5 travel trends to help shape your 2026 bucket list

Travel has come a long way since the days of ‘fly and flop’. With burnout now reportedly more of an issue than ever, is it any wonder that people want more than scorched skin from their holiday? A new wave of vacationing is aimed at a happier, healthier, more fulfilled traveller – so make sure your passport’s in date and get packing.

It’s time to carpe diem. Ever since Covid and its attendant restrictions, there’s been a move towards ticking things off wishlists; towards not waiting for ‘one day’ to arrive – and, according to experts, this attitude is set to grow even stronger in 2026.

Interestingly, this outlook isn’t just about cost or distance or even iconic landmarks – although these are all things that might influence that “let’s go for it” mindset. 

There’s also the girls’ trip that you’ve always wanted to plan; the romantic getaway that didn’t end up happening or making good on a promise to travel with your mum.

Whether it’s a weekend away or a long-haul trip, using your annual leave or taking a sabbatical – 2026 is the year to kick your travel plans into action. 

Research shows that people are suffering from a ‘human connection deficit’, spending less time with friends, family and even strangers than ever before. 

The rise of remote working almost certainly has something to do with this, as does increased use of social media platforms: after all, an emoji is no substitute for a hug.

But with so many of us having hectic and conflicting schedules, as well as different means and resources, arranging travel with loved ones can be tricky.

Consequently, the popularity of organised group travel is on the rise, with providers such as Intrepid Travel giving people the security of holidaying with like-minded people in immersive and meaningful ways. 

Whether the relationships formed are long-lasting or only for the duration of the trip, these options offer experiences that help travellers feel more connected to others, as well as to the destinations themselves. 

As temperatures continue to rise in summer destinations, the passion for ‘coolcationing’ shows no sign of abating – but ‘noctourism’ is on the rise as well.

Put simply, travellers are seeking sights and activities out of daylight hours, whether this is chasing the Northern Lights, heading to Dark Sky Reserves or planning trips to coincide with rare astronomical events. Accommodation is also evolving to meet this demand, with stargazing pods and the like, becoming increasingly popular.

This is perhaps unsurprising, since stargazing not only provides a spectacle away from the heat of the day, but also a sense of perspective and self in the vastness of the cosmos. Studies demonstrate that feeling awe and ‘smallness’ is beneficial for mental health and stress reduction, as well as an increased sense of gratitude.

But it’s not only looking upwards that informs this trend. Because animals, as well as humans, often prefer to avoid daytime heat, some of the best wildlife spotting occurs at night – and camps are offering more moonlight safaris as a result. 

In marine environments, too, there’s an appetite for witnessing nocturnal phenomena, such as bioluminescence. Elsewhere, some landmarks are now offering after-dark viewings, such as Petra by Night and the Taj Mahal. Less heat, fewer crowds – looks like it’s time to become a night owl.  

As travellers move away from booze’n’buffet-fuelled excess on holiday, the interest in wellness and rejuvenation continues to rise. 

As well as holistic practices, such as meditation and massage, travellers are looking to connect spiritually with themselves and their surroundings, learning from the wisdom and customs of local people: think ayurveda in India; traditional Arabic and Islamic medicine in the Middle East and Temazcal (sweat lodges) in Mexico.

But there’s a move towards looking forward to medical developments, as well backwards to ancient knowledge. Scientific advances are moving into the holiday space, and those seeking a reset could find themselves perusing a brand new type of spa menu. 

Will it be a hyperbaric chamber or a cryotherapy facial today? Red light therapy or binaural sound healing? And that’s, of course, after you’ve had the best night’s kip of your life, thanks to signing up for a sleep programme or learning how to tap into lucid dreaming with the help of AI. Next stop – a holiday to a suspended animation vault. See you in 2764.

Travellers have paid more attention to the eco-worthiness of their holidays in recent years, with many choosing not to fly or being careful about making sure that their tourist dollars actually benefit the locals in their destinations.

This focus on sustainability, plus the rise of the slow fashion movement, is causing many travellers to eschew the fast-fashion #vacaywardrobe and holiday souvenir tat in favour of buying one-offs at their destination. 

Even more significantly, there’s a move towards building a trip around the existence of an antique or flea market, rather than simply stumbling across one – for example, brocante-hopping in France, El Rastro in Madrid or Antwerp’s BrocAntwerpen.

As well as the thrill of the find and the ‘green’ aspect of buying pre-owned, such adventures create greater opportunities to connect with locals – and the items purchased are bound to hold unique memories. Come equipped with cash and a few haggling phrases.