Top line
Quincy, Washington, a rural town in central Washington state, was likely the most sought-after U.S. summer travel destination for those booking on Airbnb, with its many natural attractions and nearby concert venue contributing to its deep appeal for summer tourists.
A picture of the Columbia River.
Key facts
The three most-searched U.S. travel destinations in the summer were Quincy, Washington, just east of the Columbia River, Columbia, South Carolina, and Las Vegas, according to Airbnb data.
This summer, “families are turning to Airbnb to hike, swim and enjoy incredible views,” according to the company, which said three of the most searched categories were beaches, incredible pools and lakes.
More than half of the top 10 summer travel destinations, such as Quincy and Rosemary Beach, Florida, are located near large bodies of water.
Several of the top destinations were host cities for major sporting events, including Las Vegas and Glendale, Arizona, both of which hosted the 2024 Games. Copa America football tournament.
Searches for Airbnb «Play– category – homes that include fun interactive features like water slides and cabins – doubled this summer from last, which is why places like Broken Bow, Oklahoma, and Ouray, Colorado, which have plenty of cabin properties, topped the list.
Airbnb based its research on US-based search data from January to March 15, 2024 for stays in June, July and August, as well as survey results from 130,000 users.
Top Summer Travel Destinations in the United States
- Quincy, Washington
- Columbia, South Carolina
- Las Vegas, Nevada
- Glendale, Arizona
- Ouray, Colorado
- Eugene, Oregon
- Broken Arch, Oklahoma
- Saint Paul, Minnesota
- Rosemary Beach, Florida
- Santa Rosa Beach, Florida
Large number
271 million. That's the estimated number of Americans who flew to summer destinations between June 1 and Aug. 31, according to predictions from Airlines for America.
Key context
Quincy, Washington is a rural city located in the center of the state. Although most of its income comes from agriculture, tourism is a significant part of its economy, contributing to the city's prosperity. $22 billion in tourism revenue to Washington each year. The city has many natural attractions such as hiking, camping and water sports, which are major draws for summer travelers, according to Airbnb data. It is also home to the Gorge Amphitheatre, which has hosted summer concerts top artists like Blink-182, Willie Nelson, Luke Bryan, Bob Dylan and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. The Amphitheatre draws crowds of up to 20,000 people.
Top Labor Day Travel Destinations
Airbnb also released data on the most popular destinations for Labor Day weekend in the United States. As college football resumes, guests want to stay near their favorite universities. Airbnb searches in cities where college football is played increased 130% this Labor Day weekend, according to Airbnb data. Among the most booked college towns are Gainesville, Florida; College Station, Texas; and Columbia, South Carolina. Labor Day weekend is one of the busiest travel periods in the country, and the Travel Security Administration anticipate This year, the Labor Day travel period will be the busiest ever, with more than 17 million travelers between August 29 and September 4.
Tangent
Several major U.S. cities have imposed restrictions on Airbnb and other short-term rentals, making it difficult for guests to book stays. New York City passed a law that prevents hosts from renting out their homes for less than 30 days unless they have registered their property with the state and have stayed in the home with the guests. San Francisco— the birthplace of Airbnb — requires hosts to limit rentals to less than 90 days, unless they are staying at the property at the same time as guests. Hosts must also register with the city, pay a hotel tax, and meet insurance and safety requirements. Atlanta Residents can own short-term rental properties in the city, and there is a cap of two rental properties per person. Hosts must also pay an annual fee of $150 for their rental license, in addition to an 8% rental tax for each property.
