This week’s roundup covers Airbnb’s 2026 travel predictions, AAA’s encouraging holiday travel forecast, Vrbo’s latest ski season insights, and key short-term rental policy updates from New York and Australia. Let’s dive in.
On Monday, Airbnb released its 2026 travel predictions, highlighting several trends vacation rental owners and operators should be watching as demand continues to evolve. Airbnb points to the growth of one to two-day international trips, driven largely by Gen Z travelers seeking high-energy, culture-rich city getaways rather than longer vacations. The report also shows continued momentum around outdoor travel, with searches for stays “near a national park” up 35 percent in the U.S. for 2026, as more guests look to unplug and spend time in nature. Event-focused travel remains a major driver of bookings as well, with 65 percent of Airbnb’s top searched dates and cities tied to major cultural, sporting, and music events, including the Winter Olympics, FIFA World Cup, Carnival, and Coachella.
AAA released its year-end holiday travel forecast, projecting another record-breaking season for U.S. travel. The organization expects more than 122 million Americans to travel 50 miles or more between December 20th and January 1st, surpassing last year’s record and signaling strong demand throughout the holiday season. They predict that road trips will continue to dominate, driven by flexibility and lower fuel costs, while air travel is also expected to hit new highs as millions fly to visit friends and family. AAA says the forecast reflects continued confidence in travel spending, even as travelers remain selective about how and when they book their trips.
Vrbo released Key to Ski: How to Plan a Ski Trip, a new online travel guide that blends expert planning tips with insights drawn from Vrbo’s search data. The guide highlights Big Sky, Montana, as the fastest-growing destination for skiers, Breckenridge, Colorado, as one of the most popular mountain towns, and Vail, Colorado, as a world-class ski destination known for its luxury accommodations. Vrbo also uses this guide to advise travelers to book two months in advance for better prices, to travel during less busy periods whenever possible, and to prioritize stays located near ski resorts to maximize their time on the mountain.
Monroe County became the first major county in upstate New York to opt out of creating a short-term rental registry this week, after the County voted 21 to 8 to decline participation in the state-run system for tracking vacation rental listings. Supporters of the decision cited concerns over added bureaucracy and the county’s existing tax collection agreements, while critics argued the move limits transparency and oversight. The decision highlights an encouraging trend of local governments taking the time to assess long-term implications and regulatory strategies, rather than reacting quickly to public frustration over short-term rentals.
Brisbane City Council has announced a new set of proposed restrictions on short-term rentals, which would require many operators to obtain development approval and permits to continue hosting. Under the proposed plan, short-term rental properties in low and medium-low density zones would need approval to continue operating, with permit holders facing new requirements including public liability insurance, published house rules, and a nominated 24-hour contact who must respond to complaints within one hour and report back to the council within one day. Also added is a three-strikes policy, which would revoke permits after repeated disturbances. Owners who operate without approval could face fines exceeding $140,000. The proposed changes follow a 2023 task force review that found little evidence linking short-term rentals to increases in Queensland’s rental prices. If approved by the state government, the new rules would take effect on July 1st, 2026.
As demand remains strong heading into the end of 2025 and experts look ahead to 2026 travel trends, expect continued shifts in traveler behavior and short-term rental regulation. Check back next week for the latest industry news.