Skyscanner has released its Travel Trends 2026 report, a report that presents seven key trends that will shape traveler behavior in the coming year and outlines the major trends that will shape the future of travel.
In 2026, travelers will plan trips that are more in line with who they are and what they love.
As the cost of living is still a priority, travel in 2026 is being planned in a targeted manner.
They are formed around hobbies, priorities, and a personal sense of "worthiness."
Brian Batista, CEO of Skyscanner, said: "Skyscanner's 2026 Travel Trends Report shows that travel will become more personal than ever."
"Whether it's planning a trip around a 'must-stay hotel', immersing yourself in a new favorite book during a reading retreat, incorporating a beauty treatment into a travel itinerary, or taking a trip with the whole family, travel will become more curated, informed, and unique."
The report combines Skyscanner's proprietary data with global consumer research and analytics from well-known brands including Reddit, Malin and Goetz, All Trails, and Penguin Books to identify seven trends that will shape travel in 2026.
Seven trends that will shape travel in 2026:
Glowmads
Around 27 percent of British travelers want to experience local beauty culture, and 21 percent say they have been influenced by TikTok and social media.In 2026, skincare and beauty treatments will go beyond social media and become part of real-world travel behavior. From in-flight skincare to visiting iconic local cosmetics stores to purchase cult products, beauty is becoming part of the itinerary. While Seoul continues to grow as a global symbol of beauty culture, this trend is not so much about where to go, but how beauty is shaping the way people travel.
Opening the shelf
About 43 percent have researched local supermarkets abroad. "Eating like a local" now means going to the snack section.
From Tokyo's vending machines and 7-Eleven Slurpee to Icelandic geothermal bread, gastrotourism is changing.
The way people travel for food is now part cultural immersion, part budget life hack, offering a unique perspective on local life that is affordable and authentic.
Height shift
About 71% travelers are considering or planning a mountain vacation for summer or fall 2026.
In 2026, travelers will literally be heading for higher ground.
Travelers are heading for higher ground - not just for the ski slopes, but also for the peace. From the Dolomites to Annapurna to the Canadian Rockies, alpine resorts around the world beckon people to enjoy year-round tranquility outside of peak season.
Skyscanner has recorded a 103 percent year-on-year increase in hotel bookings worldwide using the Mountain View filter.
Book binding
Almost half of travelers have booked or would consider a trip inspired by literature.
Whether it's following the trail of fictional characters, planning a leisurely vacation around a reading retreat, or chasing the most beautiful bookstores and libraries in the world, people choose travel and literature to escape reality, reconnect, and reconnect.
This trend is reflected in the way people search for hotels, with the use of Skyscanner's "library" filter growing by 70 percent globally annually.
Catching flights and feelings
More than one-third (39 percent) of travelers have traveled or considered traveling abroad specifically to meet new people, such as for friendship or dating.
As dating habits change and "meet-ups" become more commonplace, more and more travelers are trading swipes for real sparks - from meeting partners in faraway cities to dating abroad and finding a life partner on the road.
The highest trend is among Generation Z and baby boomers, and hotel bookings using the "solo" filter are up 83 percent globally compared to last year.
Family miles
About 16 percent traveled with their family, including multi-generational travel.
Intergenerational travel is gaining popularity - not only to share costs, but also to reclaim time together and create lasting memories between parents, children and grandparents.
With budgets being an important factor and many people in their 20s living at home, families, especially the younger generation, are getting creative with how and where they travel.
Registration at the destination pointization
About 27 percent stayed in accommodation that is part of the trip or the destination itself.
More than ever, travelers are choosing where to travel based on where they want to stay. Hotels are no longer just a place to sleep - they are a destination in themselves.
From the stunning architecture to the transportation design and overall atmosphere, travelers prefer a unique vacation experience.
And with younger travelers (and their social networks) fueling an obsession with illusions, unusual accommodations are redefining what it means to "travel the world" without a long-haul flight.
The future of travel
The future of travel is curated, thoughtful, and smarter than ever before.
With 84 percent of respondents saying they will travel abroad as much or more in 2026 compared to 2025, travelers will be stretching their budgets to make room for more rich and rewarding experiences.
Artificial intelligence needs to move from assistant to agent, where multiple systems work together to solve complex traveler needs, from travel inspiration to support at any time.
Social media and search are now the primary tools for inspiration, research and planning. As search becomes smarter, social platforms are changing the inspiration phase by offering trending places, niche experiences and recommendations in a way that is personal and engaging.
We also expect a growing number of travelers to avoid crowds and peak seasons as over-tourism is felt in many parts of the world.
