Airbnb: Generation Z imposes the fashion of ultra-short trips

Travel is changing, and fast. In its new forecast report for 2026, Airbnb describes how people are increasingly looking for "real" experiences and trying to make the most of every free minute outside the home. The platform's analysis shows that Generation Z is at the forefront of a new wave - ultra-short international trips of one or two days, in which young travelers jump on the plane for a weekend, instead of waiting for long annual vacations.

According to Airbnb data, it is the youngest adults who are shifting the focus from long vacations to short but emotion-packed stays. This trend has been developing for three years. It is fueled by viral TikTok videos about "day" trips to other countries. Instead of choosing quiet seaside resorts, representatives of Generation Z fly to large, noisy and colorful cities, where they can combine music, dance, history and local cuisine within a weekend. In the Airbnb report, this generation is described as people who lead a "masterclass in making the most of paid leave".

Short trips, viral destinations and TikTok

Among the most popular cities for such short "shock" trips are Buenos Aires in Argentina, Marrakech in Morocco, Mexico City, Busan in South Korea and the island of Ko Samui in Thailand. Generation Z is also heading to the Brazilian cities of João Pessoa and Maceió, to San Juan in Puerto Rico, Stockholm in Sweden and Nakano in Japan.

Other studies confirm the same direction. A Skyscanner study shows that 52% of Generation Z representatives plan to travel abroad more often in 2026. A TripIt survey found that 69% of young people from Generation Z and millennials draw travel inspiration from social networks, with 44% pointing to TikTok. This fits perfectly with Airbnb's observations – viral content changes not only dreams, but also actual bookings.

Bulgaria in this picture

These habits do not bypass Bulgaria either. Young foreigners are increasingly seen arriving in Sofia, Plovdiv or Bansko for just 2–3 days – for a weekend with bars, concerts and a tour of old neighborhoods, or for a short ski run. At the same time, Bulgarian youth copy the model – instead of one long summer vacation, they bet on several short "escapes" to nearby capitals such as Belgrade, Athens, Bucharest or Istanbul. For the tourism sector in our country, this means a more dynamic calendar, more "last minute" bookings and greater interest in central neighborhoods, hostels and small boutique accommodations.

National parks, major events and "solo" trips are gaining strength

Airbnb also outlines other major trends for 2026. Searches for accommodation "close to a national park" have increased by about 35%. There is particular interest in parks in the USA, where the country will celebrate its 250th anniversary, as well as the centennial anniversaries of iconic parks such as the "Great Smoky Mountains", "Shenandoah" and "Grand Teton". Among the most desirable locations are Acadia National Park, the Jackson Hole area in Wyoming and Yosemite National Park, as well as international destinations such as the island of Crete in Greece and Goa in India.

The report also emphasizes the role of major events. About 65% of the most searched dates and cities for 2026 coincide with large-scale cultural, sporting and musical events – the Winter Olympics, the FIFA World Cup, carnivals and festivals such as "Coachella". Cities like Milan (for the winter games), Rio de Janeiro (carnival) and New Orleans (Mardi Gras) are experiencing a noticeable increase in interest.

Separately, solo trips are experiencing a real renaissance. Places like Idyllwild in California, La Altagracia in the Dominican Republic and Tromsø in Norway are marking a triple-digit increase in demand from solo travelers. Among the other favorite destinations for a "solo trip" are the Portuguese Algarve, Bali in Indonesia and the Florida Keys in the USA.

Gastronomic tourism is also experiencing strong growth. Among the most popular experiences are cooking classes for baked goods in Paris, Tokyo and Lisbon. Wine regions are also gaining fans – the area around Bangalore in India, Finger Lakes in New York State and Melbourne in Australia are reporting an increasing number of bookings. This shows that for many people, travel is no longer just a "vacation", but a chance to learn something new, try local food and immerse themselves in a foreign culture in the most delicious way possible.