2026 global travel trend predictions: Farms, castles and film-inspired destinations
As Americans enjoy all that fall has to offer, from leaf-peeping to apple-picking adventures before the busy holiday rush, some experts are sharing early travel predictions for the year ahead and what to expect for trips, destinations and more in 2026.
Experts share early 2026 travel trend predictions
The Expedia Group, which encompasses travel technology platforms including price tracking and booking sites like Expedia, Hotels.com and VRBO to name a few, shared an exclusive early look at its Unpack 2026 global travel forecast report with "Good Morning America" on Tuesday.
Similarly, Booking.com shared an early glimpse at its annual Travel Predictions, which in its 10th edition surveyed over 29,000 travelers across 33 countries and found that travelers in 2026 will likely embrace ultra-personalized journeys that reflect their individual preferences and passions.
The platform identified 10 trending predictions with destinations in which people can ditch cookie-cutter itineraries and opt for more individuality.
"Travelers are expected to stress-test relationships, dive into fantasy worlds, turn kitchens into culinary souvenirs, and reimagine the classic road trip with smarter tech and bigger dreams," Ben Harrell, managing director of Booking.com U.S. said.
The rise of slow travel, where to experience farm charm
More people are looking to explore the outdoors and focus on destinations that can help them feel calm, which for some may include an aspect of "farm charm," which Expedia defines as "unplugging and reconnecting with nature."
This includes activities such as hiking, interactions such as feeding farm animals or collecting fresh eggs, gardening or harvesting produce.
The slow travel movement, according to Expedia, has seen an uptick recently, with 84% of travelers expressing an interest in staying on or near a farm.
Wildflower Farms, Auberge Resorts Collection in the Hudson Valley, which recently earned One Michelin Key, is a prime example where guests can enjoy this trend firsthand among 140-acres of sprawling meadows and woodlands.
The hotel boasts a robust lineup of activities all rooted in proximity to nature, like wildflower arranging, botanical-cocktail or baking classes and Forage the Farm experience where guests pick produce with one of the farmers and cook with the executive sous chef.
The property anchored with a massive fire pit on the Great Porch overlooks the Shawangunk Mountain ridge, where visitors can escape to for the day in a Tour and Taste tailored journey. Guests get the keys to one of the luxury Mercedes-Benz vehicles, complete with a farm-fresh picnic and follow a curated route to nearby lakesides, meadows or mountains of their choosing to move at their own pace and reconnect with the land.
"Mentions of farm-related experiences in Vrbo guest reviews have also surged 300% year-over-year, signaling how travelers are searching for starlit skies over busy city lights in 2026," the Unpack 2026 report states.
Set-jetting to famous film, TV locations
The term "set-jetting" first made it into the spotlight in 2022 and translates to visiting locales where TV shows or movies have been filmed -- see the Thailand travel boom following the season 3 premiere of the hit series "The White Lotus," which is still going strong, according to Expedia.
Expedia projects this binge-to-bucket-list travel trend could lead to a potential $8 billion industry in the U.S. alone, with accelerated interest from 53% of travelers who have expressed a desire to take a set-jetting trip and 81% of Gen Z and Millennial travelers planning getaways based on what they've seen on screen.
Hushed hobbies to re-root with nature
As a parallel to the rise of slow travel, Booking.com also noticed travelers' interest in quieter hobbies
This prediction is about finding solitude from the everyday hustle by connecting with nature and getting hands on with hobbies like fishing or walking a vineyard.
25% of travelers look for opportunities to take part in these 'quieter' hobbies on holiday with another 21% eager to find a destination specific for natural sensory experiences like the sounds of birds chirping, streams flowing or the smell of rain.
Two Auberge properties in California's famed grape-growing region are perfectly situated among the 16 Napa Valley appellations where visitors can easily discover the geographic and climatic features firsthand.
Auberge du Soleil in Rutherford and Stanly Ranch in Napa, which were recently awarded prestigious Michelin 3 Key and 1 Key awards respectively, offer opportunities for guests to get rooted in nature and immerse in the historic landscape.
Romantasy trips inspired by novels
Page-turning books could spark another new travel trend, according to Booking.com, which found new interest in reading retreats or a so-called "romantasy" trips, where destinations are inspired by a favorite romance or fantasy novel.
Genre-inspired itineraries could include castles, forests and ancient ruins that set the stage for the 71% of global travelers who are open to visiting a destination inspired by "romantasy."
Glow-cations for skin care savvy getaways
The combination of wellness and travel aren't exactly new, but Booking's latest report found that 80% of travelers would opt for a "glowcation," in which they’d try out at least one beauty or wellness treatment while away.
A getaway glow up could also include body movement analysis and personalized exercise routines to help combat specific health issues or to reduce the impact of jet lag.
One destination that Booking.com cited for world-class wellness, Port Douglas in Australia where properties like Temple Resort & Spa offer specialty skin care-centric treatments.
Plus, the destination is home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites -- the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest, the world’s oldest rainforest.
