As Filipinos welcome the much-anticipated start of the “ber-months,” new Airbnb data shows young travelers are moving first this season, reflecting a growing appetite for domestic getaways.
Photos: Aqua Planet & Tourism Davao/Website
Gen Z domestic search interest increased by close to 25% for stays with check-ins from September to November 2026 compared with the same period in 2025, pointing to strong interest among younger travelers in exploring the Philippines.
Pampanga and Davao recorded the strongest increase in Gen Z search interest at almost 50% each, followed by Metro Manila, Baguio, and Tagaytay, which each saw an increase of nearly 40%.
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“For young Filipinos, the ber-months can be a time to make plans, get together, and find reasons to explore, often without having to travel far from home,” said Amanpreet Bajaj, Airbnb’s country head for Southeast Asia and India. “What we’re seeing is a growing appetite among Gen Z for domestic getaways, with familiar destinations gaining renewed interest alongside places that offer something new to discover. As the season begins, Airbnb continues to offer travelers the flexibility to find stays that fit the way they want to travel.”
Gen Z is getting a head start on the ber-month getaway
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For Gen Z travelers, the ber-months bring more opportunities to explore familiar Philippine destinations in new ways.
Pampanga saw the strongest increase in Gen Z domestic search interest, offering a mix of food, culture, and countryside experiences, while Davao City provides opportunities to discover local cuisine, nature, and culture. Baguio and Metro Manila also saw strong increases, offering everything from cool-weather escapes to city breaks closer to home.
These growing destinations also offer stays suited to the way young Filipinos want to explore—whether it’s a weekend with friends, a spontaneous local getaway, or a longer trip with a bigger group.
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In Pampanga, larger groups can stay at places like Mula Cabins, which accommodates groups of 12 or more. Meanwhile, Metro Manila offers convenient city stays such as Your Home in Quezon City, while Baguio has spacious options like Baguio HillHouse for those looking for a cooler change of scenery.
Families are also looking to get away
The appetite for domestic travel extends beyond Gen Z, with domestic search interest among family travelers increasing by approximately 10% for stays with check-ins from September to November 2026 compared with the same period in 2025.
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Pampanga recorded the strongest increase in family search interest at over 40%, followed by Metro Manila and Tagaytay (+20% each) and Baguio (+10%).
For Filipino families, the ber-months are a time to start planning gatherings, reunions, and quality time together. The growing interest in destinations such as Pampanga, Metro Manila, Tagaytay, and Baguio offers families different ways to connect, whether through a quick escape close to home or a longer domestic getaway.
And some are looking beyond the usual
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The appetite to explore also extends to rural destinations as Filipinos look beyond familiar favorites for a change of scenery.
Overall domestic rural search interest has increased, with Papaya in Nasugbu seeing an over 60% increase in searches, while General Luna saw an over 10% increase.
These emerging destinations offer another way for Filipinos to start the ber-months, whether through a quieter family escape, a weekend with friends, or simply a chance to discover somewhere new.
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Together, the trends offer an early glimpse into how Filipinos are kicking off the ber-months: with young travelers leading the way, families also looking to get away, and more Filipinos exploring both familiar favorites and under-the-radar local destinations.
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