary enclaves, to star-chasing events and last-minute staycations, these are the trends shaping summer travel.
Flavorful destinations heat up summer travel
Globally, 1 in 5 guests said they chose Airbnb over other types of accommodation because they wanted a local travel experience2. This summer, travelers are avoiding the summer crowds and swapping culinary capitals for more local, affordable foodie destinations. A recent consumer poll conducted by Panterra reveals that nearly half (47%) of travelers prioritize authentic local cuisine as their top food and beverage experience.3
Fandom travel surges as fans chase stars and stadiums
Fandom travel has fueled the rise of “star chasers,” or travelers who pursue their favorite artists and athletes by attending concerts and sporting events, often traveling great distances to be immersed in the action. According to Panterra’s consumer survey5:
- About a quarter of participants anticipate traveling more for big events in the next year than they have previously, especially those in Brazil (45%), Mexico (38%), and the US (32%).
- Concerts ranked second, following family reunions, as events that motivate people to travel, with 23% of participants saying they would travel for them.
- Concerts are especially appealing to younger women compared to their male peers; 33% of Gen Z women are interested in traveling to concerts vs. 24% of their Gen Z male peers.
From global arena tours to international soccer tournaments, here are some big event destinations that are experiencing a surge in demand this summer:
- Houston, TX, United States searches have surged +620% during Beyonce’s Cowboy Carter Tour dates in June6.
- Manchester, United Kingdom searches have surged +500% during the Oasis concert dates in July7.
- Perth, Australia searches have surged +250% during the State of Origin Rugby game in June8.
- Charlotte, NC, United States searches have surged +200% during Sharkira’s concert dates in May9.
- Santiago, Chile searches have surged 85% during Kylie Minogue’s concert dates in August10.
With thousands of guests seeking to attend these summer events,11 they’re likely to generate positive economic impact for local hosts, communities and businesses such as restaurants and shops. According to a 2024 global survey of Airbnb guests, visitors spent an average of $165 USD per guest per day on local restaurants, groceries, and attractions. What’s more, hosts help ensure more neighborhoods benefit from this influx of guest spending. Guests reported that about 40% of their total spending occurred in the neighborhood of their Airbnb listing in 202412.
Spontaneous staycations on the rise with US travelers
This summer, US guests are prioritizing staycations, with more searches for trips within 300 miles of guests’ homes13. Groups and families represent the largest segment of staycations in the US, accounting for over 60% of nearby searches14. Panterra’s consumer survey also reveals:
- 43% of Americans plan to drive rather than fly for their upcoming trips15.
- 39% of Americans indicate they are already traveling or are very likely to travel domestically instead of internationally to save money16.
- 29% of Americans with children aged 18 or younger living at home report that they are already choosing staycations over travel to other destinations, or are very likely to do so17.
1 Based on Airbnb internal data of guest searches by domestic and international travel made in Q1 – Q4 2024 for summer 2025
2 Based on results from Airbnb’s Compact Survey with survey dates from October 2023-March 2025 for Airbnb guests who took a trip during that time period
3 Based on external data results from an online survey conducted by Panterra Research of adults in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Germany, France, Brazil, Italy, Japan, and South Korea. The survey was fielded from April 6 to April 22, 2025. The margin of error for these sample sizes is ±2.5, ±3.1, and ±3.3 percentage points (for n=1,500, n=1,000, and n=900, respectively) at the 95% confidence level, and is larger for smaller subgroups or lower sample sizes
4 Based on Airbnb internal data of of trending searches travelers made in Q1 – Q4 2024 for Summer 2025 compared with searches made in Q1-Q4 2023 for Summer 2024
5 Based on external data results from an online survey conducted by Panterra Research of adults in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Germany, France, Brazil, Italy, Japan, and South Korea. The survey was fielded from April 6 to April 22, 2025. The margin of error for these sample sizes is ±2.5, ±3.1, and ±3.3 percentage points (for n=1,500, n=1,000, and n=900, respectively) at the 95% confidence level, and is larger for smaller subgroups or lower sample sizes.
6 % increase in searches in Houston, TX for 6/27-6/29, 2025 compared to 6/28-6/30, 2024 (based on searches from 2/3-2/10, 2025 and 2/5-2/13, 2024 respectively)
7 % increase in searches in Manchester, United Kingdom for 7/10-7/12,7/15-7/16,7/18-7/20, 2025 compared to 7/11-7/13,7/16-7/17,7/19-7/21, 2024 (based on searches from Q1 – Q4 2024 and Q1-Q4 2023 respectively)
8 % increase in searches in Perth, Australia for 6/16-6/19, 2025 compared to 6/17-6/20, 2024 (based on searches from Q1 – Q4 2024 and Q1-Q4 2023 respectively)
9 % increase in searches in Charlotte, NC for 5/12-5/13, 2025 compared to 5/13-5/14, 2024 (based on searches from Q1-Q4 2024 and Q1-Q4 2023 respectively)
10 % increase in searches in Santiago, Chile for 8/11 – 8/12 2025 compared to 8/12 – 8/13, 2024 (based on searches from Q1 – Q4 2024 and Q1-Q4 2023 respectively)
11 Based on Airbnb internal data of summer search interest from Q1 – Q4 2024
12 According to a survey of Airbnb guests from January 1-December 31, 2024
13 Based on Airbnb internal data of searches made for Summer 2025 trips within 300 miles of guest origin in Q4 2024
14 Based on Airbnb internal data of searches by group size made for Summer 2025 trips within 300 miles of guest origin in Q4 2024
15 Based on external data results from an online survey conducted by Panterra Research of adults in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Germany, France, Brazil, Italy, Japan, and South Korea. The survey was fielded from April 6 to April 22, 2025. The margin of error for these sample sizes is ±2.5, ±3.1, and ±3.3 percentage points (for n=1,500, n=1,000, and n=900, respectively) at the 95% confidence level, and is larger for smaller subgroups or lower sample sizes.
16 Based on external data results from an online survey conducted by Panterra Research of adults in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Germany, France, Brazil, Italy, Japan, and South Korea. The survey was fielded from April 6 to April 22, 2025. The margin of error for these sample sizes is ±2.5, ±3.1, and ±3.3 percentage points (for n=1,500, n=1,000, and n=900, respectively) at the 95% confidence level, and is larger for smaller subgroups or lower sample sizes.
17 Based on external data results from an online survey conducted by Panterra Research of adults in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Germany, France, Brazil, Italy, Japan, and South Korea. The survey was fielded from April 6 to April 22, 2025. The margin of error for these sample 19sizes is ±2.5, ±3.1, and ±3.3 percentage points (for n=1,500, n=1,000, and n=900, respectively) at the 95% confidence level, and is larger for smaller subgroups or lower sample sizes.
About Airbnb
Airbnb was born in 2007 when two hosts welcomed three guests to their San Francisco home, and has since grown to over 5 million hosts who have welcomed over 2 billion guest arrivals in almost every country across the globe. Every day, hosts offer unique stays and experiences that make it possible for guests to connect with communities in a more authentic way.
About Airbnb.org
Airbnb.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to facilitating temporary stays for people in times of crisis around the world. Airbnb.org operates independently and leverages Airbnb, Inc.’s technology, services, and other resources at no charge to carry out Airbnb.org’s charitable purpose. The inspiration for Airbnb.org began in 2012 with a single host named Shell who opened up her home to people impacted by Hurricane Sandy. This sparked a movement and marked the beginning of a program that allows hosts on Airbnb to provide stays for people in times of need. Since then, the program has evolved to focus on emergency response and to help provide stays to evacuees, relief workers, refugees, asylum seekers, and frontline workers fighting the spread of COVID-19. Since then, hosts have offered to open up their homes and helped provide accommodations to 100,000 people in times of need. Airbnb.org is a separate and independent entity from Airbnb, Inc. Airbnb, Inc. does not charge service fees for Airbnb.org supported stays on its platform.
