Skyscanner unveils the seven trends set to redefine travel in 2026

Travellers in 2026 will be curating trips that feel more personal, purposeful and in tune with their passions, according to Skyscanner’s Travel Trends 2026 report released this week. The global travel platform has identified seven key trends that will shape traveller behaviour next year, drawing on its own booking data, consumer research, and insights from brands including Reddit, Malin+Goetz, AllTrails and Penguin Books.

Skyscanner CEO Bryan Batista said the findings highlighted a growing desire for meaningful and individualised travel: “Travel is about to get more personal than ever. Whether it’s building a trip around a must-stay ‘destination hotel’ or getting lost in a new favourite book on a reading retreat, travel will become more curated, grounded, and unique.”

Beauty, books, and belonging

Among the standout trends is ‘Glowmads’, where beauty culture influences itineraries. A third of global travellers want to explore local beauty rituals, with destinations such as Seoul remaining key hubs for skincare tourism. ‘Shelf discovery’ sees culinary curiosity shift from fine dining to “supermarket safaris” – exploring grocery aisles and local food markets to experience authentic, affordable culture.

Mountains are making a comeback with ‘Altitude shift’, as travellers embrace alpine escapes year-round for both snow and serenity. Meanwhile, ‘Bookbound’ highlights a literary travel boom, with more than half of travellers arranging trips inspired by novels, bookshops, and libraries.

‘Catch­ing flights and feelings’ reflects the blending of social and romantic discovery, with 55% of respondents travelling to meet new people. Solo travel is also soaring, with Skyscanner reporting an 83% rise in hotel searches using its ‘solo’ filter.

Family and destination-first travel

Multi-generational travel continues to expand under the ‘Family miles’ trend, with 31% planning trips that bring multiple generations together. And, for nearly one in three travellers, accommodation itself is the destination – ‘Destination check-in’ marks the rise of hotels as immersive experiences rather than just places to stay.

Looking ahead, Skyscanner predicts a more “curated, considered, and clever” travel landscape. With 84% of travellers expecting to go abroad as much or more in 2026, artificial intelligence (AI) driven planning tools and social platforms are set to redefine how people find, book, and experience their next adventure.

Flight-free travel platform Byway recently unveiled its 2026 travel trend report, revealing a sharp rise in overland holidays and new traveller habits shaped by sustainability, technology, and wellbeing.