Airbnb Inc reported better-than-expected gross bookings in its first quarterly earnings report since going public, indicating a strong rebound in demand for vacation rentals in North America as Covid-19 pandemic curbs ease, according to Reuters.

Leisure travelers in the company’s biggest market stepped out to nearby locations that could be accessed by a car and are within 50 miles, lifting daily booking rates up by 13 per cent, Airbnb said.

“Nights booked prior to cancellations in North America were close to the levels reached in the same quarter of 2019,” the company said.