Here’s a polished English translation of the Chinese title: **”Airbnb Releases 2026 Summer Outbound Travel Trends Report”**

K-Pop Star Chasing in South Korea, Wild Adventures in Southeast Asia, and Cross-Continent Game Viewing in the US, Canada, and Mexico

BeijingJune 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As summer arrives, Chinese travelers are set to embark on the most relaxed and vibrant travel season of the year. Their enthusiasm for outbound travel is accelerating during the summer months, with search interest for the early summer Dragon Boat Festival holiday doubling compared to the spring Qingming Festival break^[1]. According to the “2026 Summer Chinese Travelers Outbound Travel Trends Report”^[2] released by Airbnb, South Korea continues to hold the top spot as the most popular destination, with search interest doubling year-over-year. Thailand, Japan, the United States, France, Italy, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Malaysia, and Indonesia round out the top ten most searched destinations this summer.

This summer, travel inspiration driven by interests and major events continues to flourish. High-profile K-pop performances are fueling South Korea’s sustained dominance, while high-intensity outdoor experiences are driving a surge in popularity across Southeast Asian destinations. Furthermore, the FIFA World Cup is powerfully boosting interest in the three host nations—the United States, Canada, and Mexico—making them undeniable national focal points. Generation Z is emerging as the core force leading this outbound travel wave, accounting for over half of first-time bookers, significantly higher than their overall share. Meanwhile, approximately 70% of searches are concentrated during non-holiday periods, as more travelers embrace a relaxed, unhurried pace to enjoy their summer journeys.

To welcome this summer travel boom, Airbnb has launched new service categories including fresh grocery delivery, airport transfers, and luggage storage, and has introduced boutique hotels and independent hotels to its platform, making the entire trip smoother and more convenient. Additionally, the Airbnb app will be upgraded with AI-powered tools to help users find ideal accommodations and plan itineraries.

South Korea Takes Center Stage This Summer, K-Pop and Coastal Vibes Amplify the Season’s Spirit

South Korea has retained its position as the most searched outbound destination since spring. Driven by the powerful allure of K-pop, search interest in Seoul has doubled, securing the top spot by a wide margin in the global list of popular cities and making it the most sought-after destination for Generation Z. During a weekend when the Waterbomb Music Festival and the Super Junior-83z fan meeting were concentrated in Seoul, platform search interest surged to over ten times the usual level. At the same time, the trend of summer coastal getaways in South Korea is rising, boosting interest in Jeju Island and Busan, which have seen search volumes double year-over-year. On these cool islands with average temperatures in the low twenties Celsius, hydrangeas are in full bloom, allowing travelers to freely explore Jeju’s beaches or cool off in the valleys of Hallasan Mountain, immersing themselves in nature’s energy.

Airbnb data shows that Generation Z accounts for about half of travelers to South Korea, with solo and duo trips dominating, making up as much as 70% of bookings. Whether flying solo to Seoul for a concert or heading to the coast with friends for a summer escape, more and more young people are traveling in a lighter, more spontaneous way. According to source market data, besides mega-cities, travelers from Zhengzhou and Nanjing have shown significant enthusiasm for visiting South Korea. With favorable visa policies opening dedicated channels for multiple cities, the travel fever for South Korea is further spreading to more new first-tier cities, drawing more Gen Z travelers into this summer journey of star-chasing and wave-riding.

World Cup Ignites Cross-Ocean Viewing Craze, Searches for US, Canada, and Mexico Cities Skyrocket

With just ten days to go until the opening of the 2026 FIFA World Cup™, the enthusiasm of Chinese fans for traveling across the ocean to watch the matches is heating up. At the beginning of 2026, accommodation bookings by Chinese travelers for the World Cup period tripled year-over-year^[3], and as summer arrives, search interest for multiple host cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico continues to climb^[4]. Among them, Los Angeles, Vancouver, New York/New Jersey, Boston, and Toronto, with their dense match schedules and vibrant viewing atmospheres, are the World Cup destinations attracting the most attention from Chinese travelers. Whether experiencing the electrifying atmosphere of the US team’s opening match in Los Angeles or heading to New York/New Jersey to witness the trophy ceremony, these cities will become “super live venues” this summer, where global fans share the passion. Airbnb is offering several once-in-a-lifetime FIFA World Cup experiences in six host cities, including watching the exciting match between the US and Australia in Los Angeles alongside Women’s World Cup champions Abby Wambach and Julie Foudy; or stepping onto the pitch to train with Argentine football legend and former Inter Miami CF head coach Javier Mascherano.

Meanwhile, search interest for Mexico’s three host cities has surged dramatically year-over-year. Monterrey, surrounded by mountains in the north, has entered the Chinese public’s view thanks to the World Cup, with search interest soaring to fourteen times that of the same period last year. Its visually stunning mountain-view stadium will attract more and more fans on a pilgrimage. Guadalajara, a city with a deep football tradition, has seen search interest quadruple year-over-year. Travelers will experience the vibrant Latin American culture and street-side viewing atmosphere in this city infused with the “soul of football.”

Driven by the tournament, the average length of stay for Chinese travelers in the US, Canada, and Mexico has reached nine nights, with more people choosing longer stays, deeper experiences, and multi-city itineraries for this cross-ocean viewing trip. Millennials and Generation Z are the main force searching for World Cup accommodations, with Gen Z’s share higher than the overall outbound travel average. Travelers from Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen are leading the enthusiasm. Additionally, travelers from Suzhou, Nanjing, Changsha, Xi’an, and Tianjin, fueled by local leagues like “Suzhou Super League” and “Zhejiang Super League” and a strong football atmosphere, have shown a higher interest in traveling, preparing to embark on this global celebration spanning mountains and seas.

High-Energy Summer in Thailand and Indonesia, Solo Strolls Through the Streets of Vietnam

Thanks to their high concentration of natural beauty and rich outdoor experiences, Chiang Mai in Thailand and Bali in Indonesia have seen search interest soar, both ranking among the top three most popular cities this summer^[5]. Among them, Chiang Mai leads all Southeast Asian destinations, with search volume increasing by over four times year-over-year. Travelers can venture into the wilderness, wade upstream at the uniquely textured Sticky Waterfall, stroll through the jungle with elephants, or embark on a sweaty, energetic summer challenge at a tropical tennis training camp. Bali has entered its comfortable dry season. From snorkeling in the Komodo Islands to hiking Mount Batur, and from hot yoga to surf training, the “Bali Sports Academy,” beloved by young people, gives island travel a new meaning, allowing travelers to forge a deeper connection between movement, nature, and bodily awareness.

Beyond releasing high-energy vitality, Vietnam, with its unique urban character and sense of relaxation, has become a favorite solo travel destination for Generation Z. Interest in Vietnam has risen across the board this summer, with search volumes for popular destinations like Da Nang, Phu Quoc Island, Ho Chi Minh City, and Hanoi all doubling year-over-year. Ho Chi Minh City is particularly favored by Gen Z, ranking among the top five fastest-growing cities for searches by this demographic, with a year-over-year increase of over three times. Travelers will embark on a leisurely urban stroll: starting the day with a refreshing iced coffee concoction, experiencing an authentic Vietnamese SPA, then wandering along the streets, savoring Michelin-recommended street food at local noodle shops and family eateries, letting time flow in the lazy shadows of Southeast Asia.