2026 Travel Forecast: High Demand for Authenticity, Measurable Sustainability

“In 2026, travelers will favor choices that emphasize authenticity, slower logistics, and measurable sustainability, whether for a weekend escape or a longer journey,” says Sara Boisvert, marketing director for UK-based InsureMyTrip.

InsureMyTrip has just released its own set of predictions and there are two key themes the insurance provider is seeing: a deeper environmental awareness and the expectation that every trip will be tailored to the individual.

“Holidaymakers are already leaning towards trips that hold more meaning, at a more relaxed pace, meeting their personal preferences and desires,” said Boisvert.

But those aren’t Boisvert’s only predictions for the coming year. Here are some of the additional developments Boisvert thinks we’ll see.

Romantasy and movie-inspired holidays

Books remain a beloved travel companion and in 2026 we’re likely to see even more of that, suggests Boisvert. What specifically makes Boisvert think that? A rise in related hashtags on social media.

“Hashtags such as #beachread, which now has more than 64,000 posts on TikTok, and rising search interest in phrases like ‘best books for holiday’ show that people are actively seeking reading that fits their downtime,” says Boisvert.

But hang on, this development is not just about bringing the right book on your vacay. Fantasy aesthetics are crossing from books and screens into real itineraries, says Boisvert.

“Travelers in 2026 will increasingly seek stays and activities that let them live their own romantasy story, be it surrounded by enchanted forests or mystical castles,” she predicts.

No longer confined to fiction, fantasy will become a travel blueprint, offering magical escapes where imagination and adventure meet.

Authenticity and Measurable Sustainability for 2026: Road trips reimagined

Some suggest millennials brought road tripping back, but whether that’s actually reality or not, road tripping is set to evolve in 2026 into a more social and relaxed experience, says Boisvert.

This is largely due to the growth of #vanlife, explains Boisvert, which has families, couples, and friends alike increasingly tempted by a vacation that allows for slowing down, reconnecting, and small-scale encounters.

Need further proof of this development: Search interest for road trip apps has grown by 457 percent in the past year, with an impressive 92 percent just this quarter, according to InsureMyTrip, which seems to indicate that road tripping, which dates back literally decades, is definitely having a moment right now. And for at least some travelers, technology may help make this longtime tradition a more relaxing and convenient experience.

This technology, along with the introduction of AI-powered tools, will match travelers who want to share costs or have some company while on the road, and route-planning tools will prioritize scenic, low-traffic alternatives and train-linked legs.

Glow-cations and wellness holidays

Wellness travel, another trend that has been around for quite some time, is also predicted to have a heightened focus for 2026, one that will include emphasis specifically on restoration, authenticity and measurable sustainability. And resorts around the world are more than happy to accommodate.

“Resorts and wellness providers have already started offering a wide range of wellness retreat options, including private spa retreats, yoga retreats, and detoxing holidays, for the ultimate wind-down and feel-good trip,” says Boisvert, who added that the emphasis will be on feeling and looking fantastic.

This development is also predicted to be defined by both connection and the need for solitude. 

Travelers may also seek immersive, place-led approaches: cooking with host families, joining small rewilding projects, or taking part in guided meditation and forest-bathing sessions to reduce screen time and deepen connection, added Boisvert.

Highly personalized experiences with the introduction of AI

The use of AI is also becoming commonplace among travelers and throughout the travel industry, as TravelPulse has previously reported.

Boisvert and the experts at Insuremytrip are witnessing the explosion of this development as well. In particular Boisvert says “AI-driven tools will be a key contributor to ensuring that each traveler gets their perfect holiday.”

“For example, AI-driven itinerary planners can build detailed schedules based on user preferences, while apps can identify quieter travel windows or recommend personalized off-grid detours to match specific interests and accessibility needs,” she explained.

The role of tech moving forward will be to help people travel smarter and slower, enabling highly personal journeys that also respect place, Boisvert added.

Yet even at a time when AI is rapidly proliferating and our reliance on its assistance for travel is becoming ever more pervasive, travelers in 2026 will consciously continue to choose trips that feel truly authentic, personalized and considerate of the places they visit.

Moreover, according to InsureMyTrip, globetrotters next year will be busy seeking out low-impact travel options that deliver distinctive, memorable moments and celebrate individuality, connection, and well-being.

As for technology, it will be used to refine rather than replace human insight and human connection.

This article originally appeared in TravelPulse.

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