Key Takeaways

  • A 576-person Greek survey found both Gen Z and Millennials preferred Airbnb over hotels post-COVID.
  • Safety, ease of booking, and home amenities drove preference across both generational cohorts.
  • Younger traveler demand for short-term rentals in Greece has not structurally reversed post-pandemic.

Airbnb remains the preferred choice for many younger travelers in Greece, even after COVID-19 reshaped the travel market.

A new study surveyed 576 Greek Gen Z and Millennial travelers and found both age groups still leaned toward Airbnb over traditional hotels in the post-pandemic period, according to “MPDI.”

The reasons were practical, too.

Travelers pointed to safety, easy booking and access to home-style amenities as key factors behind their modern preference.

“Post-millennials prefer to take their holidays to different destinations, and they feel happier if their destinations contain activities and experiences,” the study stated. “Both generations book their holidays online and are more social and more likely to connect with the local people. In addition, they mainly book private accommodation rather than hotels and hostels.”

For short-term rental operators, the study reinforces a simple point — younger guests are not just booking Airbnbs for price. They want flexibility, comfort, and the feeling of having more control over the stay. This is all good news for STR owners, and it doesn’t look like it’s going to change anytime soon.

What the Airbnb preference gap means for STR operators in Europe

The generational split, while present, did not overturn the core finding.

Neither cohort swung back toward traditional hotels at scale.

Included in the study, 444 participants were Generation Z, while 132 were Generation Y.

Related: Tourism policy proposal splits hotels and STR sector

Greece has faced mounting political pressure over housing costs tied to short-term rentals, yet traveler demand, particularly among younger cohorts, shows no structural retreat from the platform.

With Gen Z travelers representing a growing share of Greek tourism arrivals, operators who align their amenity mix and pricing to the safety-and-convenience priorities this study identifies will be best positioned heading into the peak Mediterranean season.