Skyscanner just dropped its Travel Trends 2026 report, and it’s a fascinating glimpse into how travellers are reshaping the way we see, plan, and experience the world. The big takeaway? 2026 won’t be about ticking destinations off a bucket list—it’ll be about curating trips that feel deeply personal and worth every cent.

As the cost of living continues to play a key role in travel decisions, people are getting smarter, savvier, and more selective. They’re traveling for meaning, not mileage.

Bryan Batista, Skyscanner’s CEO, puts it perfectly:

“Travel is about to get more personal than ever. Whether it’s a destination hotel, a reading retreat, or a beauty-inspired journey, it’s all about crafting experiences that feel grounded and unique.”

Skyscanner’s insights are powered by its own data, combined with research from global partners like Reddit, Malin+Goetz, AllTrails, and Penguin Books. Together, they’ve identified seven key trends that are set to define 2026 travel behavior—and some of them are delightfully unexpected.

Glowmads: Where Beauty Meets Travel

Beauty isn’t staying home anymore. It’s boarding the plane with you. According to Skyscanner, a third of global travellers want to experience local beauty culture, and one in five say social media—especially TikTok—is shaping their travel choices.

From Seoul’s skincare sanctuaries to Japanese beauty vending machines, the “Glowmad” trend is less about destinations and more about how self-care shapes the journey itself. Expect to see in-flight skincare routines, wellness stopovers, and entire trips built around discovering iconic beauty rituals.

Shelf Discovery: Supermarkets as Cultural Adventures

Forget Michelin stars — 2026 is the year of supermarket safaris. Over a third of travellers plan to explore local grocery stores on their next trip, swapping fancy restaurants for snack aisles.

This shift blends culture and curiosity with affordability. Whether it’s sampling 7-Eleven delicacies in Tokyo or Iceland’s geothermal-baked rye bread, culinary travel is becoming more democratic, authentic, and fun. It’s food tourism for the people — and it’s deliciously relatable.

Altitude Shift: From Ski Slopes to Serenity

Mountains are no longer just for winter escapes. Skyscanner data shows a 103% year-on-year jump in hotel bookings using the “Room with a mountain view” filter. With 76% of travellers planning a mountain getaway outside winter, 2026 is about rediscovering the peaks for peace, not just powder.

Think summer hikes in the Dolomites, yoga in the Rockies, and off-season quiet in the Alps. As climate change reshapes travel seasons, mountains are becoming the go-to for year-round calm and cleaner air.

Bookbound: Reading Retreats and Literary Journeys

It seems escapism is going analog. Over half of travellers say they’ve booked or considered a literature-inspired trip. Whether it’s retracing the steps of fictional heroes, joining reading retreats, or chasing the world’s most beautiful bookshops, 2026 travellers are turning pages—and turning destinations into stories.

Skyscanner even notes a 70% global increase in hotel searches using its “library” filter. The rise of “BookTok” and cozy reading culture is clearly crossing over into travel, where solitude and storytelling meet.

Catching Flights and Feelings: Dating Goes Global

In a hyperconnected world, more people are using travel to spark real-world connections. 55% of travellers say they’ve travelled—or plan to travel—abroad to meet new people, whether for friendship or love.

With solo travel up 83% year-on-year, “Catching Flights and Feelings” captures a broader truth: travellers aren’t just exploring new places, they’re exploring new relationships. Dating apps, expat events, and travel communities are making it easier than ever to turn a trip into something more meaningful.

Family Miles: Togetherness Across Generations

The modern family vacation is evolving. About 31% of travellers plan multi-generational trips, uniting grandparents, parents, and kids for experiences that matter more than material gifts.

With tighter budgets and shared living situations still common among younger adults, families are pooling resources for group adventures. It’s practical, emotional, and deeply human—reclaiming time together in a fast, fragmented world.

Destination Check-in: When Hotels Are the Destination

29% of travellers say their accommodation now defines where they’ll go. That means hotels are no longer just a base—they’re the star of the show.

Think of Dubai’s architectural marvels, Scandinavian treehouses, or desert domes in Utah. Design, atmosphere, and social shareability drive decisions. As Skyscanner points out, younger travellers’ obsession with “dupes” and aesthetics means even boutique stays can inspire big adventures.

The Future of Travel: Smart, Curated, and Human

Looking ahead, 84% of people say they’ll travel abroad as much—or more—in 2026 than in 2025. Despite economic uncertainty, travellers are simply adapting, not retreating. AI will become the backbone of smarter, more personalized planning—evolving from “assistant” to full “agent,” managing everything from inspiration to in-the-moment help.

Social media and search will continue to merge into hybrid planning tools—blending data, discovery, and design in ways that feel intuitive and fun.

Final Thoughts: Skyscanner vs. the Field

While Skyscanner has set the tone with this data-rich, lifestyle-driven outlook, it’s worth noting how it fits into the wider market. Expedia’s recent trend reports emphasize value-for-money travel and sustainable tourism; Booking.com’s focus is on ”RegenTravel”—trips that restore rather than consume. Skyscanner, meanwhile, positions itself as the translator between desire and data—turning search behavior into cultural insight.

This report reinforces a key shift across the entire industry: travel is becoming less about “where” and more about “why.” It’s personal, purposeful, and powered by tech. And if Skyscanner’s forecast proves right, 2026 will be the year we travel smarter—and feel more at home wherever we go.