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To get your full statistics fix with data from STR, Key Data, and the Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport, check out the Monthly Tourism Destination Data Dashboard at sonomacounty.com/partners/statistics/.

Today's Takeaways

From SCT's Research and Data Systems Manager, Allie Nordby anordby@sonomacounty.com

Sonoma County continued to see positive momentum carrying into August. As families transitioned back to school and the peak summer travel period began to wind down, August was seasonally softer than June and July, but performance remained positive compared with last year. Across hotels and short-term vacation rentals, August occupancy reached 3.8% year over year, while RevPAR increased 4.3% YOY. Short-term vacation rentals had an especially strong month, with occupancy up 4.6%, ADR up 8.0%, and RevPAR up 13.0% year over year. Hotel performance also remained positive, with occupancy reaching 71.0% and RevPAR increasing 1.3% year over year.



Nationally, travelers continue to prioritize travel despite growing concerns about affordability. According to the latest Longwoods International American Travel Sentiment study, 75% of American travelers believe travel is becoming too expensive, up from 64% a year ago. Even so, 81% say vacations are one of the things they look forward to most each year, and 55% are willing to reduce spending in other areas to help fund their trips. Additionally, 74% say the experiences they gain from travel are more important than acquiring material belongings, reinforcing the continued value travelers place on meaningful experiences.


The economic outlook reflects a similar mix of resilience and uncertainty. Tourism Economics expects travel demand to remain resilient despite slower economic growth, while travelers are placing greater emphasis on value for money. In the U.S., international arrivals have been running below expectations, creating an uneven environment across destinations even as domestic travelers continue to demonstrate a strong desire to travel.


For Sonoma County, the takeaway is encouraging but important: our summer performance shows that travelers continue to choose the destination even as affordability and value become increasingly important considerations nationally. Year to date through August, overall lodging occupancy was up 9.0% and RevPAR was up 7.6% compared with the same period last year. As travelers become more thoughtful about where they spend their travel dollars, these trends reinforce the importance of demonstrating value while highlighting the experiences that differentiate Sonoma County, from food, wine and agriculture to outdoor recreation, wellness and opportunities to connect with friends and family.


Sources: Longwoods International, Tourism Economics

Travel Trends


Hilton identifies fiver travel trends shaping 2027 demand, Hotel Management Online

Hilton's 2027 Trends Report highlights a shift toward personal growth, flexibility and more meaningful travel experiences. Travelers are increasingly prioritizing personalized experiences over the pursuit of a "perfect" trip, while shorter, more frequent getaways are providing greater flexibility in how and when people travel. The report also points to travel as a catalyst for self-discovery and a growing approach to wellness that combines technology with time spent in nature. Even as digital tools continue to evolve, travelers are placing value on human expertise and personal connection throughout the travel experience.


62 Types of Tourism: How Shifting Travel Motivations Are Reshaping The Industry, Forbes

Travel continues to become more specialized as travelers seek experiences that reflect their individual interests, values and motivations. More than 60 types of tourism have emerged across categories ranging from wellness and culinary travel to adventure, technology and lifestyle-focused experiences. This diversification reflects changing social values, new technologies and an increasing desire for personalized trips that align with different interests and stages of life. As travel motivations become more varied, destinations have new opportunities to connect with visitors through experiences tailored to specific passions and interests.


The New Travel Trend That’s All About Reliving Your Childhood, Vice News 

Travelers are showing growing interest in "throwback trips," revisiting destinations from their childhood or finally taking the kinds of adventures they dreamed about when they were younger. Rather than simply choosing destinations based on what's new or trending, these travelers are looking to recreate meaningful memories and reconnect with places that hold personal significance. Nostalgia can influence everything from the destinations travelers choose to the activities they seek once they arrive. The trend illustrates how emotional connections and personal memories are becoming another important motivation for travel.


New Research Shows Travelers Want Human Expertise, Despite Rise in AI Use, Travel Market Report

Travelers continue to value human expertise in trip planning even as artificial intelligence tools become more widely available. Nearly 80% of North American travelers surveyed by Explore Worldwide said they would rather book trips created by experts with firsthand destination experience. Respondents raised concerns about the accuracy, personalization and sometimes generic nature of AI-generated recommendations, with preferences for human expertise especially pronounced among older travelers. The findings suggest that firsthand knowledge and trusted recommendations remain important parts of the travel-planning process, even as travelers increasingly use technology for inspiration and research.


Airbnb Announces ‘Farm to Stay’ Grant Program to Promote Farmer-Led Tourism, Oklahoma Farm Report

Airbnb and American Farmland Trust have launched the Farm to Stay Grant Program, offering grants of up to $10,000 to help farmers and ranchers develop agritourism experiences. The initiative is designed to help agricultural operators diversify their income by welcoming overnight guests and creating experiences that connect travelers more closely with farms, ranches and rural communities. U.S. farm stays on Airbnb generated nearly $120 million in 2025, highlighting growing traveler interest in agricultural and rural tourism. The program reflects broader demand for immersive experiences that allow visitors to connect with local communities and gain a deeper understanding of the places they visit.


78% of Families Would Pay More for Accessible Travel, Travel Agent Central

Accessibility is becoming an increasingly important consideration for families planning multigenerational trips. According to Fora's inaugural accessible travel report, 55% of multigenerational families indicated a need for accessibility accommodations, while 78% said they are willing to spend more to ensure those needs are met. The report also found that 67% of travel advisors have booked trips for clients with accessibility requirements. For tourism businesses, these findings underscore the importance of considering accessibility throughout the visitor experience, from accommodations and transportation to activities and amenities, particularly as families increasingly travel together across generations.

STR Tracking for Sonoma County

Things to Note:

  • STR compares “Weekly Year Over Year”
  • Full county participation is approximately 51% of hotel properties and 79% of rooms
  • Total hotel supply rooms in Sonoma County as of August 2026: 8,191
  • The average from other destinations includes Napa, Palm Springs, Monterey, South Lake Tahoe, Vallejo/Napa Valley, and San Luis Obispo


STR is the recognized leader in hospitality industry benchmarking around the globe. Powered by the world's largest hotel data sample, they deliver confidential data, accurate and actionable insights, and comprehensive solutions to empower decisions. Discover how STR collects data, how it is calculated, and a glossary of terms by clicking here. 

Occupancy Data for Hotels & Short Term Lodgings

*Please note the charts below contain different date ranges.

 

Air Travel Year Over Year Trends

At Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport

Recent Travel By Month

At Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport

Total passenger enplanements and deplanements year-over-year

*Source STS: Sonoma County Airport

Total passenger enplanements and deplanements by month

*Source STS: Sonoma County Airport

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Sonoma County Tourism | SonomaCounty.com

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