The Ultimate Guide to Attracting Local Guests to Your Airbnb or STR

Marifil Limpahan
1 day ago
4 min read

How to Attract Domestic Travelers to Your Airbnb (and Keep Them Coming Back)

If you’ve been hosting on Airbnb for any length of time, you’ve probably noticed a big shift: local travel is booming.

With international travel still feeling out of reach for many, more guests are trading long-haul flights for weekend getaways, road trips, and staycations. That means one thing for short-term rental hosts: opportunity.

At BNB Guardians, we’ve helped new and seasoned hosts tap into this trend using smart Airbnb strategy, local partnerships, and Airbnb optimization techniques—all with one clear goal: attracting local guests to your Airbnb and turning them into loyal, repeat bookers.

Whether you're running your first unit or trying to fill midweek gaps, this guide will help you stand out and get booked without cutting your prices to the bone.

Who Are Domestic Travelers (and What Do They Really Want)?

Domestic guests aren’t all alike, but they tend to share a few key traits. When you understand what they’re really looking for, you can tailor your Airbnb listing, guest communication, and marketing strategy to meet them where they are.

Here’s what matters to most local travelers:

Budget-friendly options – They’re skipping international airfare, but they still want value.
Quick getaways – Think weekend trips, not week-long vacations.
Easy access – Places within driving distance or near public transportation are ideal.
Local flavor – They want to explore their own backyard in a fresh way.
Safe and clean stays – Especially in a post-pandemic world, cleanliness and contactless check-in are a must.

Why Local Travel Is On the Rise (And How Hosts Can Win)

The pandemic changed how people travel, but it also opened the door for Airbnb hosts to rethink how they position their listings.

Here’s what’s driving the surge in domestic bookings:

Cost Savings

Guests are skipping airport hassles and travel insurance and looking for deals closer to home. Make sure your Airbnb pricing reflects the value you offer—don’t race to the bottom, but consider flexible discounts for longer stays or weekday bookings.

Convenience

Many guests are planning last-minute trips. Highlight how easy it is to reach your place, park nearby, or hop on transit.

Environmental Impact

Travelers are becoming more eco-conscious. If you offer sustainable features—like recycling, solar panels, or eco-friendly toiletries—mention them in your Airbnb listing description and photos.

Flexibility

No visas, no passports, no stress. Cater to spontaneous travelers by enabling instant book, offering flexible cancellation policies, and responding quickly to messages.

We teach all of this inside the Airbnb Super Host Academy, our step-by-step program for turning short-term rentals into long-term income—even if you’re starting from scratch.

Local Airbnb Strategy: Highlight What Makes Your Area Special

When you focus on domestic guests, your local knowledge becomes your biggest advantage.

You don’t need a tourist hot spot—you need to create experiences.

Here’s how:

Partner with Local Businesses

Build relationships with nearby restaurants, coffee shops, tour guides, yoga studios, or event venues. You can:

Offer exclusive discounts or promo codes to your guests
Bundle local services into upsell packages
Refer your guests in exchange for free meals or exposure

These kinds of partnerships enhance the guest experience and support your community—something many local travelers appreciate.

Create Personalized Itineraries: Attracting Local Guests to Your Airbnb

Think beyond brochures. Curate 1-2 day sample itineraries based on common guest profiles—like:

“Date Night in Old Town”
“Family Adventure Weekend”
“Dog-Friendly Hikes and Bites”

Share Hidden Gems and Insider Tips

Highlight your favorite spots: a quiet overlook, a bakery with the best croissants, or a secret mural wall perfect for photos. Include these in your house manual, welcome message, or follow-up emails.

Pro tip: guests love local recommendations that feel personal. It builds trust, and leads to 5-star reviews.

Make Sure Local Travelers Can Find You: Airbnb SEO + Marketing Tips

Even if you have the perfect property and a great location, it won’t matter unless guests can see you. That’s where Airbnb SEO and smart marketing come in.

Optimize Your Listing for Local Search

Use local keywords in your Airbnb listing title and description, like:

“Cozy Alexandria Flat Near Metro”
“Dog-Friendly Cabin 2 Hours from DC”

These keywords help you show up when guests search for nearby stays.

Make sure to also:

Use high-quality, well-lit photos that highlight your space and surroundings
Include clear descriptions of amenities and location perks
Add alt text and descriptive file names to any website photos, if you have a direct booking site

Need help with Airbnb SEO? We dive deep into this inside our coaching community.

Promote Your Airbnb on Social Media

Use platforms like Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok to share:

Local event announcements
Behind-the-scenes videos of your space
Guest testimonials or before/after stories

Make sure your contact info and booking link are front and center, and use geotags so locals can discover you!

Encourage Guest Reviews That Mention the Area

After checkout, send a friendly message thanking them and asking if they’d be open to leaving a review that mentions what they loved about your location.

These keywords matter, not just to future guests, but to Airbnb’s algorithm.

Final Thoughts: Turn Local Guests Into Loyal Fans

If you're looking for a consistent stream of bookings, start by mastering the local travel game. Domestic travelers are easier to attract, cheaper to acquire, and more likely to return.

But you need the right Airbnb strategy, strong operations, and effective Airbnb marketing to make it work.

At BNB Guardians, we’ve helped hosts go from zero to fully booked by dialing in their Airbnb listing creation, Airbnb guest communication, and pricing strategy—without burning out or hiring a huge team.