By DONALD WITTKOWSKI
Sea Isle City is already expecting a strong summer, but there are indications that this vacation season could be an absolute blockbuster.
The beach resort has landed on a list of the 10 most popular vacation destinations based on searches by U.S. travelers for summer rental properties using the online marketplace HomeToGo.com.
Sea Isle ranked No. 10, joining other sought-out seaside vacation places such as Topsail Beach, N.C., Crete, Greece, the Cape Cod town of Brewster, Mass., and Normandy, France. Topsail Beach finished first on the list.
“American travelers are looking to make a splash this summer; beach destinations and lakes continue to be among the most sought-after destinations on HomeToGo,” according to the list.
Sea Isle has a year-round population of about 2,100, but the town swells to an estimated 50,000 to 75,000 vacationers during the peak summer season.
City spokeswoman Katherine Custer said Sea Isle “truly offers something for everyone,” making it a popular destination at the Jersey Shore.
“People come to Sea Isle City for a variety of reasons, including our beautiful beaches, the many eateries and retailers they find here, and our array of family-friendly entertainment options, including our free concerts, summer camps, and many other attractions. Factor in the amazing wildlife and outdoor activities you can enjoy, and it’s easy to understand why Sea Isle is so popular,” she said Sunday.
Even before HomeToGo released its list of the most popular vacation destinations, Sea Isle was already looking forward to a very successful summer season, Custer pointed out.
“Each year, we welcome visitors from across the country and beyond, and people are always very happy to be here,” she said.
Search demand for summer rentals in Sea Isle between June 21 and Sept. 22 in 2023 has jumped 154 percent compared to 2022, according to HomeToGo.
HomeToGo also provided the median nightly price per person for the top 10 destinations. Sea Isle came in as the most expensive place among those vacation spots at $158.64 per person, per night, for accommodations available through HomeToGo between June 21 and Sept. 22, 2023.
HomeToGo bills itself as the online marketplace with the world’s largest selection of vacation rentals. The travel service says it lists millions of offers from thousands of partners, including Booking.com, Vrbo and TripAdvisor.
Founded in 2014, HomeToGo operates local apps and websites in 25 countries across Europe, North America, South America, Australia and Asia-Pacific.
Following is HomeToGo’s complete list of the 10 most popular summer destinations.
