Skift hold
Perhaps it's no surprise that beach destinations are a popular choice for spending the summer, but rustic stays are also great.
Elizabeth Casolo
Short-term rentals are booming around Memorial Day this year.
Airbnb saw a 10% increase in searches over last year for weekend trips, with warmer beach destinations dominating. She also reported great interest in rural experiences, as did short-term rental platform HomeToGo.
Big cities weren't always at the forefront of customers' minds. Among Airbnb categories, four of the top 10 were pools and water.
Destin, Florida has emerged as one of the most searched destinations on websites for the weekend, securing the top spot on HomeToGo's list. Panama City Beach and Myrtle Beach also made the cut for both lists.
Top 10 American destinations by search
| Airbnb (uncategorized) | HomeToGo (classified) |
|---|---|
| Chicago, IL | Destin, Florida |
| Destin, Florida | Gulf Shores, Alabama |
| San Diego, California | Panama City Beach, Florida |
| Panama City Beach, Florida | Hilton Head Island, South Carolina |
| Charleston, South Carolina | Myrtle Beach, South Carolina |
| Myrtle Beach, South Carolina | Orange Beach, Alabama |
| Las Vegas, Nevada | Galveston, TX |
| Los Angeles, CA | Anna Maria Island, Florida |
| Pensacola Beach, Florida | Outer Banks, North Carolina |
| Boston, Massachusetts | Gatlinburg, Tennessee |
In the woods
Rental platforms have observed how other outdoor getaways have gained traction. “Iconic cities” was a popular category for Airbnb, but travel categories focused on lakes, cabins, national parks and countryside were also in high demand.
“It’s clear that rural destinations are favored for getaways this holiday,” a statement from HomeToGo said. Although Airbnb had several cities in its top 10, the states most searched by HomeToGo were Texas, Colorado, Virginia, and Wisconsin, to name a few.
The company observed that urban destinations accounted for only 17% of overall search volume for Memorial Day. This is a slight increase from last year, but cityscapes remain less popular options.
Late booking and closer travel
There is high demand for the bank holiday weekend approaching. Between March and April, HomeToGo reported a 54% increase in searches for stays with check-in dates over the weekend.
For those who booked on HomeToGo earlier this month instead of April, the median price per night per person increased by $17. Booking early allowed travelers to save some money for the weekend.
The average travel distance has decreased for HomeToGo customers. Road trips are also experiencing an increase this year.
“U.S. travelers will stay closer to home for the Memorial Day holiday this year, with the average distance traveled for a vacation recorded at 999 miles in 2024, up from 1,565 miles in 2023,” the release said.
