Overview
- Booking.com’s 2026 predictions draw on a survey of more than 29,000 travelers across 33 countries, signaling a shift toward trips that reflect personal identity and emotional goals.
- Skyscanner identifies seven trends for 2026—Glowmads, Shelf Discovery, Altitude Shift, Bookbound, Catching Flights and Feelings, Family Miles, Destination Check-in—elevating the hotel as a core part of the experience.
- Nearly 90% of surveyed travelers express interest in fantasy- or story-inspired itineraries, with AI tools suggested to surface themed stays and real-world filming locations.
- Forecasts point to “smart vacations” that feature tech-forward homes with robotic assistants, automated cooking and intelligent sustainability systems.
- Risk management and value stand out, with Chile’s insurers urging comprehensive travel insurance and Skyscanner warning that standing out will be tougher as AI and social search expand choices.