Vacasa: Advance bookings, longer stays on the rise this year

Labor Day is fast approaching, with many Americans looking to pack up for the long weekend and soak up the final days of summer. But, as travelers aim to squeeze in one last trip, destinations are filling up fast. Trend data from Vacasa, a North American vacation rental management platform, shows that not only are guests booking their stays further in advance this year, but longer stays are also on the rise—reservations for four or more nights over the 2021 holiday are pacing up compared to 2019.

So, where are the most sought-after spots? Scoring a water view and beach access seem to be main draws for Labor Day weekend, with the Outer Banks, NC; Lake Anna, VA; Bethany Beach, DE; and Myrtle Beach, SC, topping the list for this year’s most booked Vacasa destinations.

To help travelers seeking a less crowded locale, Vacasa rounded up its “best bet” destinations that still have vacation rental availability for a holiday stay. Plus, all four regions are accessible by car from major metro areas and perfect for a long weekend enjoying the great outdoors—two features the CDC recommends for safer travel. These mountain, beach and desert vacation destinations are available for last-minute Labor Day trips:

  • Coachella Valley, CA
  • Summit County, CO
  • Western North Carolina
  • Texas Gulf Coast