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As the end of the year approaches, the travel industry begins to anticipate what trends will shape the trips people take in 2026.
while predicting travel trends While the platform can be a useful tool for booking hotels and travel companies, sometimes these “trends” get weird – and this year we’ve seen a number that we’re not sure we’re really going to take to, or perhaps it just feels like it’s always been a sustained interest among travelers rather than a temporary fad.
Factors such as cost of living, countries’ political conditions and climate change continue to influence the way we travel, but this year the industry is also taking a closer look at the groups who base their journey on On cosmic timing and astrology, as well as on those who visit a destination purely for the skin care shops, or even to live a “romantic life” inspired by fantasy books.
In fact, these types of travel trends are a little fun And just maybe a dose of inspiration, so we decided to gather the most interesting and borderline ridiculous trend predictions for 2026 that have come across our desk.
glomades
according to skyscanner27 percent of Gen Z “glomads” plan to experience local beauty culture and visit skincare stores when they travel in 2026. The beauty “trend” has spread to social media with trips to South Korea and Japan for facials, personal color analysis and scalp spa tours being promoted by influencers on TikTok. Traveling for beauty is nothing new. Travelers have long taken ocean dips to enjoy its restorative effects on the skin and flown far and wide in search of the kind of bronze-like glow you can’t get from a bottle. But while a handful of skin-care “glomads” may be traveling with serums and beauty rituals in mind, I think the vast majority of tourists are probably just going looking for sunscreen. – Natalie Wilson, senior travel writer.
Creating a ‘Shelf-IE’
hotel booking giant booking.com It is predicted that “shelf-ie” souvenirs will be phased out in 2026, meaning travelers are more likely to be looking for an elevated souvenir to carry and display in their homes rather than purchasing a standard magnet or beaded bracelet. The company estimates that a quarter of holidaymakers will be looking for a souvenir that shows their appreciation for local craft, sustainability and tradition. I love this idea, because it’s important to support local businesses, give back to the community, and take home something more authentic than a bottle opener. Still, vacations are expensive, and I suspect only a few travelers will have the extra cash (and luggage space) to buy high-priced artisanal goods to bring home with them.
However, it would be great if this trend continues and sees travelers become more conscious about where they shop, as well as consider whether it is worth spending a little more on something authentic. Social media can also greatly influence our desire to decorate our shelves with beautiful and colorful items, so I would urge travelers to only buy an item if it really means something to them, rather than falling prey to overconsumption. – Amelia Neth, travel writer.
neurosurfing
according to British Airways HolidaysYou’re all relaxing wrong. In a trend report drenched in pseudoscience, the firm declares that digital detoxing and fly-and-flop holidays are “not producing the cool ‘alpha’ brainwaves that true rest requires”, leading to growing interest in “neurosurfing”, holidays designed to provide high-impact relaxation through “curated shifts in brainwave states rather than stillness”. We are told that Neurosurfers want a combination of multisensory experiences that “ripple in beta, alpha, theta and delta states”, such as yoga, meditation, drumming lessons, floatation tanks, cold plunges and “modern biohacks”, evolutionary imagery and binaural beats.
To me, this seems like a recipe for increasing stress levels, not reducing them, with passengers – instead of properly switching off – now bearing the burden of monitoring whether their brains are calming down “properly”. – Ted Thornhill, American Travel Editor
destiny-ation
While I can certainly see why it would seem like a fun idea (and I have no doubt that whoever came up with “destined-ations” would have found the name irresistible), I simply can’t believe that large numbers of people are going to choose their next vacation based on astrology.
I did a cursory Google of places I should visit according to my zodiac sign (I stopped to check my Sun, Moon, and Rising signs) and was told I might want to consider Rome, Istanbul, Dublin, and Gran Canaria. All lovely places and good recommendations, but none of which I have any particular desire to visit in 2026 – and certainly not anymore, when I’ve been told they’re suitable for a Libra. Although I’m sure some people are very interested in astrology It is possible Allowing their signs to dictate their journey into 2026, I suspect it’s going a bit far to say this is a “trend.”
I agree with Booking.com which says the younger generation is more attuned to “the spirit of spiritual exploration”, but anecdotally I think it is extremely impractical for most holidaymakers to plan a trip or cancel a holiday based on the phases of the moon as Mercury is retrograde – Annabel Grossman, global travel editor
night cruise
An increasing number of cruise lines appear to have adopted the term “nocturnism”. These are essentially activities you do at night but include everything from seeing the northern lights to intense dining experiences. It is expected to accelerate in the coming months with the total solar eclipse in 2026.
But evening activities on a cruise are already well established and it seems that many of these standalone magical experiences such as seeing the Aurora Borealis are already selling themselves without any further marketing buzz. , Mark Shoffman, Cruise Editor
chronology
The British Airways Holidays 2026 report defines “chronocations” as holidays that are based on “our growing desire to be in tune with our biological chronotypes rather than the rigid rhythms of modern life”. In layman’s terms this means: do what you want, when you want.
Surely many people know this as “holiday time”? Or the average traveler for the hardened Type B, who has no real plan beyond check-in. Our desire to break free from routine is why people have long romanticized the Italian feeling of “”.not doing anything sweet”, or travel to Spain in hopes of “mothertomorrow morningThe mentality will dominate them.
As the trend suggests, “ignoring the clock altogether” is, obviously, extremely impractical. Good luck stopping by during a small town break at lunchtime, or visiting a tourist attraction after closing time. Plus, jet lag is bad enough without intentionally avoiding the adjustment to the new time zone. Sounds like a recipe for stress and starvation to me.
So if the objective is to slow down and reset, I would suggest people go for an all-inclusive or wellness retreat Very Flexible timetable compared to so-called chronological taking. , Hayley Spencer, Assistant Travel Editor
hushpitality
Playing videos at volume on your phoneOr conducting telephone calls on loudspeakers in public places, You are my enemy. Much has been written about how the pandemic disrupted social norms and basic etiquette, with private behavior leaking into the public sphere. Combine this with rising levels of stress and anxiety in an increasingly polarized world and simply being out and about – especially in big cities like London – You may often feel tired and heavy.
according to Research by HiltonTravelers’ number one motivation for leisure travel in 2026 is to relax, rejuvenate, and seek out destinations and experiences to “blow away the distractions of life.” It’s a trend they’re calling “hushpitality,” which I’m not mad about at all. The top wishes expressed included spending time in natureImproving mental health and spoiling yourself with “me time”. Has anyone read my vision board? “Whether it’s embracing the soothing sound of ocean waves, enjoying a roaring campfire or enjoying the tranquility of a spa, travelers are craving moments of peace and quiet away from the busyness of their daily routines,” he says.
Hotel veteran quotes cancunhonolulu, orlandoearring and maldives Since travelers are particularly keen on looking for “hospitality”, in places like this I’d argue that even the most anti-social travelers would struggle to stay stressed. This may sound ridiculous, but I say, sign me up. Until then, invest in some earphones , and keep the noise down. ,Joanna Whitehead, travel writer.