Summer travel trends for short-term rentals are shifting in 2025, including changes in how guests are booking, new investment markets, & upcoming holiday trends

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As the summer travel season approaches, short-term rental (STR) hosts and property managers are navigating a landscape of shifting guest behavior, softening demand, and key regional growth opportunities. 

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We’ve crunched the numbers across booking data, market performance, guest search data, and seasonal holiday pacing to bring you a clear picture of what’s unfolding in summer 2025. Whether you are an Airbnb host, looking for new short-term rental investments, or a vacation rental manager, these are the trends you need to know.

Summer 2025 Market Trends: Softer Demand, Select Opportunity

Summer's looking a little softer for the U.S. short-term rental market this year, with early pacing data for June-August showing a slight dip across the board:

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• Occupancy: 23% (down from 24% in 2024)
• ADR: $370 (down from $373)
• RevPAN: $115 (down from $119)
  
  

What’s driving the slowdown?

Economic caution is influencing traveler behavior. With inflation still lingering and budgets feeling tighter, guests are waiting longer to book and often staying closer to home. 

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“People still want to take trips, but those trips might be closer to home. They’re also waiting longer to book. They need to know that they have job security, that they’re able to fund their trip.” Julie Brinkman, CEO of Beyond, in Bloomberg

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This slow occupancy pacing also further highlights how shorter booking lead times are coming into play, so we might see occupancy rates pick up as the summer nears.

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For STR operators:‍

But while uncertainty is high, so is the opportunity. This isn’t panic mode, but it is a moment to update your revenue management strategy. Shorten minimum stay settings, ensure your last-minute discount strategy is updated, and keep your pricing dynamic. 

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Travelers are still out there—they're just being a little more careful. Meet them where they are.

Guest Booking Behavior: What’s Changed?

How—and where—guests book their stays is always evolving. Here’s a quick snapshot of the most notable shifts (and what’s holding steady) in guest booking behavior this year.

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• Length of Stay remains consistent at 3–4 days, showing no year-over-year change. This steady pattern highlights the ongoing appeal of quick getaways and long weekends.
• Booking Lead Time, however, has dropped significantly. Guests are now booking about 26 days in advance, a 12% decline YoY. That signals more last-minute travel behavior—likely driven by economic uncertainty or increased booking flexibility.
• Airbnb continues to dominate, accounting for over 50% of all bookings. Its influence remains strong, although other channels are making strategic gains in certain markets.
  

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Where to Invest: Top Short-Term Rental Markets in 2025

We’ve combed through our vacation rental data spotlight on six standout U.S. markets for short-term rental investors:

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How they rank:

• Up & Coming: Taos – An up and coming travel destination filled with cultural heritage sites and museums.
• Reliable Returns: Nashville & Oregon Coast – steady performers with manageable lead times.
• High Demand: Florida Panhandle – strong occupancy and ADR, ideal for scaling portfolios.
• Revenue Powerhouse: Alabama Gulf Coast – top-tier returns and long booking windows.
  
  

July 4th Snapshot 

The July 4th holiday is a huge opportunity for STR operators throughout the U.S. and is vital for revenue capture. Here’s how the early signals are pacing:

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July 4th short-term rental trends:

• Occupancy is pacing at 35%, which is an increase of 4.3% YoY.
• ADRs are pacing at $423, which is about 1.1% ahead of last year.
• RevPAN is pacing at $188, which is about 7% ahead of last year.
• Search data: Guests are searching for 3-4 night stays for their July 4th holiday. Searches have been steadily increasing since January of this year, suggesting higher demand as the holiday gets nearer.

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July 4th still presents a solid opportunity to boost RevPAN with optimized pricing and targeted minimum stays settings.

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How We Gather Our Data

All insights are powered by Beyond’s proprietary dataset, built from tens of thousands of active vacation rental listings across global markets. We analyze real-time reservation activity, historical trends, forward-looking data, and anonymized performance metrics. Our focus is to surface actionable intelligence—from guest search habits to revenue per available night (RevPAN) movement—so STR operators can make informed pricing and portfolio decisions with confidence. Data in this post reflects trends for short-term rental markets in the U.S. and includes year-over-year comparisons where relevant.

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While some summer pacing indicators are softer than last year, opportunity still exists—especially in specific markets and around key holidays. Staying agile with pricing, responding to late booking behavior, and doubling down on the most profitable channels will be key.

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Need help making sense of your local market? Beyond’s dynamic pricing and data tools can help you stay ahead—no matter how the season unfolds. 

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Try Beyond’s data today – for free!

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