Short-term rentals are expected to experience a boost this year for Memorial Day, with Airbnb reporting a 10% increase in searches compared to last year. Warm beach destinations are dominating, but there is also high interest in rural experiences. Airbnb’s top 10 search destinations include locations with pools and water features, while Destin, Florida secured the top spot on HomeToGo’s list, with other beach destinations such as Panama City Beach and Myrtle Beach also making it to the top 10 on both platforms.
Rental platforms have observed a trend towards outdoor getaways, with lakes, cabins, national parks, and rural countryside locations gaining traction. Despite urban destinations such as “iconic cities” being popular on Airbnb, HomeToGo has seen a preference for rural destinations, with states like Texas, Colorado, Virginia, and Wisconsin being among the most-searched. Urban locations only made up 17% of overall search volume for Memorial Day, indicating a preference for rural getaways.
There is a strong demand for the holiday weekend as it approaches, with a 54% increase in searches for stays with check-in dates over the weekend reported by HomeToGo between March and April. Booking earlier can help travelers save money, as there was a $17 increase in the median price per night per person for bookings made later in the month compared to earlier. The average travel distance has decreased, with U.S. travelers opting for closer destinations this year, with an average distance of 999 miles recorded in 2024 compared to 1,565 miles in 2023.
The top U.S. destinations for Memorial Day searches on Airbnb and HomeToGo include beach locations like Destin, Florida, Gulf Shores, Alabama, and Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Other destinations include urban cities like Chicago and Boston, as well as outdoor getaways like Gatlinburg, Tennessee and National Parks. Airbnb’s top 10 list includes cities like Las Vegas and Los Angeles, as well as beach destinations like Orange Beach, Alabama and Pensacola Beach, Florida.
Overall, rural destinations are preferred for getaways around the Memorial Day holiday, with a focus on lakes, cabins, and national parks. While cities are still popular, they make up a smaller percentage of overall search volume, with travelers opting for closer destinations and road trips. Despite the popularity of beach locations for the summer season, rustic stays are also of interest for Memorial Day travelers, with a variety of destinations catering to different preferences and interests.
