Gen Z travelers drive nearly half of searches for Miami during Art Basel Miami Beach

Key Takeaways

• Art Basel and Airbnb continue their multi-year global partnership at Art Basel Miami Beach, building on a first year that connected travelers with the artists and tastemakers shaping the art world, and continuing the $1.2M Artist Travel Grant Program for emerging artists and galleries.
  
  
• Searches for stays during Art Basel Miami Beach are up nearly 20% year over year, and Gen Z travelers account for almost half of them.
  
  
• Two Experiences are bookable on Airbnb starting Tuesday, November 10, each offering early access: a first look at Public Art Fund’s exhibit and a pre-opening tour of the fair with Art Basel Miami Beach Director Bridget Finn.
  
  

Art Basel and Airbnb are bringing their global partnership back to Art Basel Miami Beach this December, continuing to connect travelers with the artists and tastemakers shaping the art world. Demand for the fair keeps growing, with searches for Miami stays during Art Basel weekend up nearly 20 percent from last year.¹

Two Experiences are bookable on Airbnb starting Tuesday, November 10, at 10:00 AM ET / 7:00 AM PT, each giving guests early access: a curator-led first look at Public Art Fund’s new exhibit ahead of the fair, and a director’s preview of Art Basel Miami Beach with Bridget Finn before the doors open to the public.

1 instance: Monday, November 30

Guests kick off Art Basel Miami Beach with a first look at “Between Tides,” Public Art Fund’s new exhibition in Collins Park, before the crowds arrive. Hosted by Public Art Fund, the experience starts with an insider tour led by curator Gabriela López Dena, featuring six artist-designed ping-pong tables reimagined as playable sculptures. The artists will share how the works came to life, then guests will get a chance to try out the six unique tables in a series of friendly matches. Afterward, guests can stay to cheer on curators, collectors, and cultural figures as they face off in the Paddle in the Park Classic, a public tournament marking the exhibition’s opening.

2 instances: Friday, December 4 and Sunday, December 6

Ahead of the fair’s public opening, guests will join Art Basel Miami Beach Director Bridget Finn for a private tour of the fair. Finn will walk guests through standout booths, sharing the stories and techniques behind works that range from oil painting to cutting-edge digital art, along with the inside scoop on the galleries and vision that shaped this year’s edition of the fair. The experience ends with a champagne toast at Ruinart Plaza as the doors open. Guests can then keep exploring at their own pace with an included one-day general admission pass.

Inside the fair, Airbnb Luxe is debuting a space in the Collectors Lounge, created by designer and Airbnb Luxe Host Athena Calderone. From December 2–6, VIP ticket holders can experience the elevated hospitality of Airbnb Luxe in a one-of-a-kind setting, with curated, interactive moments throughout.

Searches for Miami stays during Art Basel weekend are up nearly 20 percent from last year, and Gen Z travelers account for almost half of them.² It’s a sign that a new generation is planning trips around art, culture, and one-of-a-kind experiences. That demand also supports the local community. During Art Basel Miami Beach 2025, hosts on Airbnb welcomed guests from around the world, with the typical host earning around $900.³

To champion the arts on a global scale, Airbnb is continuing its $1.2 million Artist Travel Grant Program, developed in collaboration with Art Basel and announced in September 2025. The program supports travel for emerging artists and galleries. Each Art Basel fair director nominates potential recipients, highlighting new exhibitors, ambitious practices, and pioneering voices that shape cultural discourse across the arts and beyond. This year alone, 200 exhibiting artists have each received a $2,000 Airbnb travel credit.

For travelers heading to the fair, hosts on Airbnb provide opportunities for guests to experience authentic Miami, offering design-forward stays and experiences across the city: Miami Jungle Retreat: Luxury Wellness Oasis (Miami, FL), Bayfront Escape Poolside Luxury Villa with Sunset (North Bay Village, FL), Immaculate Spacious 3/2 in the Heart of Miami, FL (Miami, FL), Private Oasis: Pool, Spa, & Outdoor Kitchen (Miami, FL), Two-Person Private Oasis, Francisca’s Place (Miami Springs, FL), “Casa Mia’s” 1-Bedroom Bungalow with Pool & BBQ (Miami FL), Peacock Boho Chic Retreat (South Miami, FL), The Original Little Havana Food and Culture Tour, Tour Miami’s Design District with an Insider, Miami Perfume Making Experience Workshop 90 Minute, Experience the Art of Cigar Making in Miami.

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Read more about: Destinations, Experiences, News, Partnerships

¹ Based on Airbnb internal data of Q3 2026 global searches for December 4 – December 7, 2026 checkins vs. Q3 2025 global searches for December 5 to December 8, 2025 checkins.

² Based on Airbnb internal data of Q3 2026 global searches for December 4 – December 7, 2026 checkins vs. Q3 2025 global searches for December 5 to December 8, 2025 checkins by overall and Gen Z travelers.

³ Based on internal Airbnb data of the median host earnings from Miami-area reservations for December 5 – 8, 2025 checkins.

Founded in 1970 by gallerists from Basel, Art Basel today stages the world’s premier art shows for Modern and contemporary art, sited in Basel, Miami Beach, Hong Kong, Paris, and Qatar. Defined by its host city and region, each show is unique, which is reflected in its participating galleries, the artworks presented, and the content of parallel programming produced in collaboration with local institutions for each edition. Art Basel’s engagement has expanded through new digital platforms including Zero 10 and the Art Basel App, and initiatives such as the Art Basel and UBS Global Art Market Report and Survey of Global Collecting, the Art Basel Awards, and the Art Basel Shop. For further information, visit artbasel.com.

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