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[Sports Seoul | Reporter Wi Soo-jung] This summer’s travel vibe is simple: playcations, nearby escapes, and nostalgia-fueled getaways.
Airbnb rolled out its “2026 Summer Travel Trends” report on the 27th, noting a rise in demand across the U.S. and Korea for activity-driven trips and short local breaks.
Travelers this summer are prioritizing hobbies and experiences over pure downtime. The trend Airbnb calls the playcation—a mashup of play and vacation—has taken center stage.
In the U.S., bookings near golf courses, lakes, and surf spots have jumped, signaling that what travelers will do at a destination now often matters more than the destination itself.
Short, low-stress trips close to home are also on the rise. Airbnb reports that one in three travelers now spends their vacation not far from where they live. Interest in small regional towns—easier to get to and kinder on the wallet than big-name tourist hubs—has climbed. A Focaldata survey found that 86% of all travelers and 94% of Gen Z are interested in trips to small regional towns.
The nostalgia trend is making a comeback, too. Destinations that were trendy with millennials in 2016 are getting a Gen Z refresh in 2026. But it’s not just revisiting the same spots—travelers are pairing those familiar places with hidden local gems and new experiences.
Examples driving increased bookings from Gen Z include Surat Thani in Thailand; Folegandros and Lefkada in Greece; Ubatuba and Fortaleza in Brazil; and Zaragoza and Santander in Spain. Sevierville, Tennessee, is also drawing more attention alongside visits to the Great Smoky Mountains.
Airbnb expects the 2026 FIFA World Cup™ this summer to spark major travel demand. With matches hosted across North America, fan travel is already ramping up, and Airbnb plans to expand affordable accommodations and local experience offerings around host cities to meet that demand.
In key host cities—Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York/New Jersey, Toronto, and Vancouver—Airbnb will pair stays with curated food and cultural experiences.
An Airbnb spokesperson said, “Travelers are increasingly choosing hobby- and experience-focused trips close to home and rediscovering familiar places in fresh ways. This summer, travel is evolving to prioritize meaningful experiences over mere movement.” wsj0114@sportsseoul.com
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