For Holiday-Starved Australians, Airbnb Declares 2026 the Year of 'Weekending' (Weekend Getaways)
Three out of four working Australians don't take regular holidays, with nearly 90% finding it hard to take time off. Airbnb's new survey shows 80% of travelers prefer shorter, more relaxing trips, and 70% want to travel more spontaneously. To combat burnout and financial burdens, Airbnb is promoting 'Weekending' – short weekend getaways – as a solution for busy individuals and families to refresh and reconnect.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: March 31, 2026 at 19:06
- 🔍 Collected: April 1, 2026 at 13:39 (18h 33m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 17, 2026 at 06:31 (376h 51m after Collected)
Key Points
Three out of four working Australians do not take regular holidays, and approximately 90% reported finding it difficult to take time off from work regularly.
Approximately 80% of travelers feel that shorter trips are more relaxing and enjoyable than longer holidays.
Eight out of ten people responded that shorter trips allow them to refresh from daily busyness more quickly than longer trips.
*This is an abridged translation of "For holiday-starved Aussies, Airbnb Declares 2026 the Year of ‘Weekending’" published on February 8th, Australian time.
Australians love holidays, but the reality is that many spend their days without being able to take even short breaks, often unable to use up their paid leave due to packed schedules and financial burdens.
A new survey conducted by Airbnb (*1) revealed that three out of four (76%) working Australians do not take regular holidays, and nearly 90% find it difficult to take time off work. Without adequate rest and time to refresh, there is a concern about the risk of burnout. Therefore, Airbnb proposes "Weekending," which means short weekend trips.
*1 Unless otherwise specified, all figures are quoted from YouGov. The total sample size was 1,030 adults, and the fieldwork was conducted online from January 8 to 11, 2026. The figures are weighted to be representative of the entire adult population of Australia (aged 18 and over).
Short trips to fill Australia's holiday deficit
"Weekending" is about enjoying a small escape from daily life. It's about finishing work early on Friday, spontaneously heading out on a road trip, waking up in a new place on Saturday, and returning home truly refreshed on Sunday or Monday. In fact, its effectiveness is evident in survey results.
Approximately 80% of Australians feel that shorter trips are more relaxing and enjoyable than longer holidays.
Eight out of ten people responded that shorter trips allow them to refresh from daily busyness more quickly than longer trips.
Approximately 70% of Australian travelers want to travel more freely and spontaneously in the future, and weekend getaways can make this a reality.
Psychologist Sabina Read explains the background as follows:
"When people continue to live by repeating the same work and home cycle without taking regular breaks, 'time compression' occurs, making days feel like they pass in an instant, which affects mental and emotional health. Experiencing something new for two to four days reactivates the brain's memory-forming functions, increasing life satisfaction and fulfillment."
"Daily stress can also lead to burnout syndrome. While it may not always be possible to take extended time off work to completely disconnect, short trips offer an experience away from daily routines, which can lower the stress hormone cortisol and help avoid burnout. Regular short trips are important for long-term health maintenance."
Short trips are perfect for busy families too
For parents in particular, taking holidays is an even greater challenge. 85% of respondents feel that taking time off is hindered for various reasons, and over half cite cost as the biggest barrier to travel. Long holidays tend to be a significant mental and financial burden for parents. In this regard, "Weekending" could be a powerful solution. 80% of respondents said that shorter trips allow them to enjoy time with their travel companions more and feel a stronger connection.
"Even for a short period, traveling with loved ones can create more fulfilling memories. Spending face-to-face time with important people, combined with new experiences, deeply imprints memories and strengthens family bonds that last a lifetime," says Sabina.
Take a break from daily life, even for a short time, and watch your children thrive. Sabina further states: "Children develop confidence, resilience, and trust by seeing their parents relax and enjoy themselves away from their usual environment. Pack and cook with your children, and share what you're looking forward to with them. The experience and memories themselves will be the best souvenirs."
Given that approximately 70% of people want to travel more freely in the future, "Weekending" is a proposal to make the most of the usual weekends at hand, rather than waiting for the ideal time for a long trip. Furthermore, by adding one or two days before or after the weekend, unused paid leave can be gradually utilized.
You don't need to travel far to switch to off-mode
Truly escaping daily stress is much simpler than you think. 47% of working Australians reported that driving just two to three hours away is enough to clear their minds, indicating that short trips to nearby destinations can have the same restorative and healing effects as international travel. Regional cities and coastal towns also welcome weekend travelers, bringing economic benefits during off-peak seasons. Additionally, more people are extending their weekends with a few days of paid leave for short trips, which leads to welcome additional revenue for local businesses.
Susan Wheeldon, Airbnb's Country Manager for Australia, states: "Australians don't want travel to feel like a big chore. 'Weekending' is about making it easy to get away, even for just one or two nights. With less planning and pressure, you can spend more time refreshing, reconnecting with loved ones, and making lifelong memories."
"It's also a great way for those considering becoming hosts to help offset the costs of their own 'Weekending' trips. Moreover, with co-hosts, you can get support with listing management, allowing you more time to enjoy your own weekend getaways."
"Weekend travelers also bring new vitality to local communities. They fill cafes and bring vibrancy to markets throughout the year. This is a welcome benefit for local residents, and visitors can experience the unique charm of the area firsthand."
Airbnb has prepared guides summarizing the best "Weekending" regions and popular tourist spots in each state to help you plan your trips smoothly.
About Sabina Read
Sabina Read is a psychologist, speaker, announcer, and podcast host who describes herself as a "life sherpa." She provides support to organizations, leaders, groups, and individuals on how to approach change, stress, relationships, leadership, mental health, and well-being. She possesses a rare ability to combine evidence-based psychology with warmth, humor, and insights gained from the real world. In her own words, she ultimately helps people to "live better, more human lives."
She served as the resident psychologist for 14 years on Melbourne's highly-rated radio program "3AW Afternoons," and is also the co-host of the podcast "Human Cogs" and host of "The Separation Guide." Additionally, she serves as the resident psychologist for TMRW, an innovative medical platform that combines cutting-edge diagnostic technology, AI, and clinical expertise to transform complex information into clear insights.
Her activities are based on a strong commitment to social contribution, and she also serves as a board member for The Reach Foundation and a mentor for Mentor Walks.
"Weekending" Tips
New South Wales
Pokolbin
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Calarra
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Victoria
Warrnambool
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Inverloch
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Queensland
Maleny
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North Stradbroke Island
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South Australia
Tanunda
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Port Willunga
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Western Australia
Mandurah
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Tasmania
Penguin
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Bicheno
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