Why the Trend Is Emerging: Global Nomads Go Intentional. Glomads are emerging as travel shifts from rare, escapist holidays to an ongoing lifestyle choice structured around identity, values, and technology. Gen Z’s comfort with AI, focus on self-expression, and concern for sustainability are converging to redefine what “normal” travel looks like in 2026 and beyond.​ Structural driver: Remote work, digital tools, and flexible study/work patterns make extended travel and long s

Why the trend is emerging: Economic Accessibility Meets Geographic Curiosity Rising travel interest (9% increase) coincides with significant airfare decreases (3% domestic, 10% international), creating unprecedented accessibility to previously cost-prohibitive destinations while cultural events and improved connectivity unlock Eastern Europe and secondary markets. Economic pressure from competitive airline markets combines with post-pandemic wanderlust to redirect travelers t

Why the Trend Is Emerging: When Flavour-Led Travel Grows, Everyday Treats Replace Souvenir Shopping. Snack tourism is emerging because travellers want casual, low-pressure ways to “live like a local” without the cost or formality of fine dining. At the same time, social media and tighter budgets push people toward experiences that are photogenic, collectible, and affordable in any city. Structural driver: Cheap flights and flexible work have normalised short breaks where food

What is the Northern Lights Therapy Trend: From Spectacle to Treatment Sweden's Northern Lights Therapy initiative transforms aurora borealis viewing into evidence-based wellness intervention, marking tourism's evolution from aesthetic experiences to clinically-validated therapeutic treatments. The Medicalized Phenomenon : Sweden positions aurora borealis as prescribable therapy  rather than tourist attraction—Abisko National Park's 200-night annual visibility creates consist

What Is the “Railcation” Trend?: Slow Travel as Emotional, Sustainable Luxury Railcations represent a major travel shift in which trains become both the method and  the meaning of travel — a deliberate move toward calmer journeys, scenic immersion, reduced carbon impact, and deeper emotional resonance. • Nostalgia as a Modern Escape Mechanism Travellers are increasingly drawn to rail holidays because train journeys evoke comforting associations with childhood, cinematic lands

What Is the “Purpose-First Travel Reboot” Trend?: Whycations, Hushpitality, and Celestial Escapism Unite Travelers are shifting from location-based decision making to intention-based exploration, prioritizing emotional meaning, inner clarity, and transformative encounters over traditional sightseeing. Whycations as Purposeful Presence.:  Travelers increasingly choose destinations based on why  they want to go rather than where . This signals a cultural shift toward emotional

What Is the “New UK Travel Preferences” Trend: How September Peaks, Youth Culture, Rail Revival, Distance-Seeking Wanderlust & Flexible Cruising Reshape British Holiday Behavior The New UK Travel Preferences Trend is a transformation of seasonal rhythms, travel motivations, mobility modes, and experience formats across the British holiday ecosystem. This shift reflects a cultural moment where young adults exert unprecedented influence, climate-conscious exploration grows main

What is the Micro-Hospitality Movement Trend: The Rise of Efficient, Pod-Based Lodging Capsule hotels are pioneering a new segment of urban hospitality by offering compact, affordable, and highly efficient individual sleeping pods, fundamentally changing the definition of budget travel. Core Concept: Maximizing Comfort in Minimal Space A capsule hotel provides guests with individual pods or "capsules" that are efficiently designed and often no bigger than a bed. These compac

What is the Bleisure Trend: The Corporate Travel Hack: Maximizing the Blended Trip This section summarizes the core strategic trend where young professionals aggressively blend required business travel with personal vacation time, treating corporate funding as a launchpad for personal experience. Definition: The Blended Boundary Strategy. The "Bleisure" phenomenon is the strategic supplementing of a corporate trip with additional personal vacation time, a plus-one, or the le

What Is the Purpose-Driven Travel Trend: The Rise of Meaningful, Immersive Global Exploration Travellers are seeking journeys that express their values, expand their worldviews and deliver emotional impact. They increasingly choose destinations that offer rich culture, learning and connection, transforming travel from a getaway into a personal evolution. Long-Haul Cultural Journeys: Travellers are prioritizing far-flung destinations that offer deep cultural exploration.  Thes

What Is the Story-First Urban Tourism Trend: Cities Become Narratives, Not Just Places A transformative movement where urban destinations shift from selling landmarks to crafting immersive stories and experiences that travelers remember. Destinations are focusing on unique, local-rooted experiences that generate emotional storytelling rather than just check-the-box sightseeing. Instead of promoting generic city tours, cities are highlighting niche experiences—like a grandmoth

What Is the Roadside Motel Renaissance Trend: Design-Driven Nostalgia Meets Modern Hospitality A cultural and industry shift where old, once-forgotten motels are reborn as stylish, experiential boutique destinations. Roadside motels are being reimagined into design-led boutique hotels with strong storytelling and sense of place. What began as humble pit stops for road trippers are now fully transformed destinations offering curated design, elevated amenities, and intentional

What is the Trend: The Ascent of 'Luxury with Legacy' This trend signifies the luxury consumer's deep investment in travel that leaves a positive personal and cultural imprint, valuing meaning over mere materialism. Prioritization of Immersive Cultural Engagement.  Travelers are actively seeking profound, localized interactions, such as engaging with Indigenous culture in the Kimberley. This move indicates that the consumption of prestige is being replaced by the consumption

What is the Destination-Led Decisions  Trend: The Primary Driver of UK Holiday Bookings This trend, highlighted by the ABTA Holiday Habits survey, confirms that destination choice  is the single most powerful factor influencing UK holiday booking decisions, surpassing cost and timing considerations for the majority of travelers. Destination Dominance:  A leading 45%  of respondents prioritize the actual destination as the most important element when booking a holiday. This ma

What Is the Under-Radar Escape Trend: Cozy, Off-Grid Winter Getaways This trend reflects a growing desire for authenticity, calm, and connection as travelers turn from crowded winter hotspots toward intimate, lesser-known destinations. Quiet destinations win:  Instead of major ski hubs or luxury resorts, travelers are gravitating toward charming small towns and secluded stays that promise tranquility. Reset over rush:  Winter getaways are becoming acts of restoration, not per

What is the Glowcation Trend: Beauty as Travel Compass Glowcations reflect a shift in which travel is no longer just about place, culture, or sightseeing — it is about personal transformation . Travelers choose destinations based on skincare rituals, cult products, dermatological treatments, and aesthetic outcomes. Travel becomes an extension of one’s beauty practice, and beauty becomes the emotional logic for movement. Travel as Skincare Routine Destinations are selected to

What is the Intimate Journey: Experience Over Obligation Trend This trend captures the pivot by American travelers from predictable, obligation-driven travel (like large holiday gatherings or passive fine dining) toward intentional, high-engagement experiences  that foster deeper connections, primarily with immediate family, and offer authentic, hands-on cultural interaction. Prioritizing Primary Bonds:  There is a pronounced shift in holiday travel , with a growing share of

What Is the “From Scroll to Stay” Trend TikTok’s From Bucket List to Booking  study highlights a new era of travel behavior — one where inspiration, intent, and booking converge in a single scroll. Social discovery is no longer a top-of-funnel activity; it’s now a transactional ecosystem where emotion meets conversion. Inspiration Meets Instant Action. Travelers no longer bookmark destinations for later — they act on impulse. TikTok condenses the travel journey from months o

What Is the “Upscale Escape” Trend? – When Pricey Doesn’t Mean Foolish Luxury travel is not just surviving—it’s booming , even as inflation bites. High-end vacations are evolving from status symbols into deeply personal, purposeful escapes. Re-defined luxury:  No longer just private jets and gold-plated bathrooms—luxury now means unique experiences and meaningful connections. Beyond the elite club:  Younger travellers and aspirational travellers, not only the ultra-rich, are

What Is the “Passion-Powered Travel” Trend? – When Journeys Mirror Identity Skyscanner’s Travel Trends 2026  report reveals that next year’s travel won’t just be about destinations—it will be about self-definition . With budgets tighter and values sharper, travelers are designing itineraries around personal passions, emotional priorities, and meaningful memories  rather than traditional tourism. Purpose Over Postcards:  In 2026, trips are becoming expressions of self rather t