Nextdoor for Business Blog

Neighbors are taking flight this summer [Insights from Nextdoor]

Written by Nextdoor Team | Apr 16, 2026 8:29:08 PM

Summer travel on Nextdoor: 2026 insights for advertisers

Summer travel is more than just a seasonal getaway for neighbors — it's a high-investment, high-frequency priority that dominates household planning. On Nextdoor, that focus is visible through an audience that doesn't just travel more, but travels "bigger," favoring premium experiences and multiple trips. 

New research from Nextdoor's April 2026 Summer Travel Insights Report reveals a neighbor population that is experience-driven, financially committed, and deeply reliant on community trust when making travel decisions. For travel brands, this represents an opportunity to reach the primary decision-makers who are actively allocating significant budgets for the season ahead. 

The high-value, high-frequency traveler

Neighbors are not occasional travelers; they represent a remarkably active segment of the market. In fact, 91% of neighbors plan to take a leisure trip this summer, making them 14% more likely to travel than the general population.

Nextdoor users are also traveling more often throughout the season:  

  • 28% of neighbors plan to take 4 or more trips this summer
  • Neighbors are 58% more likely than the general population to take 3 or more leisure trips this summer
  • Short trips of 4-6 days are the most popular (planned by 65%), though neighbors are 12% more likely than the general population to plan trips longer than a week 

Implication for advertisers: Maintain a sustained presence rather than a single campaign burst. Due to the fact that neighbors book multiple times during the summer season, a consistent presence creates more than one conversion opportunity per user across the season. 

Reaching the household decision-maker

On Nextdoor, brands reach the household's primary decision-maker rather than just the individual traveler. 77% of neighbors will be primary planners for their household's summer travel, 17% more likely than the general population. This allows messaging to reach the person actively allocating the budget and making the final purchase.

Summer travel is predominantly a household endeavor: 

  • 62% will travel with a partner or spouse

  • 33% will travel with children under 18

  • 32% are planning multi-generational trips with extended family     

Implication for advertisers: Design creative for the planner's mindset. Focus on family-friendly features like suites, kids' programming, and "best for families" framing that helps the primary planner feel confident in their choice for the whole group.

 

Neighbors rely on their local community 

In a travel landscape filled with aspirational content, neighbors turn to their community for reality-based advice. Neighbors trust their community 43% more than social media influencers for travel recommendations. 

  • 44% of neighbors trust their local community "a lot" for travel recommendations
  • Only 32% of neighbors place that same level of trust in social media influencers or online reviews
  • 90% of neighbors will rely on another neighbor when preparing for or taking a trip, from asking for local recommendations to home-sitting help  

Implication for advertisers: Incorporate social proof directly into your creative. Elements like "trusted by neighbors in your area" or review callouts mirror the peer trust dynamic that makes Nextdoor uniquely effective.  

High-intent meets premium spending

Neighbors represent one of the most valuable audiences available, with a planned summer travel budget of $7.4k per household — which is 87% more than the general population.

While the beach remains the top destination (planned by 54%), neighbors significantly over-index for premium, structured experiences:

      • 41% more likely to choose all-inclusive resorts
      • 33% more likely to choose cruises 
      • 24% more likely to choose theme parks 
      • 34% more likely to choose international flights

Implication for advertisers: For premium brands, the greater likelihood of neighbors to book structured, high-investment experiences validates Nextdoor as a primary acquisition channel. For the portion of neighbors looking for more affordable options, brands can utilize creative that focuses on travel deals and flexible booking options. 

The "splurge" is on the experience 

When it comes to luxury spending, neighbors prioritize the trip itself over the logistics. 

      • 38% are most likely to splurge on food and dining 
      • 31% prioritize splurging on experiences and activities 
      • Only 19% and 21% plan to splurge on accommodations and flights, respectively 

For some neighbors, their spending is focused on the moments leading up to their trip. In fact, 94% of neighbors will spend money in another category in preparation for their summer vacation. 57% of neighbors spend money on toiletries and travel essentials, 12% more than the general population, while 51% spend money on clothing and swimwear. 

Implication for advertisers: For airlines and hotels, lead with smart value and reliability rather than just aspirational imagery. For dining and experience brands, this is your primary acquisition window as neighbors actively allocate discretionary budget to your category. 

Summer travel advertising playbook: how to activate on Nextdoor

Bringing it all together, here’s how to turn these insights into action:

1. Maintain an always-on presence

Neighbors are high-frequency bookers planning multiple trips; a consistent presence ensures you capture more than one conversion opportunity throughout the season.

2. Speak to the planner, not just the traveler

Neighbors are the ones booking the flights and reserving the hotels as main household decision-makers. Creative should help them feel informed and confident with decision-ready messaging. 

 

3. Segment by mindset

With 45% of neighbors spending more this year, segment your campaigns with premium upsells for upgrade-seekers and value-reassurance for cost-conscious planners. 

4. Address practical booking factors

For flights and hotels, price and location are the top decision drivers, with 30% of neighbors opting for budget hotels and 57% of neighbors choosing flights at convenient times. Lead with specific, tangible advantages to move the persuadable majority. 

5. Capture pre-trip spending 

Since 94% of neighbors spend in adjacent categories before departing for their trip, brands that are in retail, vehicle management, luggage, or pet care, should leverage this by targeting neighbors during the "pre-departure" planning window.  

Source: Nextdoor Survey, US (04/2026)