Airbnb Fall 2025 travel trends: Gen Z, foliage and beach dupes - how hosts can win


Airbnb's Fall 2025 trends report has landed - here's the news, what it means and the tweaks you can make as a host to convert interest into stays.


The headlines at a glance:
  • Gen Z searches are up 26% for autumn travel, with a lean towards international trips and "affordable luxury"
  • Foliage destinations are surging in reviews and saves, with itineraries driving discovery (what is a foliage destination? These are areas where guests can admire the colourful autumn tree leaves, also known as leaf-peeping)
  • Travellers are looking for hidden gem coastal areas where they can escape the crowd


Trend 1: Gen Z driving demand


Airbnb highlights a sharp rise in Gen Z interest for autumn travel. This audience is value conscious but design aware. They scroll quickly, compare across platforms, and respond to media that feels real. Think short video that shows how a space lives, transparent pricing, and friction-free planning. Gen Z also leans toward longer, experience-led trips, often mixing remote work with micro-escapes. That means listings that tell a clear story and show functional details win attention first.


Why it matters for bookings:

If your listing looks generic or dated in the first five photos, they move on. If your copy does not spell out why your place is “good value without compromise,” you miss the conversion window. 


Action points to position yourself well for Gen Z travellers:
  • Update your listing photos aiming for a boutique feel.
  • Make sure the first five images on your listing are design-led, communicating value fast.
  • Create a value-led autumn weekend deal promotion to convert browsers to guests.


Trend 2: Autumn foliage driving location choices

Leaf-peeping is a strong discovery engine this year. Guests search by theme as much as by place, saving itineraries and “best view” lists to plan short breaks. Regions famous for colour will see heavier traffic, but the pattern travels. Any destination with parks, hills, waterfront trails or scenic drives can package an autumn nature experience that feels shareable and useful.


Why it matters for bookings:

Visual planning leads to wishlist saves, which feed algorithm visibility. Listings that provide practical information see higher engagement on socials and in-platform.


How to jump on this to gain extra visibility:
  • Focus your social media content on autumn.
  • Use seasonal key words in your captions, listings and website copy.


Trend 3: Hidden gem beach spots to extend the coastal season

Many travellers still want sun and sea in September and October. Instead of headline destinations, they are choosing calmer coastal alternatives with easier parking, shorter waits and better mid-week prices. This “dupe” mindset is perfect for hosts in secondary or lesser-known beach towns within two hours of major cities.


Why it matters for bookings:

Framing your area as a smart swap increases perceived value and reduces price sensitivity. Travellers want simple proof that autumn is a better time to visit and that your place is set up for it.


How to jump on this to gain extra visibility:
  • Post about lesser known beaches near your listing