Booking.com Proclaims: It's Always Summer In The South For Travelers Looking to Extend the Sunshine Season

New York, NY - August 16, 2021 – Booking.com, the global travel leader making it easier for everyone to experience the world, knows that over the course of the past 18 months, Americans have collectively missed milestones, moments together, and major trips planned, including: beloved summer vacations. With only a few weeks left of summer in the U.S., Booking.com is extending the season - proclaiming “it's always summer down South” - by offering one lucky booker an “Endless Summer Stay” at a vacation home in the Sunshine State for just $20, as well as up to 20% back in Travel Credits at vacation rentals nationwide for American travelers. 

Where are Americans most interested in having an "endless summer" well after Labor Day? Florida is the top searched state by American travelers for late summer trips and getaways well into the fall season** and, in keeping with consumer sentiment, Booking.com is offering one lucky traveler the chance to book an incredible vacation rental in the Florida Keys for just $20 for a weeklong stay. The epic property, dubbed “Villa of the Setting Sun,” professionally managed by Vacasa, boasts 4 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, large kitchen with a wine fridge, game room complete with a pool table and a wet bar, not to mention a wraparound balcony with views of a picturesque pool and private beach.

This “Endless Summer Stay” will open for a one-time booking on National Beach Day, August 30, 2021, at 12:00 PM ET for $20 on a first-come-first-served basis, for a weeklong stay, September 30, 2021 - October 6, 2021. The experience will also include activities courtesy of Booking.com, including a private chef on the first and last night of the stay, cocktail session with a mixologist, in-house spa services, and a water aerobics class, as well as special amenities such as yard games, pool floaties, an ultimate “travel selfie space,” and more. All guests need to do is relax in a hammock, take a swim in the pool, launch a kayak or paddleboard at high tide and enjoy the fact that it’s “always summer in the South.”

If travelers miss out on the “Endless Summer Stay,” Booking.com still has them covered. With almost half (45%)* of Americans preferring to stay in a vacation home or apartment when traveling, the global travel leader is making it easier to extend summer vacations by offering 20% back in Travel Credits, up to $150, for Americans who book a vacation rental nationwide. Bookings must be made between August 16, 2021 - September 12, 2021 at valid property types - Holiday Homes, Apartments, Aparthotels, Villas, Chalets - using promo code RENTAL20 for check-in dates before December 31, 2021. A Booking.com account is required to receive the Travel Credits, which can be applied towards a future stay at select properties for 12 months after being issued.

Eric Bergaglia, the global head of Booking.com’s homes and apartments business, commented: “our data shows that as we get back to travel, 75%* of Americans are looking forward to meeting up with family and friends after so much time apart, making a vacation rental the ideal type of property to reconnect with plenty of space and amenities.” Bergaglia continued: “with the 20% Travel Credits and our $20 ‘Endless Summer Stay,’ we aim to bring Americans together and make it easier to make up for lost time with loved ones.”

No matter travelers' summer vacation style, Booking.com has something for everyone. With vacation rentals that are instantly bookable with no extra fees ranging from beach houses to mountain cabins, city apartments to homes nestled in nature, and everything in between, Booking.com has options to suit every traveler's budget—from affordable to luxury. With amenities that only a vacation rental can offer, whether more space, modern kitchens, spacious backyard, private pools and more, the privacy of having an entire place to yourself is a great option for anything from a family vacation to a romantic getaway to a group friend trip. 

For travelers looking for longer stays at vacation rental properties, Booking.com recently launched extended stays beyond 30-nights in the U.S., with special rates both weekly and monthly. Booking.com is committed to continuously enhancing vacation rental offerings for consumers, with the option for guests to book and stay up to 45-nights implemented this past July, making it easier for travelers to find the perfect place for a longer stay.

For more information on Booking.com’s “Endless Summer Stay,” the 20% Travel Credits offer and inspiration on where to have an endless summer in the South at top vacation rental properties, visit: Booking.com/endless-summer-homes. 

METHODOLOGY

*Research commissioned by Booking.com and conducted among a sample of adults who are planning to travel in the next 12 months. In total 28,042 respondents across 28 countries and territories were polled (including 1003 from Argentina, 1002 from Australia, 1000 from Brazil, 1001 from Canada, 1000 from China, 1002 from Colombia, 1001 from Croatia, 1003 from Denmark, 1002 from France, 1005 from Germany, 1004 from Hong Kong, 1000 from India, 1002 from Israel, 1000 from Italy, 1000 from Japan, 1002 from Mexico, 1000 from Netherlands, 1000 from New Zealand, 1003 from Russia, 1000 from Singapore, 1003 from South Korea, 1005 from Spain, 1001 from Sweden, 1000 from Taiwan, 1003 from Thailand, 1000 from UK, 1000 from USA and 1000 from Vietnam). Respondents completed an online survey in January 2021.

**Top searched state based on searches by American travelers during the month of July (as of July 27th). The time between search and check in date had to be between 29 and 90 days to qualify as a "late summer search".