“Although the travel landscape is drastically different this year, travelers are longing for a change in scenery and looking to outdoor destinations to enjoy the warmer months ahead,” said Caroline Burns, Head of PR and Travel Expert at HomeToGo. “We’re already seeing an upward trend in summer bookings in the U.S., especially in areas along the East Coast that offer quiet escapes from their nearby city counterparts. While travelers are primarily staying stateside, they’re still dreaming of faraway future jaunts to places like Aruba, Bali and Tulum.”
Key findings from HomeToGo’s 2021 Summer Travel Forecast include:
- Early Planning: Bookings for vacation rentals this summer in the U.S. are already up by +27% YoY.
- Travelers are Staying Stateside: 86% of summer travel searches are for domestic destinations (+15% YoY), with searches for spots on the East Coast seeing the biggest lift (+95% YoY).
- Rural Reigns over Urban: Only 12% of searches are for urban destinations (-35% YoY).
- Longer Road Trips: Travelers are willing to go the extra distance and searching for vacation rentals within 397 miles (+32% YoY) from home.
- Entire Properties Preferred Over Shared Spaces: Cabins, cottages and detached homes are the most popular accommodations option (bookings up +35% YoY).
This Summer’s Top Trending Destinations
HomeToGo’s study shows that most travelers in the U.S. are currently searching for domestic getaways, such as escapes to sunny Florida beaches and secluded Idaho cabins. While many are opting to travel within the U.S., according to HomeToGo’s search data, travelers are also beginning to dream about international destinations like Bali and the Maldives:
Destination | Country | YoY Increase in Searches | Average Length of Stay | Median Price Per Night |
1. Aruba | Aruba | 5,854.8% | 9.5 nights | $274.80 |
2. Gulf Coast | United States | 4,407.9% | 7.1 nights | $417.60 |
3. Tulum | Mexico | 1,959.1% | 8.2 nights | $164.40 |
4. Reunion, FL | United States | 1,465.9% | 5.9 nights | $416.40 |
5. Bali | Indonesia | 1,145.5% | 20.7 nights | $163.20 |
6. North Captiva Island, FL | United States | 1,140.0% | 8.4 nights | $548.40 |
7. Lido Key, FL | United States | 952.6% | 11.1 nights | $267.60 |
8. Maldives | Maldives | 820.0% | 7.7 nights | $378.00 |
9. St. Thomas | U.S. Virgin Islands | 767.2% | 10.3 nights | $369.60 |
10. Priest Lake, ID | United States | 560.6% | 6.1 nights | $344.40 |
10 Most Luxurious Summer Destinations in the U.S.
From the playground for New York’s elite to a laid-back beach town in South Carolina, HomeToGo took a look at the 2,000 most-searched destinations to reveal the places travelers are eyeing for more extravagant getaways this summer:
Destination | State | Median Price Per Night |
1. The Hamptons | New York | $1,066.80 |
2. Nantucket | Massachusetts | $1,038.00 |
3. Montauk | New York | $957.60 |
4. Seaside | Florida | $780.00 |
5. Avalon | New Jersey | $726.00 |
6. Corolla (Outer Banks) | North Carolina | $657.60 |
7. Martha's Vineyard | Massachusetts | $652.80 |
8. Isle Of Palms | South Carolina | $638.40 |
9. Beach Haven | New Jersey | $614.40 |
10. Chatham | Massachusetts | $574.80 |
10 Most Affordable Destinations in the U.S.
With the summer season being a popular, and therefore expensive, time to book vacations, HomeToGo’s research shares which destinations travelers are considering for budget friendly trips:
Destination | State | Median Price Per Night |
1. Orlando | Florida | $201.60 |
2. Upper Peninsula | Michigan | $222.00 |
3. New York City | New York | $234.00 |
4. Fort Myers Beach | Florida | $261.60 |
5. Honolulu | Hawaii | $272.40 |
6. Sanibel Island | Florida | $304.80 |
7. Siesta Key | Florida | $309.60 |
8. Miami | Florida | $316.80 |
9. Lake of the Ozarks | Missouri | $333.60 |
10. Glacier National Park | Montana | $334.80 |
