The 10th edition of Booking.com’s annual predictions reveals that travel in 2026 will be deeply personalized, reflecting travelers’ quirks, goals, and passions.
The Travel Predictions 2026 report finds that personalization, technology, and the search for self are redefining the way we travel.
A new chapter for travel
Travel has always been a personal experience, but by 2026, it will no longer fit neatly into “packages” and pre-set itineraries. Travelers will seek experiences that mirror their character, uniqueness, and passions. Based on responses from 29,000 travelers across 33 countries, Booking.com’s new research shows that the next wave of tourism will be hyper-personalized, experimental, and deeply human.
1. Romantasy Retreats: From book pages to fairytale castles
The new trend of 2026 is “romantasy retreats” — trips inspired by fantasy worlds of dragons, elves, and magic.
More than 7 in 10 travelers (71%) say they would like to visit a destination inspired by fantasy literature or film. Artificial intelligence plays a key role, recommending “storybook” stays or real-life movie locations.
2. Turbulence Tests: Travel as a relationship challenge
For 2026, travel isn’t just about relaxation — it’s a compatibility test.
69% of respondents say they would take a trip with a partner, friend, or colleague to see if they truly “click.” From remote destinations to role swaps or low-budget challenges, travelers are testing bonds and personalities through adventure.
3. Shelf-ie Souvenirs: Memories that decorate your kitchen
Instead of fridge magnets, 2026 brings “shelf-ie souvenirs” — gourmet or design items that turn your kitchen into a cultural collage.
Over 68% of travelers would buy local food products or design objects as souvenirs, while 55% would travel to destinations known for their gastronomy or craftsmanship.
4. Roadtrip Rewired: Shared journeys and tech-driven adventures
The classic road trip is being reinvented.
84% of travelers say they would carpool on holiday, while 65% would use AI to design more scenic, lesser-known routes. For Gen Z, self-driving cars and AI travel assistants are becoming essential tools of freedom and discovery.
5. Destined-ations: When the stars decide your trip
Astrology will guide the suitcases of 2026.
47% say they would change or cancel a trip if advised by a spiritual guide, while 43% would consider a “bad” horoscope. Younger generations, especially Gen Z and Millennials, increasingly connect travel with purpose and energy.
6. Glow-cations: The new era of wellness
Beauty and wellness travel will become tech-personalized.
Around 80% of travelers say they’d like a holiday dedicated to skincare, with AI recommending destinations based on their body’s needs. From smart mirrors to circadian lighting rooms, health and glow become key travel motivators.
7. Hushed Hobbies: Silence as the new luxury
In 2026, silence is the ultimate indulgence.
43% of travelers say they want to connect with nature through travel, with hobbies like insect watching, foraging, fishing, and birdwatching gaining popularity. Even here, tech blends in — species-tracking apps and AI trail guides bring calm balance between nature and innovation.
8. PastPorts: Traveling through memory
Nostalgia becomes a destination.
With AI’s help, travelers can locate places from old photos and revisit them.
66% say they’d like to relive a past travel moment, while nearly half see it as a way to reconnect with friends or family. Travel becomes an emotional pilgrimage to memory.
9. Modern Milestone Missions: Trips for every reason — or none at all
Younger generations no longer need a “reason” to travel.
67% say they don’t need a special occasion, while 75% believe working hard is reason enough. From job-change trips to “breakup getaways,” personal joy itself becomes the new travel trigger.
10. The essence: Travel as a mirror of the self
As James Waters, Chief Business Officer at Booking.com, notes:
“In 2026, travel will be a reflection of who we truly are.”
Technology, imagination, and the quest for meaningful experiences are transforming the industry into a field of self-discovery and authenticity — where every journey declares: this is who I am, this is what I love, this is what I seek.
