:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/TAL-santiago-metropolitan-region-chile-GLBALWNTRDEST1025-e72804fb625a4e068619e222c5f15ad6.jpg "These are the most popular destinations for winter getaways, according to Airbnb")
The Olympic Games are turning winter wonderland into a competitive sport.
This is according to Airbnb, which said Travel + Leisure The upcoming Winter Olympics are generating an increase in bookings in Italy. The Olympic Games will begin on February 6, 2026, with an increase in short-term rentals for both the city of Milan and other regions hosting events such as Trentino-South Tyrol, Lombardy and Veneto.
In fact, Airbnb said Lombardy saw a triple-digit increase when it came to searches year over year. “This year, Italy takes the gold medal for international winter travel as excitement builds for the upcoming Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics,” Airbnb shared with T+L, adding, “The top countries leading interest in traveling to Italy during the Olympics are Germany, Canada, Italy (domestic travelers), Switzerland and the United States.”
In addition to the Olympic trend, which is detailed in Airbnb’s Winter and Vacation Travel Trends Report, the company said travelers are embracing the concept of “gateway travel,” or staying in cities considered gateways to natural landscapes.
The Australian Capital Territory was one of the top trending destinations globally, according to the company. Located southwest of Sydney, the region features the country’s capital, Canberra, access to national forests and lush rural properties.
Santiago, Chile and its surrounding areas was another trending destination thanks to the stunning Andes Mountains, an eclectic art scene and more.
Travelers were also expected to flock to T+L’s 2025 Destination of the Year, Thailand. There, the coastal town of Prachuap Khiri Khan was another hot destination, home to coral reefs and stunning beaches. Other trending destinations were Goslar, Germany; San José, Costa Rica; the state of Goiás, Brazil; and Córdoba, Colombia.
In the United States, the city of Champion, Pennsylvania, was the top trending destination. Located about an hour from Pittsburgh, Airbnb called the city a “true winter wonderland offering all types of snow sports, local hospitality, and a cozy mountain atmosphere.” This was followed by St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana; St. Louis Bay, Mississippi; Hermosa Beach, California; and Dover, Vermont, round out the top five.
Overall, Airbnb said American travelers are divided between cold-weather vacations and warm getaways. And when it comes to families, 80 percent choose rural trips and suburban towns over resorts or major cities. They are also choosing longer stays, with nearly a third of families planning to travel for a week or more, according to the company.
