Travel Trends That Will Define 2026

Travel Trends That Will Define 2026

In just a matter of days, we will officially say goodbye to 2025 and usher in the start of 12 new months ripe with potential for travel and adventure.

For avid globetrotters, this is an exciting time of daydreaming and beginning to define what the year ahead may hold.

Travel industry insiders, meanwhile, have already given a great deal of thought to what 2026 has in store, at least with regard to the many intriguing and fascinating trends that globetrotters will either be leading or chasing.

What might those travel trends that will define 2026 be? Get ready for everything from ‘Whycations’ and ‘Hushpitality,’ along with ‘Glowmads’ and ‘Shelf discovery’ — to name just a few of the travel trends we can expect in 2026. Read on for a look at 10 of the trends that will shape the coming year in travel.

Travel Trends That Will Define 2026: Micro-cruising

Rather than large ship, multi-destination cruises, travelers are increasingly opting for more personalized experiences aboard smaller ships. In particular, there’s an uptick in interest in expedition and river cruises, which are able to embark at smaller ports that large ships are unable to visit, says Susan Catto, head of Publishing, Canada for Travelzoo.

“This shift reflects a greater demand for cultural immersion; a recent survey by Travelzoo and MMGY Travel Intelligence found that ports of call were the top deciding factor for 75 -77 percent of respondents across Germany, Canada, the U.S. and the UK,” says Catto. “Gourmet dining and onboard amenities still rank highly as markers of luxury, but a more intimate onboard experience and more remote or exclusive destinations are gaining ground with cruisers.”

Whycations

On the luxury travel front, 2026 bring a growth in Whycations, according to Classic Vacations’ first-ever Luxury Travel Trends Report.

What does that mean exactly? It seems travelers are increasingly seeking trips with intention — choosing immersive itineraries, longer stays, and quietly luxurious retreats that foster connection and meaning, per Classic Vacations. This purpose-first mindset is fueling the rise of the so-called “whycations,” where travel is guided by personal significance rather than sightseeing checklists.

A growing expression of this trend is “Heritage” or “Roots Tourism,” as more travelers seek ancestral destinations to strengthen their sense of identity, often through multigenerational journeys focused on shared stories and history.

Expect to see travelers in 2026 pursuing everything from programs that support reef restoration, to wildlife rehabilitation, or community development as people increasingly measure the value of a trip by how it contributes to the places they visit.

Hushpitality 

Move over spa vacations, here comes Hushpitality. Not familiar with this particular trend yet? Think: travelers seeking calm, rest, and digital detachment, according to the Classic Vacations’ Luxury Travel Trends Report and the insights of independent industry professionals.
 
Per Classic Vacations, there’s a strong interest in “low-stimulus escapes,” which the company has dubbed “Hushpitality.” These getaways emphasize peace, nature, and mental restoration. Some of the related concepts that are also emerging include “Dead Zoning” (device-free breaks) and “Blue-Mind” ocean escapes.

“Whether for a few days or a full retreat, travelers are prioritizing restorative moments that help them return home reset and recharged,” says the Luxury Travel Trends report.

Jay Wardle, president of Adara, a data company that works with brands and destinations, also expects to see a rise in ‘recovery trips’ in 2026. This intel comes from billions of signals from Adara’s 250-plus data partners, which are used to reveal real insights from real travelers.

“In an era of political turmoil, news cycles that blend into the next, social media toxicity, tightening wallets, rising temperatures that make everyone constantly feel on edge, many people are seeking to prioritize calm in their personal life and well-being, with travel as no exception,” says Wardle.

“This is where more restorative or recharging trips focused on rest, nature and even what many are dubbing a digital detox are giving way to the next big relaxation trend,” Wardle continues. “Think more getaways designed around slow, gentle and relaxed pacing that aim to soothe the mind as much as the soul.”

Glowmads

Beauty is becoming a major travel motivator for Gen Z and that will continue to be the case in 2026. In fact, Gen Z is significantly more likely than Baby Boomers to prioritize beauty-focused activities abroad, says Lourdes Losada, director of Americas for the flight research platform Skyscanner.

“Forty percent [of Gen Z travelers] plan to seek out beauty treatments or skincare stores while traveling next year, and TikTok is driving inspiration, with beauty content acting as a catalyst for their travel plans,” says Losada.

Catch flights and feelings

While we’re on the topics of Gen Z and travel trends that will define 2026, it seems they’re also embracing travel as a path to connection with 74 percent saying they’re turning to new cities and new destinations to meet people beyond their local dating pools. 

One third say they feel more open to meeting others while traveling and feel freer to be themselves in new environments, explains Losada.

Shelf discovery

Yet another quirky development on the horizon for 2026 is supermarket tourism, which is apparently surging. What does this involve exactly? Planning to visit supermarkets while abroad.

It seems travelers “want to discover foods they cannot find at home and sample unique flavors from international brands,” Losada says. “On TikTok, there has been a surge in popularity around 7-Eleven stops in Japan to try their egg salad sandwiches.

It’s a trend that reflects a growing curiosity about everyday cultural experiences in other countries.

Rail revival

Overland travel, such as buses, cars and trains, has been gaining ground in recent years for a variety of reasons including a growing desire among travelers  to cut their carbon footprint amid worsening climate change.

Katy Rockett, regional director of North America for the adventure travel company Explore Worldwide says this development will continue in 2026 with more travelers opting for rail journeys over short-haul flights. 

“We’re seeing phenomenal growth in rail-based adventures, which is a clear reflection of the wider trend towards more sustainable and experiential forms of travel,” says Rockett. “Travelers want to slow down and take in more of the journey itself, and rail provides that sense of adventure and connection to the landscape that flights can’t offer.”

Explore Worldwide bookings for rail journeys have surged 25 percent year-over-year overall. What’s more future rail bookings overall are up 41 percent  compared with last year (2024). Among the fastest-growing trips are some of Explore’s most iconic rail adventures including the Simply Japan (up 42 percent year-over-year); India’s Kolkata to Amritsar journey (up 21 percent); and the Venice to Rome by Rail plus Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast (up 22 percent.)

Umbraphilia and Astrotourism

Astrotourism is not exactly a new development in the travel industry, but Rockett suggests it’s set to grow even more popular in 2026. This trend will include a focus on umbraphiles (or eclipse chasers), as the total solar eclipse arcs mainland Europe for the first time in nearly 30 years.

“Combining cosmic spectacle with cultural discovery, eclipse travel continues to capture the imagination of travelers seeking once-in-a-lifetime experiences that put life, quite literally, in perspective,” says Rockett.

Explore’s data shows strong international interest in five tailor-made eclipse adventures, which will take travelers to some of the best vantage points in Spain, Iceland, and Greenland.

Around 75 percent of Explore’s bookings for Spain’s eclipse tours come from UK travelers, but half of the company’s Iceland eclipse departures are made up of US travelers.

“Explore’s eclipse tours have proven to be incredibly popular this year,” adds Rockett. “The first set for 2026 tours went on sale in May of this year, and sold out by mid-July, showing a clear indication of how popular these experiences are.”

This article originally appeared in TravelPulse.

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