Data from the world’s leading hotel groups, travel agencies and trend forecasters suggests that 2026 will be the year of quiet getaways, algorithm-shaped itineraries, ultra-personalised retreats and a return to slower, more intentional travel.
Computational experts, behaviorists and travel agencies have been compiling their data for the past few months to assess where they think the travel industry is headed. From “coolcations” – a trend that emerged a few years ago and became one of the words of the year in the Collins Dictionary – to “flashpacking,” a term used to denote luxury travel, annual travel trends tend to come with the odd word, like “portmanteau”, and it almost always reflects how we live – or how we want to live.
The BBC has looked at the year’s best travel predictions, including made-up words. These are the main trends on the horizon for 2026.
1. Silence everywhere
One trend is set to dominate next year: “quiet.” Also called Hushpitality, this movement focuses on comfort, tranquility and finding a way to escape the increasing stress of modern life. Given that we have an always-on digital culture that collides with an endless array of global events affecting us in real time, it’s no surprise that many of us seek to disconnect.
“When we launched Unplugged in 2020, digital detox and analog living were practically unheard of“, says Hector Hughes, co-founder of Unplugged. “Now, over half of our guests cite burnout and screen fatigue as their main motivation for booking,” he says.
2. Artificial intelligence instead of the administrator
We will undoubtedly see more AI integrated into travel in 2026. According to Amadeus research, a growing number of travelers are already using generative AI for planning and booking. With major players like Expedia and Booking.com integrating tools like ChatGPT, it’s easier than ever for bots to plan your vacation. Add in real-time translation and mobile digital check-ins, and technology is quietly removing much of the administration that used to define a trip.
But the rise of artificial intelligence comes with complications. Sustainability experts warn that algorithmic recommendations can fuel over-tourism by directing travelers to the same destinations. It’s also behind a growing number of travel scams, so it pays to use these tools with care.
Cultural trends specialist Jasmine Bina, CEO of Concept Bureau, says artificial intelligence is changing how we express our desires, but not why we travel. “Maybe you want to travel to a resort to heal from burnout, but now, instead of simply searching for resorts on TikTok, you’ll use ChatGPT to first figure out what specific type of burnout you have, what rituals or sensory stimuli you react to, and which destination best reflects your inner state“, she says.
3. Trust is more important than choice
Call it decision fatigue, laziness, or an enthusiasm to let someone else dictate: There is a clear rise in travel experiences where the guest doesn’t have to make any decisions.
In the Faroe Islands, through the new self-driving car initiative, choice is removed in the name of sustainability; while in other parts of the world it is used to create truly restful and relaxing holidays. In Mendoza, Argentina, Susana Balboa’s Winemaker’s House & Spa Suites has launched a mystery travel option designed to take the stress out of bookings and create carefully curated surprises for guests; while in the cruise industry, mystery cruises – where passengers board without knowing the itinerary – are becoming increasingly popular.
A trends report by travel PR firm Lemongrass notes that these types of carefully curated getaways reflect growing decision fatigue and cognitive overload caused by constant micro-decision making, both at home and abroad.
4. Roads by car
According to Hilton’s 2026 Trends Report, next year we will enjoy car travel. It notes that the #RoadTrip hashtag has amassed more than 5.9 million tags globally as travelers rediscover the allure of the open road.
But while driving holiday specialist Hunter Moss reimagines the classic car journey as a luxury experience – combining Michelin-starred restaurants with carefully selected lifestyle stops – many travelers choose to drive for an entirely different reason: cost. According to Hilton research, 60% of Brits say they will drive to a destination to save money.
Milena Nikolova, director of behavior at BehaviorSMART, a company that specializes in understanding how and why we travel, believes the road travel boom has a distinctly American flavor. “The nature of the human-machine relationship in North America and Europe is very different“, she says, “giving them a different attitude towards recreational driving”.
5. Ultra customized instead of a one-size-fits-all solution
Gone are the days of booking the same trip as everyone else: the travel industry is moving towards hyper-individuality on a large scale. In recent years, specialized tours have emerged to serve specific life stages and situations, from divorce to marriage retreats and even niche tours such as sports vacations and tours for bug enthusiasts.
For Bina, this change reflects the way we now perceive time. “Life has become an infinite scroll, with fewer rituals and rites of passage”she says. “Things like divorce tours and marriage retreats aim to create a sacred time centered around intense emotion. These are our new thresholds. People want to cross them and come out changed on the other side. This is a huge opportunity for the tourism industry to deliver meaning and experience on a whole different level.”
6. Network independent systems via a tested solution
“More and more of our travelers, especially the anti-Instagram brigade, are turning away from overcrowded places that rarely live up to their overfiltered and tidy online image“says Nick Pulley, founder of tour operator Selective Asia. The result is that off-the-grid destinations are on the rise, with interest growing in places like Toledo in Spain, Brandenburg in Germany and, for the more adventurous, Iraq. In the UK, the trend is to move people away from top tourist areas such as the Cotswolds and Cornwall to less visited areas such as Northumberland, Wales and Somerset, according to a report by Lemongrass.
Hilton’s trend study also identifies an increase in curiosity-driven travel, noting that Britons in particular are seeking personal development and exploration, even at the expense of work. There’s a growing appetite for adventure, whether it’s seeking out authentic guesthouses in Nepal, visiting lesser-known areas of Italy, or simply any under-touristed region with a strong sense of place.
For Nikolova, this shift reflects how experiences now function as a form of social currency. “Today, with social media, experiences are much more tangible and can serve as proof of status over a long period of time and with a wider audience“, she says. “Part of the status also comes from the fact that adventure tourism is perceived as typical for people with more affluent careers in travel and for people who have gone beyond typical and mainstream experiences.”
7. Culture instead of hedonism
Fueled in part by “#BookTok,” literary travel is set to continue to grow in 2026, alongside its sister trend: “ set-jetting” (journeys inspired by television and film). Hotels around the world, even in destinations better known for their nightlife, are getting in on the action. From Ibiza to Madrid, hotel guests can expect everything from rare books and reading retreats to poolside libraries and themed stays.
