Global Staycation Trends: A Comparative Analysis of Consumer Interest Across Time and Regions

Staycations (i.e., vacations close to one’s home) have surged in popularity recently, significantly impacting travel patterns and destination management. In line with Construal Level Theory, staycations uniquely satisfy the need for psychological distance while maintaining spatial proximity to home. This study uses Google Trends data to examine consumer search behavior related to staycations over 7 years from 2016 to 2022. Our analysis reveals a noticeable staycation interest increase, which began before the pandemic and grew exponentially during travel restrictions and lockdowns. A key finding is that staycation searches are highest in Asia, Europe, and the Americas, reflecting international travel patterns. However, staycation queries are a global phenomenon, with significant interest observed across multiple regions. As interest in staycations has surged, a new lexicon of search terms has emerged, offering insights into specific factors influencing consumer decision-making. Initially, the searches were more general, but they have become more targeted, focusing on travel products and services such as hotels, booking platforms, and discounts. This research uses a visualization-driven approach to analyze global, regional, and national staycation trends. The article concludes with implications for destination resilience, contributing to the growing literature on staycations.