Home and Away
It’s sport – and not sun, sea and sand – that Irish holidaymakers are looking for this summer as our top searches are revealed
FORGET about sun, sea and sand; the top priority for Irish holidaymakers searching for self-catering accommodation this summer appears to be sporting events.
Airbnb has revealed its 2024 top summer trends for leisure travellers from Ireland, and the statistics make for some surprising reading.
The Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the European Football Championships in Germany top the leaderboard when it comes to the number of searches.
Paris is the most searched destination, with Irish guests set to take advantage of the short journey to the French capital, which is just an 80-minute plane ride away and is also easily accessible by ferry.
Searches in the Paris area for the Olympics have increased 11 times on figures for the same locations last year.
And the interest extends beyond the capital, with trending French cities such as Lille, which is hosting basketball and handball tournaments, Versailles (equestrian) and Lyon (soccer), capturing the attention of Irish and travellers from around the globe.
Soccer fans are also gearing up for a busy sporting summer.
Despite Ireland failing to qualify, there’s big interest in travelling to the Euros, with Berlin showing as a top searched destination for Irish guests.
Alongside the Euros, people are also looking at London in June, when the Wimbledon tennis championship takes place, while Formula One fans have also been checking out Barcelona for the Spanish Grand Prix on June 23.
For those opting for staycations, coastal destinations are, unsurprisingly, the top choice.
But it’s not the hyped Wild Atlantic Way which tops the search; that accolade goes to Wexford, a traditional stamping ground for Dubs on holidays, a short journey down the east coast from the capital.
Letterfrack in Connemara is the number two most searched destination in Ireland by Irish staycationers, followed by beach and surf destinations such as Doolin in Co. Clare, Strandhill in Co. Sligo and Ventry in Co. Kerry.
Dunfanaghy in Co. Donegal and Ballina in Mayo, perhaps boosted by the publicity from American President Joe Biden’s visit there last year, also feature in the top 10.
Irish guests are also seeking ‘immersive stays’ where holidaymakers interact with their hosts, joining them for meals or activities.
It may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but searches in this category increased by 180% among Irish holidaymakers looking for outdoor activities.
Houses in Ballina and Kinsale which offer these experiences feature on the top 10 wish-list.
For sun holidays, the top searches are in Portugal, where Cascais and Lisbon are the most popular locations, while Gothenburg in Sweden is an unusual entry in the top 10 searches for summer city breaks.
The results of the Airbnb Irish Travel Trends for 2024, which were released to the Irish Mail on Sunday this weekend, show people are also looking for alternatives to the usual tourist hot spots in Spain, with the towns of Tarragona and Torrevieja making the top 10 searched sun locations.
The report’s ‘Immersive Play’ category includes play-centred amenities and child-friendly themes with amenities such as basketball courts, game rooms, miniature golf and water slides.
On the top 10 wish-list in this category are an action-oriented stay in a five-bed villa in Wexford and a five bedroomed house with hot tub near Rathmullan beach in Donegal Airbnb says having more space to be outside is a priority for Irish families, with searches for outdoor amenities like pools and BBQs increasing by 18.5% for family travel.
Just over two thirds (68%) of Irish tourists cite amenities such as kitchens, workspaces, and backyards as being important when booking.
For guests who need a bit of help finding the cream of the crop, Airbnb has launched a new category, Guest Favourites, a collection of the two million most-loved homes on the site based on ratings, reviews, and reliability.
Commenting on the latest travel trends, Airbnb general manager for northern Europe Amanda Cupples said the summer of 2024 is going to be one of its busiest ever with Irish tourists.
She told the MoS: ‘It’s shaping up to be an exciting one with sports fever, playful stays, and outdoor activities leading the charge in Ireland’s top travel trends.’
And it’s not just self-catering tourists who are looking to spread their wings and try new things.
Sunway Travel which organises package tours from airports around Ireland said ‘more unusual destinations’ are being added this year. Chief executive Mary Denton told the MoS: ‘There is more choice now for travellers and we’re seeing an increase in less known resorts like Halkidiki in Greece – where traditionally visitors would have gone to Crete and Rhodes, now they are opting for places like Halkidiki.
‘We are also seeing people booking Trieste in Italy instead of busier cities like Venice.
‘This year there are more flights to Antalya in Turkey– it’s good value too. It’s part of the turquoise coast – lots of white, sandy beaches bordering the turquoise Mediterranean Sea.
‘Dalaman is also increasing in popularity – it’s a new flight for summer 2024 and going out twice a week. It’s really great value too. Morocco is really appealing to families too – its great value, great beaches, lovely weather.’
An Aer Lingus travel survey released earlier this year found lounging at the beach (55%) and city exploration (53%) top the list of most anticipated activities for 2024 travel.
This year travellers from Ireland are showing a strong preference for spontaneity.
A majority, 57% say they favour self-guided and impromptu experiences, as opposed to just 13% who prefer guided tours and structured activities. Just under a third (31%) say they enjoy a blend of both holiday styles.
‘There’s big interest in travelling to the Euros’