‘Cornwall’s more popular than London’

THE way we think about travel, holidays and accommodation is changing as societies adjust to the pandemic, says Airbnb chief executive, Brian Chesky.

“Everyone is going to live a bit differently because they have more flexibility and are less anchored to the city.”

People are choosing longer lets in large houses, often in rural areas, argues Airbnb.

“Rural nights booked in the UK used to be a quarter of our bookings, they’re now half,” Mr Chesky said in an interview with the BBC.

Cornwall is the country’s most-booked summer location in 2021, a title previously held by London.

Globally, domestic bookings went up from 50% in January 2020 to 80% in 2021, according to Airbnb’s newly released report, Travel & Living, May 2021.

Another long-term change is becoming evident, according to Mr Chesky. He believes people are increasingly using Airbnb for remote working opportunities, rather than just holidays. They crave a change of scene, perhaps, rather than just a short, sharp break from the nine-to-five.

With more companies adopting flexible work policies, he thinks, it will become common for families to relocate for holiday periods, subsidising it by renting their own home.

He also thinks three-day weekend breaks will become more popular, with all these factors underwriting “a travel rebound”.