It’s no small thing: Super-sizing is taking hold in American vacationing: HomeAway analyzed data to find demand for castles and estates up by 55 percent and 25 percent, respectively.^[1]

HomeAway’s data also painted a picture of how an adult-ing Generation Z, whose members now top out at age 24, likes to get away from it all: in cities, with their friends rather than traveling with immediate family or opting to go at it alone^[2].

The findings are among highlights of the HomeAway 2019 Trend Report, fresh with data-driven insights into where and how Americans will travel in the year to come, based on 2018 HomeAway vacation rental demand and other data.

As for where Americans will vacation in 2019, Hocking Hills, southwest of Columbus, Ohio, and home to a stunning state park, ranked a surprising number one among fastest-growing destinations. Meanwhile, Florida reigns supreme when it comes to favorite places to stay, with homes in Lake Buena Vista and Davenport, both a stone’s throw from Walt Disney World, taking honors as HomeAway’s most-booked and “most-hearted” properties, respectively^[3].

“What is so striking about this year’s findings are the generational differences they reveal, and their implications for vacationing and vacation home rental activity for years to come,” said Melanie Fish, HomeAway travel expert. “For one, more than three quarters of these newly independently vacationing Gen Z’ers have already stayed in a vacation home, cabin or condo at some point in their lives, making them far likelier than their parents to consider vacation rentals a primary lodging option as they continue to mature.”

The highlights:

• Bigger Homes for Bigger Value Seekers. Savvy planners are learning that bigger homes can dramatically lower the cost of vacation lodging. Case in point: This California Wine Country estate (HomeAway Property 3503092) sleeps 10 for only $68 per person, per night^[4].
• Head for the (Hocking) Hills: Up-and-Coming Destinations. HomeAway spotted places where demand for vacation rental homes grew dramatically over the past year^[1]:
  - Hocking Hills, Ohio (rental demand up more than 130 percent): home to one of the country’s most stunning state parks, and up a staggering 375 percent over the past three years.
  - Newton County, Ark. (rental demand up 130 percent): gateway to the Insta-worthy Ozark National Forest and home to a grand canyon all its own.
  - Loudoun County, Va. (rental demand up 105 percent): surprisingly awash in wineries, just in the shadow of the nation’s capital. (Napa, watch your back.)
• Go with the Flow: Top Vacation Destinations^[5].
  - Domestic (top five locations, in descending order): Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, Tenn.; Gulf Shores, Ala.; Panama City Beach, Fla.; Miramar and Rosemary Beach, Fla.; Maui, Hawaii
  - International (top five locations, in descending order): Paris, France; Puerto Penasco, Mexico; London, England; Rome, Italy; Florence, Italy
• Most-Desired Vacation Home Feature. – Swimming pools.
• Room for All. The number of beds available in homes across all HomeAway rental sites can now accommodate the entire population of New York City^[6].

The full report is available at http://hmwy.co/HomeAwayTrendReport2019

Notes:
[1] HomeAway vacation rental demand, September 1, 2016- August 31, 2017 vs. September 1, 2017-August 31, 2018.

[2] HomeAway Travel Planning and Brands Survey, February 2018

[3] HomeAway stay reviews and vacation rental demand, September 1, 2016-August 31, 2017 vs. September 1, 2017-August 31, 2018

[4] Per person per night cost based on a stay March 25-29, 2019.

[5] HomeAway vacation home demand for the 12-month period ending Aug. 31, 2018

[6] Internal HomeAway Data

About HomeAway

HomeAway, based in Austin, Texas, is a leading online marketplace for the vacation rental industry, with sites representing more than 2 million unique places to stay in 190 countries, and is a part of the Expedia Group family of brands.