Airbnb predicts Gen Z will lead ultra-short trip trend
Airbnb released its 2026 travel trend predictions on Monday, forecasting that travellers will prioritise authentic experiences and maximise their time away in new ways.
The home-share platform’s analysis reveals Gen Z is leading a shift toward ultra-short international getaways. At the same time, searches for stays near national parks surge and major global events drive destination choices. According to Airbnb’s data, one- to two-day international trips among Gen Z travellers are growing faster than extended vacations, a trend building over the past three years. Fueled by viral TikTok day-trip videos, young travellers are crossing continents for high-energy, culture-rich escapes to vibrant cities rather than relaxing beach towns. This generation is teaching “a masterclass in how to maximise PTO,” the report states, by choosing destinations filled with music, dance, historic sites, and authentic cuisine.
Short Trips and Viral Destinations Lead Gen Z’s Travel Strategy.
Top destinations for these quick getaways include Buenos Aires, Argentina; Marrakesh, Morocco; Mexico City, Mexico; Busan, South Korea; and Ko Samui, Thailand. Gen Z is also flocking to Brazilian cities João Pessoa and Maceió, as well as San Juan, Puerto Rico; Stockholm, Sweden; and Nakano, Japan.
Research from Skyscanner found that 52% of Gen Z intend to travel abroad more frequently in 2026, while a Tripit survey revealed 69% of Gen Z and millennial respondents find travel inspiration on social media, with 44% using TikTok specifically. This aligns with Airbnb’s observation that viral TikTok content is reshaping how young travellers discover and book destinations.
National Parks, Major Events, and Solo Travel See Surges
Beyond Gen Z’s quick trips, Airbnb identified several other major trends. Searches for stays “near a national park” are up 35% for 2026, with U.S. parks spotlighted as the country celebrates its 250th anniversary and centennials for iconic parks including Great Smoky Mountains, Shenandoah, and Grand Teton. Top destinations include Acadia National Park, Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and Yosemite National Park in the U.S., plus international locations like Crete, Greece, and Goa, India.
Additionally, 65% of top-searched dates and cities for 2026 coincide with major cultural, sporting, and music events such as the Winter Olympics, FIFA World Cup, Carnival, and Coachella. Cities seeing demand surges include Milan, Italy, for the 2026 Winter Olympics; Rio de Janeiro for Carnival; and New Orleans for Mardi Gras.
Solo travel is experiencing a renaissance, with destinations like Idyllwild, California; La Altagracia, Dominican Republic; and Tromsø, Norway, seeing upwards of triple-digit growth. Other top solo destinations include the Algarve region of Portugal, Bali, Indonesia, and the Florida Keys. Culinary travel is also heating up, with bakery classes in Paris, Tokyo, and Lisbon among the most-booked experiences, while wine regions including Bangalore, India; Finger Lakes, New York; and Melbourne, Australia, show spikes in bookings.
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Fractional Ownership Aligns with Short-Trip Preferences
The shift toward ultra-short trips may also benefit the fractional ownership market, which allows multiple buyers to share ownership of a vacation property.
This model naturally accommodates travellers who prefer frequent, shorter stays over extended vacations. Fractional ownership typically limits individual usage to approximately six weeks annually—a structure that aligns well with travellers taking multiple brief getaways rather than one or two long trips.
As the appeal of spontaneous weekend getaways grows, the economics of traditional second home ownership become increasingly questionable. Owners still enjoy their fractional property with family and friends, creating a consistent base for memories and holidays, while the freedom to explore other destinations on weekends means they’re actually using their allocated time more efficiently.
Full ownership of a vacation property becomes harder to justify as actual usage continues to decline in favour of shorter, more diverse trips. Adding to this flexibility, many fractional ownership companies now offer property exchange programs, allowing owners to swap their allocated weeks at their home property for stays at other destinations within the company’s portfolio.
This feature enables owners to explore new locations each year while still maximising their six-week entitlement, further appealing to travellers seeking variety and spontaneous discovery.
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