The world of travel is constantly evolving, shaped by shifting cultural tides, emerging technologies, and the ever-changing desires of globetrotters. In an era where travel is no longer just about reaching a destination but about the experiences that define the journey, understanding these transformations is more important than ever. Enter Tripadvisor®’s first-ever Trendcast report—a groundbreaking exploration of the emerging travel trends reshaping the way we travel and a visionary forecast of what lies ahead.

Drawing from a wealth of global insights, including search and booking data, behavioral patterns, and over one billion user-generated reviews, the Trendcast report offers an unparalleled look into the future of travel. Sponsored by Travel Guard, a leading travel insurance provider, this inaugural edition is more than just a trends report—it’s a roadmap for travelers and industry leaders alike, illuminating the motivations, destinations, and experiences that are redefining the art of exploration.

Hilary Fischer-Groban, Head of Research & Insights, at Tripadvisor, said: “The Tripadvisor Trendcast isn’t your typical yearly trends report – it’s a glimpse into the future of travel and the consumer behaviors that we believe will shape our industry in the years ahead. Exploring first-hand insights from millions of travelers across the globe has revealed interesting trends and massive cultural swings shaping travel.

“Diving into the emerging trends and cultural shifts through our first-party data, the Tripadvisor Trendcast serves as a roadmap for travelers and industry leaders alike, inspiring the journeys of tomorrow.”

These trends look at the holistic experience of travel—from what’s motivating us to how we’re exploring and who’s coming with us. Check out the top emerging travel trends and where to experience them:

The Trend #1: Beauty Voyagers

Enter the next evolution of self-care as beauty-minded travelers are making trips out of far-off treatments you can’t get elsewhere—from local rituals to cutting-edge new technologies. Mentions of skincare treatments are up 87% in Tripadvisor forums, and beauty bookings are up 400%.

Where: Ayurvedic retreat in Sri Lanka to South Korean spas where snail mucin is as common as sunscreen.

The Trend #2: Time Tripping

What: Remote and hybrid work has redefined travel. With “work-cations” becoming mainstream, travelers are looking to maximize experiences outside the 9-to-5. Think of early morning tours of iconic landmarks like the Vatican or experiencing a city like Kyoto after hours on a late-night bike tour. Tripadvisor searches for ‘open late’ and ’24 hours’ have more than doubled (110%) over the last year.

Where: The Nautilus Maldives has thrown out the clock entirely—no schedules, no closing times—from a 2 a.m. deep-tissue massage to dining at their 24-hour restaurant.

The Trend #3: Written in the Stars

With the rise of trends like ‘WitchTok’ and interest in the mystical and cosmic realms reaching the mainstream, spiritual experiences are in demand, and people are willing to travel for them. Tripadvisor searches for bookings containing words like ‘astrology,’ ‘tarot’ and ‘full moon’ have shot up over 500% in the last two years.

Where: The Standard in London has rolled out monthly zodiac retreats, matching travelers with experiences tailored to their star sign, while Costa Navarino’s Mandarin Oriental now has crystal healing readings on the spa menu.

The Trend #4: Investigative Eating

Conversations around food sustainability are up 65% across reviews and forums as people seek out ethically sourced dining options on their travels. Attractions like farms and farmers’ markets are growing 1,400% faster than the broader food and drink experience category, as travelers take more interest in where their food comes from and how it’s made.

Where: From “steak-cations” at destination restaurants like Don Julio in Argentina to farm-stay visits for seasonal events like maple syrup tapping in Vermont, travelers want to get closer to the process.

The Trend #5: Nano Neighborhoods

Travelers are growing tired of the tourist trail and trying to cram multiple destinations into one trip. Instead, they’re taking their time to immerse themselves in specific neighborhoods, one street at a time, with neighborhood attraction pages on Tripadvisor growing 134% faster than the average for attractions.

Where: Sevilla’s Centro Histórico saw traffic grow by 97% year-on-year (+1,145% faster than the average attraction on Tripadvisor).  Chicago’s Wrigleyville saw a 72% year-on-year increase (824% faster than average).

The Trend #6: Solo Social

Solo travel isn’t just circumstantial anymore—it’s aspirational—but it doesn’t mean exploring alone. Turning independent adventures into shared experiences, over one-third (36%) of solo travelers said ‘meeting new people’ was a primary motivation for their trips and were 60% more likely to mention ‘ making friends’ in their reviews. The industry is catching up with the needs of solo travelers, with solo cabins on cruise liners to solo-friendly menus at hot new restaurants.

Where: Try this award-winning small group tour of London’s historic pubs or make new friends in far-flung places like Iceland’s full-day tour of the south coast.

The Trend #7: Global Gaming

Gaming is creating a whole new category of destination travel. With more than 3 billion online gamers worldwide, we’re not just playing in digital worlds anymore—we’re traveling to experience them in real life. Picture this: You’re trekking through ancient temples in China’s Shanxi province, and it hits you—this is exactly like the backdrop of the action RPG Black Myth: Wukong. Or maybe you’re exploring Iceland’s Breidamerkurjokull glacier, where the ice caves and frozen landscapes feel like you’ve walked straight into your favorite fantasy realm.

Where: After a day wandering Chengdu’s streets, you can retreat to the Jichang E-Sports Hotel for a Fortnite session in your room. Even major gaming tournaments are becoming travel destinations in their own right—when the League of Legends World Championship hit Seoul, tickets vanished within minutes as gamers hopped planes to watch their heroes battle it out in person.

The Trend #8: Sports Trek

The sports obsession is real. Whether we’re chasing quiet moments on a paddleboard, seeking adrenaline rushes at 10,000 feet, or traveling cross-continent to cheer on our team, travelers are going all in. Mega-events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup across the U.S. and the 2026 Olympics in the Italian Alps aren’t just competitions anymore—they’re launching pads for deeper exploration of host cities and cultures.)

But it’s not all about watching from the sidelines. Tour operators are crafting next-level adventures for the thrill-seekers: in heli-hiking, helicopters drop hikers at remote alpine trails too spectacular (and inaccessible) for regular trekkers, while sea walking takes underwater explorers in helmets to walk with marine life on the ocean floor. It’s the ultimate quest for bragging rights—or just our growing need to push limits.

Final thoughts

The future of travel is here, and it’s more dynamic, intentional, and transformative than ever before. Tripadvisor’s Trendcast report has unveiled a world of emerging travel trends that reflect our evolving desires—whether it’s seeking self-care through Beauty Voyagers, connecting with the cosmos in Written in the Stars, or diving deep into Nano Neighborhoods to experience local life. These trends are not just reshaping how we explore the world but also redefining why we travel in the first place.

So, where will these emerging travel trends take you?

Methodology

The Tripadvisor Trendcast is rooted in data from Tripadvisor’s global user base of the millions of travelers who use the site. This study looked at searches, reviews, clicks, page views, bookings, and conversations happening in Tripadvisor forums over the last two years to track shifts and trends. To explore the full report and learn more about the trends, visit: www.trendcast.tripadvisor.com