Top 7 Travel Trends Set to Take Over 2026, According to Skyscanner

Travel is undergoing a shift. With changing mindsets, technology, and global challenges, what people want from a trip in 2026 looks very different from just a few years ago. Skyscanner’s latest report reveals seven major trends — not just in where people are going, but how, why, and what they expect. Here are those trends, what’s driving them, and what travellers and industry players should watch out for.

1. Glowmads – The Beauty Trend

Travel and wellness are merging more closely. For many travellers, beauty rituals are no longer an afterthought — they’re part of the trip. From in-flight skincare routines to destination beauty culture (cosmetics shops, local beauty practices, spas), people want travel that nourishes not only their souls but also their skin. 

• About 27% of UK travellers are looking to experience local beauty culture.
  
  

• Asia (especially places like Seoul) remains a hotspot for beauty culture, but the trend is growing globally.
  

What to expect:

Beauty-focused itineraries; wellness + beauty retreats; hotels and flights offering beauty/wellness add-ons; social media influencers spotlighting local beauty regimes; destination shopping (beauty acts as a magnet).

2. Shelf Discovery – The Food/Culinary Trend

“Eat like a local” is being redefined. Instead of just fine dining or fancy restaurants, travellers are exploring the everyday: supermarkets, convenience stores, local snack aisles. These everyday food experiences are seen as authentic, cheaper, and deeply cultural. 

• 43% of travellers say they've explored local supermarkets while abroad.
  
  

• The joys of weird snacks, street food, vending machines, local grocery aisles — even simple things become part of the cultural discovery.
  
  

What to expect:

Food tours that include markets; cooking classes using local grocery finds; hotels partnering with local food brands; increased importance of “authenticity” in food choices; travellers favouring destinations known for strong local food culture over just flashy cuisine.

3. Altitude Shift – The Mountain / Nature Trend

Mountains aren’t just for winter sports anymore. People are planning escapes to high-altitude, remote, quiet, nature-rich places throughout all seasons — summer, autumn, even off-peak times. Tranquility, fresh air, peace — these are strong draws. 

• 71% of travellers indicate interest in mountain escapes for summer or autumn 2026.
  
  

• Hotel bookings for “room with a mountain view” have sharply increased.

What to expect:

More infrastructure in mountain regions (lodging, eco-resorts, trails); more travel guides highlighting less-known high-altitude destinations; interest in wellness/nature retreats; off-season travel to avoid crowds; equipment & gear tourism (e.g. trekking, hiking) grows.

4. Bookbound – The Literature Trend

Travel inspired by books, writers, stories. These could be trips tracing fictional characters, pilgrimages to literary sites, stays in iconic bookshops or libraries, reading retreats. Slower travel and reflection are part of this. 

• Nearly half of travellers have booked or considered a literary-inspired trip.
  
  

• Use of Skyscanner’s “library” filter for hotels is up about 70% year‑on‑year.
  
  

What to expect:

Literary-themed tours; book festivals as travel anchors; hotels/lodgings with libraries or reading nooks; marketing by destinations around famous authors; travellers favouring knowledge, reflection in journeys, not just sightseeing.

5. Catching Flights & Feelings – The Solo Travel Trend

Solo travel continues to grow, but with new flavours. It's not just about “me time” — people are travelling solo to meet others, to connect, to find community, maybe romance even. It’s social travel, even when alone.

• 39% of travellers say they’ve travelled or would travel abroad to meet new people.
  
  

• Use of the “solo” filter in hotel bookings has jumped 83% globally year‑on‑year.
  
  

What to expect:

More solo‑friendly amenities in hotels; more group/small community travel options where solo travellers can connect; safety, social spaces, and events geared toward solo travellers; travel apps/networks building features for connecting; marketing emphasizing personal growth, new friendships, experiences.

6. Family Miles – The Multi‑Generational / Family Travel Trend

Family travel is expanding in definition. Trips that include grandparents, parents, children are on the rise. It’s about creating shared memories, cost‑sharing, but also making sure the trip appeals to multiple generations. 

• Around 16% of travellers have taken trips involving parents, children, and grandparents.
  
  

• For India, the proportion is higher, indicating that many are travelling with older and younger family members together.
  
  

What to expect:

More family‑friendly itineraries; accommodations with flexible rooms/suite options; destinations offering activities for a variety of ages; convenience and accessibility become more important; packages intended for large/variable‑age groups.

7. Destination Check‑in – The Hotel / Accommodation Trend

Destinations are increasingly chosen because of the kind of places people stay, not just what the location offers. People are seeking unique, design‑led, Instagram‑worthy stays. The “place to rest” is also a major part of the experience. 

• Approximately 27% of people say they pick destinations based on where they want to stay.
  
  

• Distinctive architecture, memorable interiors, wellness‑amenities, views, and novelty are big draws.
  
  

What to expect:

Boutique hotels, unique stays (treehouses, eco‑lodges, converted heritage buildings); hotels promoting themselves as destinations themselves (restaurants, spas, gardens, events); travellers willing to spend more on memorable stays; design and atmosphere becoming major factors in choice of accommodation.

Overarching Themes & Implications

Putting these together, some larger shifts stand out:

• Personalization & Purpose: Travel is less about ticking landmarks and more about journeys that align with identity, wellness, connection, peace.

• Authenticity Over Spectacle: Local markets, local food, literature, quiet mountain escapes — people want real, not just Instagrammable.

• Year‑Round Travel & Off‑Peak Appeal: Mountains in summer/autumn, unique stays, destinations that are not crowded — people are avoiding peak season tourist traps.

• Tech & Digital Behaviors: Increased use of filters (solo, library, mountain view), confidence in using AI tools for planning, searching for value, being cost‑conscious.

What It Means for Travellers & Industry

For travellers:

• Think about your values and what you want from a trip: relaxation and reflection, connection, authenticity. These may guide better than chasing new “hotspot” destinations.
  
  

• Be open to less obvious destinations and accommodations.
  
  

• Budget carefully, but also invest in things that enhance experience — stay, wellness, meaningful moments.
  
  

For the travel industry (hotels, airlines, destinations):

• Emphasize what makes your place/stay special: design, beauty, wellness, local culture.
  
  

• Offer products/services for solo travellers, multi‑gen families, literature lovers.
  
  

• Marketing should appeal to emotions, stories, authenticity, not just “tourist attractions.”
  
  

• Use data & technology to offer filtered and personalized travel planning.
  
  

Travel in 2026 looks like it will be more meaningful, more reflective, and more immersive. It won’t just be about going somewhere—it’ll be about what you do when you get there, how you feel, and how the experience fits who you are.