While you might see the same places pop up on social media or hear your friends talking about them, Expedia has revealed the travel trends for 2026.
Within the research, the travel company, along with Hotels.com and Vrbo, has come up with a list of places it predicts will be popular for travel next year and the ways in which people will enjoy experiencing the holiday destinations.
From the US to Sardinia, here are the predicted travel trends for 2026 from Expedia, based on real-time data from millions of daily visitors to the Expedia site and app.
The research highlights where global interest is rising fast, even in destinations that haven’t yet gone viral.
Expedia’s predicted travel trends for 2026 holidays
The research suggested the popular destinations of 2026:
Big Sky, Montana, USA (+92% search increase)
Okinawa, Japan (+71%)
Sardinia, Italy (+63%)
Phu Quoc, Vietnam (+53%)
Savoie, France (+51%)
Fort Walton Beach, Florida, USA (+45%)
Ucluelet, Canada (+44%)
Cotswolds, UK (+39%)
San Miguel de Allende, Mexico (+30%)
Hobart, Australia (+25%)
Fan Voyage
Expedia’s Fan Voyage trend reveals a surge in uniquely regional sporting experiences with 47% of Brits saying they’re likely to attend one while on a trip.
Best destinations for sports lovers:
Japan – sumo wrestling
Thailand – muay Thai
Canada – curling
South Korea – baseball
Australia – Australian rules football
USA – banana ball
Brazil – capoeira
Mexico – lucha libre
Ireland – hurling
Scotland – caber tossing
Hurling is a popular sport in Ireland(Image: Getty)
Hotels.com – salvage stays
It’s thought that next year, people will be looking for hotels that combine historical architecture with modern amenities.
In fact, Hotels.com’s 2026 Hotels of the Year list spotlights a surge in demand for upcycled retreats such as former schoolhouses, train stations, and banks that offer plenty of character and comfort.
The list includes the likes of Nine Orchard Hotel (a former bank) in New York, Bodmin Jail Hotel in Cornwall (formerly a prison) and Union Station Nashville Yards (an old train station) in Nashville.
Hotels.com – hotel hop
Another trend involves booking several hotels for one trip with more than half of British millennial travellers (59%) doing this.
The emerging trend is driven by travellers’ desire to:
Explore different neighbourhoods (58%)
Keep the trip varied and exciting (52%)
Hotels.com recommends hopping between hotels in London – start at Broadwick Soho and move onto The Petersham.
Okinawa, Japan is one of Expedia’s destinations of the year for 2026(Image: Getty)
If you’re heading for a more exotic summer trip, you could stay at Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina in Honolulu, Hawaii and move to Wayfinder Waikiki.
Vrbo – readaways
Vrbo reveals 91% of travellers are seeking getaways focused on reading, relaxation and quality time with loved ones.
If you’re a bookworm looking for a bookish stay, you could try:
Vrbo – farm charm
Another trend is farm charm since 84% of travellers are expressing an interest in staying on or near a farm.
Key activities include hiking trails (73%), animal interactions such as collecting eggs, feeding animals, or birdwatching (62%) and gardening or harvesting produce (42%).
Moorhall Farm in Worcester, The Haven at Hills Point Farm in Cambridge, Maryland, USA and Lakefront Farm House in Niagara in Lincoln, Ontario, Canada are among the accommodation options.
Expedia – set-jetting
First spotlighted by Expedia in 2022, this trend of travelling to destinations inspired by TV shows and movies continues to grow in popularity.
Wuthering Heights and Downton Abbey fans can head to Yorkshire to see where they were filmed while a trip to Samoa in Polynesia will help you channel your inner Moana as the Live Action movie was filmed there.
Six of these hotspots also meet the criteria for Expedia’s new Smart Travel Health Check – a first-in-travel framework from Expedia, inspired by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).
The Smart Travel Health Check recognises destinations that offer meaningful travel experiences and proactively manage tourism in a sustainable way, helping to ease the strain on the world’s most overvisited cities.
Recommended reading:
Ariane Gorin, CEO of Expedia Group, said: “Some of my most unforgettable travel moments come from immersing myself in local cultures, supporting local economies, and exploring less-travelled destinations.
“With 1 billion average monthly travel searches, Expedia Group isn’t just a travel marketplace – we’re a catalyst for positive change. We have a responsibility to shape the future of travel: one that’s smarter, more sustainable, and deeply respectful of the places we go.”
“Expedia responded to WTTC’s Call to Action on Destination Stewardship with the launch of the Smart Travel Health Check. This innovative initiative reflects the urgent need to embrace responsible growth models that safeguard communities, protect cultural and natural heritage, and ensure the long-term resilience of destinations,” added Christopher Imbsen, Vice President Policy at WTTC.
“By applying WTTC’s framework, Expedia is celebrating destinations that work collaboratively to empower residents, strengthen stewardship, and deliver richer, more meaningful travel experiences.”
Where will you travel to next? Let us know in the comments below.
