This Fourth of July will mark a pivotal moment in the US’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, as the nation heads back outside for a taste of normalcy 16 months in the making.
Many Airbnb guests will be kicking off their summer vacation plans this holiday weekend, whether to escape the hot weather at the beach or to reunite with family and friends. According to Airbnb data, searches for stays on Airbnb over the July 4th weekend have increased by 57 percent this year, compared to 2019.
Ahead of the holiday weekend, here’s how Americans plan to embrace a once-in-century travel rebound this Independence Day.
Getting outside in the Great Outdoors
According to the recent Airbnb Report on Travel & Living, the great escape to rural will remain popular this holiday weekend, with travelers particularly eager to take in some sand and surf. In just the past month, searches for beachfront stays on Airbnb in the US over the Fourth of July increased by 127 percent.*
It’s not just white sand beaches on Americans’ minds this summer: Many are eager to discover spacious skies, amber waves of grain, and purple mountain majesties. From guests looking for a retreat in the Ozarks or the chance to celebrate the US’s 245th birthday in the nation’s capital, the following US states and district have seen the biggest increase in searches for summer stays over the past month:
- Kansas (+199%)
- Oklahoma (+169%)
- Washington, DC (+130%)
- Illinois (+119%)
- Mississippi (+105%)
- Arkansas (+104%)
- Texas (+97%)
- Arizona (+95)
- Nebraska (+94%)
- Georgia (+91%)
A holiday once again spent with family and friends
After a year of isolation and separation, it’s no surprise that travelers are most looking forward to the opportunity to reconnect with loved ones this summer. As we revealed in the Airbnb Report on Travel & Living last month, as of April 30, 2021, family travel has spiked from 27 percent of overall nights booked in summer 2019 to 33 percent in summer 2021 globally.
This Fourth of July, Airbnb guests are warming up the grill, firing up the fireworks and breaking out some classic traditions, surrounded by family and friends. Searches in the US over the holiday weekend for family travel, or listings with five or more bedrooms, are up 56 percent this year compared to 2019.
