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2026 Travel Outlook: Mediterranean Mainstays Endure as Big Sky, Okinawa and Sardinia Surge

The projections draw on Lonely Planet's editorial picks and booking‑platform search data released this month.

Overview

  • Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2026 lists 50 recommendations without rankings, splitting 25 places and 25 experiences, with Cádiz, Sardinia and Belgrade’s nightlife among the highlights.
  • Expedia reports Big Sky, Montana, as its top trending destination with a 92% year‑over‑year search increase, followed by Okinawa at +71% and Sardinia at +63%.
  • Japan’s appeal remains strong on Expedia’s platform, a trend the report links in part to the weak yen drawing interest beyond Tokyo and Kyoto.
  • Urlaubsguru flags rising curiosity for once‑niche spots such as Sierra Leone, Georgia and the Galapagos, with Instagram exposure cited as a driver for the Galapagos.
  • Tour operators TUI and Alltours say Turkey, Spain and the Greek islands continue to dominate bookings, while interest grows for Vietnam, Zanzibar and Kenya, and travelers book earlier with a sharper focus on price‑performance.