Get a Glimpse: Travel Trends for 2026
They’re hitting the headlines, dominating social feeds and changing the way we visit the world. They are some of the top travel trends of 2026 — from perk-infused hotel hopping to meaningful whycations and serene hush-pitality gems. Here’s how destinations, like yours, can get in on the action and stay ahead of the game.
Event-Based Travel
No doubt about it, 2026 is going to be an eventful year — from soccer to stars and stripes. The 2026 FIFA World Cup™ is hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico and along with it comes a fresh batch of sports-mania-based immersive experiences. Turns out a large number of us will be big fans of the future of travel, too. Expedia reports that 57% of travelers say they’re likelyto attend a local sporting event while traveling, rising to 68% among Gen Z and Millennials combined.
America’s 250th Anniversary is another cause for celebration with everyone — from history buffs to adventure seekers — making plans to head out to revolutionary-rich landmarks, itineraries, parties and statewide star-spangled events.
If your destination is close to these soon-to-be hubs of activity, whether it’s a stadium or state park, now is the time to shine. Think special promo packages, gift store merch and restaurant-themed specials that connect to the fandom of one of the year’s latest travel trends.
Hush-pitality Getaways
Shhhhh. One of the travel trend predictions for 2026 is here, but it’s a quiet one. According to Hilton’s global research, 56% of respondents named their number one motivation for leisure travel in 2026 is to rest and recharge. It seems that calm and quiet reign supreme in the new year. Travelers are valuing their peace, marking a shift from loud, hyper-social locales and instead opting for resort-style getaways that offer silence, rest and privacy.
Ways to lean into this trend are to focus on minimalist design, nearby nature and wellness activities, spaces that encourage tranquility and hues like Pantone’s 2026 Color of the Year, Cloud Dancer. Its soft, airy white evokes quietude, calm and a sense of unhurried space — exactly the mood hush-pitality travelers seek. Use it in interior design and branding as a signal of serenity. Brush up on more colorful insight in our blog, Pantone Color of the Year 2026: What it Means for Travel.
Salvaged Stays
Traveling in 2026 is not just about captivating views, it’s about character. Travelers are looking for rich history where they choose to rest their heads. In fact, this trend is all about rest, as in rest-oration, restored destinations and treasured parts of our collective past. Hotspots listed by Hotels.com range from a repurposed 1912-era bank building in New York to a former train station in Nashville where Al Capone once passed through and a fully operating prison originally built during the reign of King George III in 1779.
Appeal to the history-buff/architectural aficionado in would-be travelers to your destination. If you have an interesting backstory, share it via historical photos, figures associated with it, architectural features, preserved details and more.
Whycations
As we slide into 2026, the question at the top of the list is not just where you are going, but why. Meaningful travel, or the whycation, as Hilton has termed it, is all about intention. With this trend, many are choosing to take a trip to reconnect with nature, mark a personal milestone or pursue some other purpose backed by motivation. This type of travel is more about moments and less about miles. While many whycations take place across the globe, many are taken not far from home.
Reach those with “why” on the mind by highlighting purposeful experiences and small-group activities that allow for deeper interaction and reflection.
Hotel Hopping
Ok, there are a lot of reasons behind this trend of booking multiple hotels within a single destination. Hotels.com reported that for some (50%), it’s to explore more of the area they traveled to. For others (35%), it’s to rack up discounts and rewards. Many may be just following all the social buzz around this trend, which is especially popular with Gen Zers and Millennials. Whatever the reason, the surge in multiple bookings is real.
Now is the time to whip out the hop & save packages that offer discounts and perks for bookings and bundle experiences, easy to access and activate, of course. Also highlight the neighborhood and variety of adventures found near your location. With followers of this 2026 travel trend, the more the merrier.
Readaways
Bookworms and bibliophiles are on to something. Reading is relaxing. Reading is an escape from reality if only for a few hundred pages. And if you ask partakers of this trend, reading is the catalyst for a new chapter in travel spent curled up in a cozy bungalow within earshot of the ocean or a serene countryside. In fact, Vrbo reports a whopping 91% of travelers are interested in taking a trip centered around reading, relaxing and spending time with loved ones.
To get in with the well-read traveler, offer (and market!) quiet accommodations with comfy chairs, nooks and window seats with a view, as well as calming zones for reading, journaling and reflection.
Family Wellness Trips
Getaways geared toward wellness travel trends have been riding high for the last few years but have always been focused more on activities for adults. Condé Nast Traveler reports that wellness trips are becoming more of a family affair this year, with parents trying to get their kids in a healthy frame of mind from a young age. We’re talking little ones, teens, even babies. This trend is multi-gen too, so grandparents can tap into the wellness vibe as well. Yoga, exercises that focus on breathwork and core fitness programs, even beach boot camps are becoming vacay mainstays for all ages.
Now is the time to promote multi-generational wellness activities that appeal to all ages. Family nature walks, multi-level yoga or stretch classes, even family cooking and nutrition workshops keep families traveling, and getting healthier, together.
On-The-Farm Charm
Dana Communications reported on this remarkably rural trend as one to follow in 2025, and it’s still well-rooted in 2026. Vrbo reports that 84% of travelers are interested in staying on or near a farm in 2026. Nature walks, hiking, being able to interact with farm animals and harvesting produce or picking fresh fruit tip the scales for those rooted in adoration for the home-grown hospitality trend.
If your destination offers cozy cottages, barns or converted farmhouses as lodging, this 2026 travel trend is a shoo-in. Spotlight farm-to-table dining and hands-on activities. Think: collecting eggs, milking cows and apple picking. If you are located near a farm that offers authentic experiences, emphasize all the rural and rustic charm, tours, events and family-friendly options travelers can find close by before they rest their heads in one of your beds.
Tap into the top travel trends your audience is chasing with Dana Communications. Named 2025 Travel Marketing Agency of the Year by Hospitality Business Review, we’ll let you know what’s coming, what’s going and how you can get in on the action. Let’s talk tourism. Contact Lynn Kaniper at 609.466.9187 ext. 117.