Snowbirding Gets a Glow Up: Vrbo Reports Gen Z is ‘Glowbirding’ to Improve Their Mental Health

September marks a key time for snowbirds to book their vacation rentals, and Vrbo is forecasting a rise in ‘Glowbirding’ — a wellness-focused twist led by Gen Z travelers on the traditional snowbird lifestyle. Social media trends, particularly on TikTok, reveal how younger generations are embracing the idea of escaping the cold, not just for a change of scenery, but as a way to prioritize mental health and wellness. New data from Vrbo uncovers when and where these ‘glowbirds’ are migrating. 

According to Vrbo, 60% of long-term stays on the app take place in January and February,1 so now is the time to secure a rental before availability dwindles. Gen Z travelers are joining retirees in popular snowbird destinations like Phoenix and Florida beaches, but they’re also embracing new destinations such as Palm Springs and The Algarve in Portugal. 

 “My generation values experiences, and we’re all about mental wellness. Escaping the cold isn’t just about finding warmer weather — it’s been key in managing my seasonal depression,” says Gabby Beckford, Gen Z content creator behind @PacksLight and self-described ‘Glowbird.’ “Plus, being in places where I can stay active outdoors all year round keeps me physically fit and mentally sharp. Snowbirding isn’t just a travel strategy for me; it’s a comprehensive approach to a healthier, happier lifestyle.” 

Where the flock is headed 

According to Vrbo, ‘glowbird’ season starts in January, just after the holiday season rush and lasts through most of March, just before spring break crowds rush in and prices ramp up. This is when Vrbo sees the greatest demand for monthlong stays. Midwesterners are leading the trend: Travelers from Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois and Ohio account for half of the long-term bookings during this period.1 Vrbo reveals popular and emerging destinations to ‘glowbird’ and snowbird this winter are:2  

  1. Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona 
  1. Palm Springs, California 
  1. Hilton Head, South Carolina  
  1. Tucson, Arizona 
  1. Faro District (The Algarve), Portugal  

Unlike the traditional snowbirds who favor Florida beaches, Beckford and fellow ‘glowbirds’ are keen to switch it up every winter and visit unexpected places like Guatemala, Dubai and Belize. 

Gen Z and snowbirds alike are flying solo 

While Vrbo is known for its selection of spacious private vacation homes for groups and families, 80% of monthly stays during the winter are made for only one or two travelers.1 But birds of a feather flock together, and “glowbirds” seek community even when solo traveling. Beckford explains when pinpointing a destination, “I think traveling solo allows me to connect more meaningfully with each destination because I’m incentivized to meet new people along the way. I look for spots that are welcoming and safe, which usually means an inviting culture with a lot of diversity and other people my age.” 

Money-saving perks for ‘glowbirds’ 

Beckford also finds comfort and cost savings when booking a vacation rental for her ‘glowbird’ stays: “I like the normalcy of cooking for myself, having a work area, doing laundry, etc. Even potentially inviting new friends over for a meal or to hang out to help me build that community. I’ve also found it to be more cost effective, as traveling off-season means I get to live it up in warm places that are usually way too pricey during peak times.”  

Plus, hundreds of thousands of vacation homes on the Vrbo app offer discounts for weeklong or monthlong stays, and snowbirds save an average of 18% on select vacation homes with discounts for monthlong stays. Travelers can easily find homes like these by selecting the “Monthly discount” search filter on the app:3  

Vrbo is the only major vacation rental brand to have a rewards program, One Key™, so snowbirds can earn OneKeyCash™ from their long winter stay and use it for their next eligible Vrbo, Expedia and Hotels.com booking.4 


1Based on analysis for 28+ night stays made in 2023 for travel dates January—March 2024 on Vrbo 

2Based on analysis of 28+ night stays made in 2024 for travel dates January—March 2025 on Vrbo 

3Availability and rates as of Sept. 16, 2024, on Vrbo 

4OneKeyCash is not redeemable for cash and can only be used on Expedia, Hotels.com and Vrbo

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