The travel industry is entering an exciting era. 2025 will see demand rebound past pre‑pandemic levels, while 2026 is shaping up to be another year of growth and transformation trappetravel.com. Trends such as sustainable tourism, authentic experiences, wellness travel and the rise of remote work are changing how people explore the world trappetravel.com. Looking ahead, the digital nomad boom and emerging destinations in the Global South promise to reshape the way we travel localyze.com. Below is a deep look at what’s driving travel now and what’s coming next.
According to Booking.com’s 2023 Sustainable Travel Report, more than 70 % of global travelers prefer eco‑friendly accommodations trappetravel.com. Airlines are investing in sustainable aviation fuel and electric planes; Lufthansa aims to make 5 % of its fuel sustainable by 2030 trappetravel.com.
Hotels are going beyond token gestures by adopting zero‑waste kitchens, solar power and comprehensive sustainability strategies trappetravel.com. Travelers can support these initiatives by choosing verified eco‑certified hotels and minimizing plastic use.
Artificial intelligence is now central to trip planning. Expedia reports that 60 % of its users rely on AI‑driven recommendations. Contactless technologies like biometric boarding reduce airport wait times by up to 30 %.
Virtual reality allows travelers to preview tours before booking, while smart hotel rooms automatically adjust temperature and lighting.
A Skift survey found that 55 % of travelers prioritize authentic experiences over traditional sightseeing. This shift has spurred demand for “slow travel,” where visitors stay longer in one destination to immerse themselves in local culture.
Destination “dupes” (lesser‑known alternatives to popular locations) are trending—searches for dupes were up 120 % in July 2024. Albania, for example, is a budget‑friendly alternative to Croatia and Greece.
Solo travel is booming; an American Express survey found that 69 % of travelers plan to take a solo trip in 2025 insightvacations.com.
The Global Wellness Institute forecasts that the wellness economy will grow 8.6 % annually to reach US$8.5 trillion by 2027. Travelers increasingly seek mental‑health retreats, nutrition programs and holistic experiences.
Medical tourism and “mental‑health tourism” are expanding, blending healthcare with leisure.
Upwork predicts that 41 % of the U.S. workforce will remain remote by 2025. Digital nomads tend to stay longer and spend more locally, prompting cities like Lisbon and Bali to create special visas and co‑working spaces.
Demographics: New data show that 49 % of digital nomads are aged 30‑39, 13 % are in their 20s and 38 % are 40+. The majority (61 %) are American, and 52 % hold a bachelor’s degree. Most nomads work in software development, digital marketing, design or data analytics.
The U.S. National Travel and Tourism Office projects that international visitor arrivals to the United States will rise 6.5 % to 77.1 million in 2025 and 10.2 % to 85 million in 2026, surpassing pre‑pandemic 2019 levels trade.gov.
U.S. Travel forecasts that total U.S. travel spending will grow 3.9 % to US$1.35 trillion in 2025, with strong domestic leisure demand; inbound international visits are expected to grow 8.9 % in 2026 ustravel.org.
Business travel costs are stabilizing. The CWT/GBTA forecast predicts that average global airfares will increase just 0.4 % in 2026 to US$708, while hotel rates will rise 1.2 % to US$166 travelweekly.com. Car rental rates and meeting costs are also expected to grow modestly.
Remote compliance: Governments will tighten tax and social‑security rules for remote workers, leading companies to adopt cross‑border compliance tools.
Hybrid nomads: More nomads will keep a home base and travel seasonally, especially families.
Global South rises: Affordability and visa‑friendly policies will attract nomads to Colombia, Kenya and the Philippines.
AI‑powered freelancing: Emerging roles such as prompt engineering and automation scripting will create new opportunities for tech‑savvy travelers.
Women and Gen Z surge: 2026 will see a higher share of female and Gen Z nomads thanks to online entrepreneurship and flexible careers.
Top 2026 destinations: Travel companies predict that Australia (Melbourne Comedy Festival), Canada (co‑host of the 2026 FIFA World Cup), Italy (Venice Carnival) and the Philippines (Sinulog Festival in Cebu) will be among the hottest destinations contiki.com. New Zealand’s Matariki festival, Peru’s Inti Raymi and Sri Lanka’s Esala Perahera also make the list contiki.com.
Under‑the‑radar regions: Eastern European countries such as Georgia and Albania, along with Colombia and Uruguay in South America, are gaining popularity due to affordability and cultural richness.
Mega events: The U.S. will host the 2026 FIFA World Cup (shared with Canada and Mexico), America’s 250th anniversary celebrations in 2026, and the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles—events expected to drive record visitation ustravel.org.
Bespoke travel specialists report that micro‑experiences—intimate encounters that connect travelers with local communities—are defining luxury journeys travelweek.ca.
Younger luxury travelers (Gen X and Millennials under 50) are seeking experiential trips that prioritize authenticity over price travelweek.ca.
Off‑season adventures and arts‑focused itineraries are becoming popular as travelers avoid crowds, embrace sustainability and seek cerebral experiences travelweek.ca.
Slower, deeper travel: Luxury trends emphasize rail journeys, longer stays in one location and immersion in local cultures scottdunn.com.
Choose eco‑friendly options: Look for hotels certified by reputable bodies and consider destinations with sustainable aviation and conservation projects.
Invest in experiences: Opt for tours that offer cultural immersion, community engagement and off‑season visits to avoid overtourism.
Plan for flexibility: Post‑pandemic travelers value flexible cancellation policies; research providers that allow changes without penalty.
Embrace technology: Use AI‑powered platforms to personalize itineraries and explore destinations virtually before booking.
Prepare for remote work logistics: Digital nomads should satay informed about visa requirements, tax obligations and insurance, and choose destinations with strong infrastructure.
