These 5 Trends Will Define Luxury Travel This Summer

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We’re just a few weeks away from it officially being summer, which means travel is top of mind for most of us. Whether you’re dreaming of lounging on a white-sand beach or shopping in a chic European city, there are some destinations (and travel trends) making a major appearance this season, according to a brand-new report released by Airbnb.

The report says, “This summer’s travel is shaped by three things: playcations, nostalgia, and the allure of what’s close to home. We’ve seen a notable increase in domestic travel this summer in the US—travelers are exploring nearby destinations to enjoy their favorite active hobbies.”

The brand used search data from Q1 of 2025 that was used for bookings between June and September and compared it to the same data from this year, adding, “Globally, Gen Z is reimagining the iconic destinations of 2016 through a fresh lens, and gearing up to experience the FIFA World Cup 2026™ fever.”

Read on for the biggest summer travel trends of 2026, according to Airbnb.

Adult “Playcations”

In case you haven’t heard, making time for fun and indulging in your hobbies as an adult is cool again—and now travel is celebrating this with “playcations” designed for your favorite activities. The Airbnb report says, “Listings near golf courses, lakefronts, and surf spots have seen some of the highest booking growth, reflecting a growing desire to center travel around play and adventure. This summer, surfers, golfers, sailors, and boaters are putting these domestic adventure destinations on the map.”

Under-the-Radar Destinations

One of the biggest travel trends this summer is skipping the overly crowded destinations everyone already knows about—but still getting to do the things you love. Airbnb says, “86 percent of travelers and 94 percent of Gen Z travelers say they’re interested in rural getaways.”

These include under-the-radar spots like Bellingham, Washington, for its outdoor culture and craft beer scene; Eastport, Maine, for an art-filled coastal escape; Westfield, New York, for its wine trails along the Finger Lakes and historic architecture; and Blanding, Utah, for its stunning red rock canyons, Puebloan ruins, and dark sky stargazing.

The Return of 2016 Travel

What’s old is new again—and Gen Z travelers are revisiting destinations loved by millennials a decade ago, including Greece, Thailand, Spain, Brazil, and Tennessee. These destinations have seen a 20 percent increase, but there’s a small catch, according to Airbnb: “Fueled by a wave of nostalgia travel, Gen Z travelers aren’t just returning to Millennial classics but uncovering lesser-known pockets within them this summer.”

Instead of Athens, Airbnb says younger travelers are heading to Folegandros, “a rugged cliffside escape with untouched hiking trails and a laid-back bohemian vibe,” and Lefkada, “which is home to turquoise lagoons and a buzzing local beach scene.” Instead of Rio or São Paulo, they’re seeking out Ubatuba and Fortaleza for more laid-back beach adventures.

As for Spain, travelers are in favor of Zaragoza, which is known for its “grand Mudéjar architecture, rich Roman heritage, and lively tapas scene, while Santander offers a relaxed coastal lifestyle with calm beaches, stunning Cantabrian scenery, and fresh seafood.”

FIFA World Cup Host Cities

The FIFA World Cup 2026™ kicks off across North America this summer. Airbnb predicts that it will be its largest-ever event for bookings across the country, and there will be a surge of travel in host cities such as Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, among others.

Eclipse-cations

According to NASA, there will be a total solar eclipse on August 12 of this year, which will be visible in “Greenland, Iceland, Spain, Russia, and a small area of Portugal, while a partial eclipse will be visible in Europe, Africa, North America, the Atlantic Ocean, Arctic Ocean, and Pacific Ocean.”

Airbnb notes that it’s seeing a rise in bookings in these areas—especially in Spain. The report says, “With an upcoming eclipse in August, Spain’s rural destinations are seeing a surge in Gen Z bookings, as travelers seek clear skies in the countryside.”

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