Spring break, holiday spur multiday stays

Travelers increasingly spending more time in one place to soak in local culture

The school spring break merging with the five-day May Day holiday this year prompted many vacationers to trade whirlwind "special forces-style" travel for immersive, multiday stays in single destinations.

Special forces-style travel refers to a travel trend wherein multiple attractions are covered in a short time through tightly scheduled, high-intensity itineraries. The trend, which has been around for the past few years, is particularly popular among young people.

Data from multiple online travel platforms showed the rise of the "depth stay" phenomenon during this year's May Day holiday, from Friday to Tuesday, with travelers spending more time in one place to soak in the local culture and way of life.