Ber-Month spaces escape starts early for Gen Z
The ber-months are often when calendars start filling up with reunions, celebrations and long-overdue time together.
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The ber-months are often when calendars start filling up with reunions, celebrations and long-overdue time together.
Enjoy clean cold mountain air, sweet smell of pine trees and amazing sight of fog at Baguio Hillhouse.
For many Filipinos, the arrival of September signals the unofficial start of the holiday season. And this year, it seems Gen Z is wasting no time getting into the spirit of the ber-months — with plans to explore more of the Philippines already taking shape.
New Airbnb data shows that Gen Z domestic search interest increased by close to 25 percent 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 discovering destinations closer to home as the season begins.
Pampanga and Davao recorded the strongest increase in Gen Z search interest at almost 50 percent each, followed by Metro Manila, Baguio, and Tagaytay, which each saw an almost 40 percent increase.
“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. 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,” said Amanpreet Bajaj, Airbnb’s Country Head for Southeast Asia and India.
Gen Z is already planning its ber-month stays
For Gen Z, the ber-months are shaping up to be less about waiting for the holidays and more about making the most of the season from the very beginning. Whether that means a spontaneous weekend with friends, a food trip, a change of scenery or a quick escape from the city, familiar destinations are getting a fresh look.
Pampanga saw the strongest increase in Gen Z domestic search interest, offering an easy mix of food, culture and countryside experiences. In Davao City, travelers can discover a different side of the Philippines through its food, nature and local culture. Meanwhile, Baguio and Metro Manila continue to draw young travelers looking for everything from cool-weather escapes to city breaks closer to home.
The stays themselves are also evolving with the way young Filipinos travel. For bigger groups heading to Pampanga, stays such as Mula Cabins can accommodate groups of 12 or more. In Metro Manila, Your Home in Quezon City offers a convenient city base, while Baguio HillHouse gives travelers a more spacious option for a cooler change of scenery.
Families are making plans, too
The urge to get away isn’t limited to younger travelers. Domestic search interest among family travelers increased by approximately 10% for stays with check-ins from September to November 2026 compared with the same period in 2025.
Pampanga recorded the strongest increase in family search interest at over 40 percent, followed by Metro Manila and Tagaytay at 20 percent each and Baguio at 10 percent.
For Filipino families, the ber-months are often when calendars start filling up with reunions, celebrations and long-overdue time together. The growing interest in Pampanga, Metro Manila, Tagaytay and Baguio suggests that family getaways can take many forms — from a quick weekend close to home to a longer trip that brings everyone together.
Little more off the beaten path
While perennial favorites continue to attract travelers, some Filipinos are also looking beyond the usual destinations in search of quieter surroundings and something new to experience.
Overall domestic rural search interest has increased, with Papaya in Nasugbu seeing an over 60 percent increase in searches, while General Luna saw an over 10 percent increase.
These emerging destinations offer another way to ease into the ber-month season — whether that’s a peaceful family escape, a weekend away with friends or simply an excuse to discover somewhere that isn’t already on the usual itinerary.
