(TAN) Fourth of July guests can now make the most of Airbnb’s safe staycation options.
Fourth of July travellers are hitting the road to experience new destinations just beyond their own backyards. Airbnb encourages everyone to follow the guidance of local officials and travel responsibly. Airbnb homes, with their private pools and located beyond densely populated tourist and hotel districts, are favourites with guests.
With guests observing local guidelines and practicing social distancing, many are looking for listings in places with things to do outside, like nearby trails and other outdoor activities.
As travellers look to responsibly discover places that are close to home this holiday weekend, here are the top emerging trends across US according to Airbnb data:
World-class Amenities
Nationwide, hosts are preparing to welcome guests with top-class amenities and features, which travellers care most about when booking a home right now. Pools and “pets allowed” are among the most searched amenities for trips taking place over the Fourth of July weekend. In addition, guests will have access to WiFi, kitchens and air conditioning to stay cool and connected during the holiday—and have a safe, private space to sit down with family or friends for a home-cooked meal.
5 Top Travel Trends
Travelers—especially families—are exploring unique accommodations that come with lavish poolside retreats, cosy cabins and dreamy villas, where they can enjoy fresh mountain air or soak in some sunshine on the beach.
Emerging Trends:
Backyard Trips: Since the beginning of April 2020, over 60% of all domestic US bookings have been for trips within 300 miles from the origin.
Heading to the Hills: Over 20% of bookings over the Fourth of July weekend are in listings in rural areas, like the Adirondacks.
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Family Time: From June 1-20, 2020, US domestic family bookings, which include at least one child, grew by 43%, compared to the same time last year.
Unique Bookings: Cabins are among the most-searched listing types for trips during the Fourth of July weekend. From June 1-20 this year, unique listings and boutique hotels in the US have seen year-over-year growth in nights booked for domestic travel. Specifically: chalets (64%), cabins (63%), islands (48%), barns (42%), cottages (37%), and boutique hotels (53%).
Gen Z Trends: Gen Z travellers have shown the strongest interest in unique stays, aligning with the unique bookings data on Airbnb. According to a recent US survey about their first trip this summer, guests claim they are more likely to “go on an adventure” (20%), the highest score across all generations.
Trending Destinations
Over the past month, when compared to the previous months this year, Airbnb has seen more travellers explore the site. There has also been an increase in number of searches for less urban and more rural destinations, that include Adirondacks, Catskills and Hudson Valley in New York, The Berkshires in Massachusetts, Coastal New Hampshire, Northern Minnesota, South Shore Lake Michigan, North Carolina’s Outer Banks and Blue Ridge Mountains.
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Safety First
With safety being the number-one concern, Airbnb encourages people to follow local public health guidance and local government advisories. Before making plans this holiday weekend, Airbnb wants hosts, travellers and policymakers of its new industry-leading Enhanced Cleaning Protocol to support safe and responsible travel.
Nearly three out of four guests recently surveyed by Airbnb said they would be more comfortable staying with their families in a listing than in a hotel with other people—as listings provide amenities like private kitchens and laundry facilities, along with offering guests more control over their environment and travel experience.
