If you’ve considered abandoning your travel plans and staying home this summer, you’re not alone. “Staycations,” vacations spent enjoying the comforts of home or within the local area, are on the rise this year, with a considerable number of Americans opting to skip distant getaways to stay close by, according to a new study by Panterra Research, published via Airbnb.
That’s not the only travel trend the survey found. They also discovered that a significant number of U.S. participants are engaging in “fandom travel,” meaning they’re jetting out of town for big affairs like concerts or sporting events. However, good food is also a major preference, just as long as it’s local and affordable.
The poll included respondents from the U.S., Brazil, Spain, Greece, the Netherlands, and Belgium, and its results widely expanded the travel trend predictions released by Condé Nast Traveler in January 2025, such as “JOMO,” aka the joy of missing out, and the allure of hotel room designs. Airbnb also compiled internal data from guest searches to support Panterra’s findings. We further break down these trends and their implications for the travel industry below.
Swapping Getaways for Staycations
Staycations aren’t a new concept, as they appeal to many people who’d rather use the time to work on home projects or indulge in the offerings in their local areas. Airbnb found that even those traveling on mini trips are searching only within 300 miles of their homes, with staying local being a top priority. The rental booking platform revealed that groups and families represent the largest proportion of staycations in the country, with over 60 percent of nearby searches.
Panterra’s consumer survey took a deeper dive into spontaneous staycations, noting that cost is a substantial factor in how Americans are traveling this summer. They discovered that 43 percent of U.S. participants planned to drive rather than fly for their upcoming trips, and 39 percent stated that they preferred to travel domestically instead of internationally to save money. With 29 percent of Americans surveyed having children 18 years old or younger living at home, staycations have become more attractive than faraway destinations.
Despite staycations being more convenient and cost-effective for those looking to fill their downtime on a budget, it isn’t going unnoticed how the trend is affecting the tourism industry. According to Business Analyst Learning, a resource site for business analysts, hospitality companies are seeking alternative methods to attract guests, such as adding wellness offerings, family packages, and romantic hideaways, as the demand for staycations has grown. Adapting to the evolution of this trend has been a prominent focus for the industry, with the understanding that much of their clientele might be close to home.
The Fandom Travel Craze
Although many people are choosing to stay home this summer, others are more inclined to travel to follow their favorite artist or sports team. These have been dubbed “fandom travelers,” which refers to those who often travel far and wide to immerse themselves in the live experience. Panterra factored this into their results, which showed that 32 percent of U.S. participants expressed they planned to travel more for large-scale events.
Family reunions are the primary event that people travel for, with concerts falling second, although Gen Z females specifically favor the latter. Beyoncé’s highly anticipated Cowboy Carter tour has attracted fans known as her “Beehive” from all over the world, as she makes stops in New York City and Houston. (Searches for the singer’s Texas shows in June surged +620 percent, per Airbnb’s reports.)
Mega-popular Colombian performer Shakira also saw an uptick in searches of +200 percent for the May dates of her Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour in Charlotte, North Carolina, according to the platform.
Other sought-after events include the rock band Oasis’s July reunion tour dates in Manchester, United Kingdom, in which Airbnb searches surged +500 percent, The State of Origin Rugby game in June with a +250 percent surge in searches for rentals in Perth, Australia, and an 85 percent surge in searches for rentals during Australian singer Kylie Minogue’s August concert dates in Santiago, Chile.
The fandom travel trend could have a profound impact on the tourism industry, as many concertgoers and sports enthusiasts would seek restaurants and attractions near the venues. Per a 2024 global survey of Airbnb guests recalled in the article, visitors spent an average of $165 per day on local dining, groceries, and things to do in the area.
Delicious Eats Close to Home
One thing that has remained the same for years is that guests love to indulge in great food. They enjoy trying new experiences, changing up their environment, and satisfying their palette with unique and savory dishes. However, what has changed is how far they are willing to travel for that out-of-this-world dining experience and how much they’ll have to fork over.
This summer, food lovers aren’t spending their hard-earned cash on a plane ticket to venture to Italy for an authentic Italian meal or Spain for the top Spanish cuisine. Instead, they’re choosing to dine at local gems that give them a similar culinary experience at more wallet-friendly prices. This rang true in Panterra’s study, which found that nearly half of travelers (47 percent) prioritized local cuisine as their top food and beverage destination.
According to Rewards Network — a Chicago, Illinois-based company that leads the nation in promotional programs for the restaurant industry — restaurants can capitalize on the staycation trend, at least those in areas that don’t rely on tourists. The experts encourage flowing with the trend by creating special menus, partnering with nearby businesses, and hosting out-of-the-ordinary pop-up events to draw in customers. This would also generate revenue during slower times of the year and boost interest for local patrons.
A Different Way to Vacation
We may think back on the memories of family trips overseas or lavish island getaways with fondness, but with the current economic struggles, vacations are looking a little different these days. Many people gravitate toward staying close to home or taking shorter adventures to limit costs and explore nearby pleasures, and they’ve proved that you can have the ideal vacation not far away from your backyard.
