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2026 Travel Outlook: Slower Trips, Bigger Cruise Bets, AI Planning and a Turn to Nature

Travelers are prioritizing slower, experience-led trips over volume in 2026.

Overview

  • Airbnb reports U.S. searches for stays near national parks are up 35% for 2026, with nature and outdoor activities the platform’s top booked experience category.
  • Use of generative AI for trip planning is growing, with Amadeus finding 18% of travelers tried it and about a quarter encountered outdated or inaccurate results.
  • Cruising is scaling from boutique rivers to India-serving routes, including expanded itineraries to Dubai, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Singapore and more, with river lines adding capacity.
  • Gen Z is driving a surge in one- to two-day international “day trips,” a social-media-fueled pattern focused on quick, culture-rich escapes.
  • Online travel agency eDreams Odigeo names Bangkok, Tokyo and Paris as 2026 hot spots based on search and booking data, reflecting demand for transformational and wellness-led travel.