Global Travel Trends in 2026 promise to be diverse and interesting.
2026 is shaping up to be one of the most transformative years in modern travel. Luxury consumers are moving away from speed, status and excess, and turning toward experiences that feel restorative, intentional, and deeply personal.
From slow travel to self-renewal, 2026’s greatest journeys transcend location. They are about living well, not just travelling far.
The modern luxury traveller doesn’t want to escape life—they want to experience it more deeply, quietly, and consciously. Whether through the coral gardens of the Maldives, the forests of Estonia, or the vineyards of Istria, this new era of travel invites us all to move through the world with more intuition—and less interruption.
According to the Virtuoso Luxe Report 2026 and industry forecasts from Condé Nast Traveler, Expedia, and Skift, travellers are seeking slower rhythms, richer meaning, and a greater connection to people and place. Shoulder seasons are replacing summer peaks, mindfulness is replacing materialism, and the spirit of exploration—revived after years of flux—is stronger than ever.
As the world plans its next wave of great journeys, these eight trends will define how, why and where we travel in 2026.
1. The Rise of the Shoulder Season
If 2025 was the year of revenge travel, 2026 will be defined by refinement and restraint. Travellers are increasingly prioritising quieter, cooler seasons to escape crowds and overexposure. According to Virtuoso, 73 percent of luxury advisors report clients now prefer off-peak escapes, citing a desire for sustainability, authenticity, and better value.
Italy remains perennially popular, yet travellers are shifting from August to April and October for more tranquil stays. One standout is The James Suite Hotel Firenze 1564, a Renaissance palazzo reimagined as a 14-key art-filled haven perfect for slow exploration of the city.
Beyond Europe, The Residence Tunis offers effortless access to UNESCO sites like Carthage and the Medina of Tunis, now better connected through new year-round flights from EasyJet. Meanwhile, in the Maldives, Sirru Fen Fushi invites guests to experience its “secret water island” in blissful solitude during the quieter months—proof that true luxury is space, not spectacle.
2. From FOMO to Slo-Mo
After years of haste and over-scheduling, travellers are embracing “slo-mo travel”—a shift from fear of missing out to a celebration of doing less, better. Multi-generational families and seasoned explorers alike are choosing longer itineraries with fewer stops and deeper purpose.
Aqua Expeditions’ Aqua Lares mirrors this emerging philosophy. The new vessel offers 14-night voyages linking the Seychelles and Tanzania to the Arctic, unveiling pristine coastlines and remote communities for just 30 guests. Mornings begin with sunrise yoga or paddleboarding, and nights are reserved for stargazing and storytelling—a pace that invites awe rather than exhaustion.
3. Elevated All-Inclusive: Unlimited Luxe
Once synonymous with convenience, the all-inclusive model has been redefined by luxury resorts worldwide. Today, “unlimited luxe” means every aspect—from transfers to tasting menus—is all-encompassing yet deeply personal.
Leading the charge is Paradisus Fuerteventura, on the Canary Islands’ Sotavento Beach. Its Destination Inclusive concept folds local culture directly into the guest experience—whether that means private surf lessons on crystalline lagoons or curated hikes across volcanic ridges.
Guests can move seamlessly from wellness workshops to mixology sessions without ever having to reach for their wallet, freeing them to fully disconnect and immerse. Forbes calls this “the new freedom of luxury”—effortless abundance without excess.
4. The Healthy Wealthy: Holistic Wellness Takes Centre Stage
Wellness has evolved beyond yoga mats and smoothies. It’s now about full-spectrum vitality: longevity, emotional balance, and regenerative living. According to American Express Travel’s 2026 Trend Report, wellness journeys are one of the top motivators for both Millennials and Boomers alike.
COMO Shambhala Estate in Bali remains a lodestar for transformational travel, with new longevity retreats rooted in Ayurvedic medicine.
Similarly, Estonia’s remote Eha Resort, opening summer 2026, merges forest bathing, nutrient-led dining from Michelin Green Star chef Peeter Pihel, and seasonal rhythms for radical rejuvenation. In the UK, Whatley Manor hosts bi-annual retreats blending bio-hacking, shamanic healing, and sound therapy—showing that the path to luxury often begins within.
5. Solo and Self-Discovery Journeys
Solo travel continues to soar, particularly among affluent women. A recent Skyscanner analysis reveals a 57 percent year-on-year rise in “solocations,” driven by the desire for freedom, reflection, and self-growth. Safety and substance rank highest among motivators.
In Cyprus, AMARA Limassol lets guests feast across four signature restaurants—from Nobu’s Matsuhisa to Giorgio Locatelli’s Locatelli—without stepping beyond the resort’s serene perimeter. For solo travellers craving depth, Shangri-La and Mandarin Oriental Bosphorus in Istanbul curates hands-on cultural workshops: Turkish marbling, coffee craft, and baklava artistry.
And debuting in spring, Conrad Athens – The Ilisian offers a futuristic haven with a rooftop running track, the city’s largest pool, and a state-of-the-art longevity clinic, positioning Athens as Europe’s next great wellness capital.
6. Conscious Luxury: Sustainability with Soul
Sustainable travel is no longer an ethical extra; it’s becoming an expectation. In Booking.com’s 2026 Sustainable Travel Report, over 80 percent of respondents said they prefer properties that authentically support local communities and conserve natural habitats.
Luxury brands are responding with integrity. Montenegro’s Mamula Island Hotel restores a 19th-century fortress with marine conservation programs, while Mombo Camp in Botswana’s Okavango Delta partners with wildlife rangers to monitor big cats in real time.
Certified carbon-neutral safaris, plastic-free mini-bars, and brands like Six Senses setting new standards for regenerative luxury define the movement for 2026—proving eco-conscious can still mean extraordinary.
7. Tech-Enhanced Human Touch
Artificial intelligence and digital concierge services are transforming the guest journey—but not replacing the human one. Smart personalization is unlocking unprecedented precision: AI-driven itineraries pre-empt guest desires, and augmented reality brings heritage sites to life in new ways.
At Capella Sydney, discreet in-room systems adjust lighting and music to guests’ circadian rhythms, while The Peninsula Tokyo has introduced digital translation assistants so travellers can navigate cultural nuances effortlessly. But the ultimate luxury is still empathy—technology that amplifies human hospitality, not replaces it.
8. Undiscovered Europe and Emerging Edens
While perennial favourites—Italy, France, and Greece—retain their allure, travellers in 2026 are chasing underexplored frontiers that balance beauty with breathing space.
Croatia’s Villa Dubrovnik, recently reborn after a stunning redesign by Studio Arthur Casas, offers an insider’s view of the Adriatic. Just north, the peninsula of Istria beckons with olive groves, truffle forests, and family-run vineyards—Europe’s answer to the slow food movement.
In Greece, Zélia Halkidiki lures guests with private olive grove dinners under the stars, while destinations such as Albania’s Riviera and Portugal’s Alentejo are being tipped by Condé Nast Traveler as “next-generation escapes”—where authenticity still pulses untamed.
