What travel trends should we watch for in 2026?

Travel in 2026 will revolve around authenticity, discovery, and sustainability. Travelers are seeking unique experiences, far from traditional tours, and favor destinations offering both cultural immersion and environmental respect.

Leading experts and platforms, Skyscanner, Expedia, Hilton, and Booking, have already identified the key trends that will shape the year ahead. Discover which experiences, destinations, and travel practices will make a difference in 2026.

Key Trends in 2026

In 2026, reports from Booking.com, Expedia, Skyscanner, MSC Cruises, Hilton, Virtuoso, and many other industry players show that travelers are seeking increasingly personalized, immersive experiences that align with their values, including slow travel, wellness, tailor-made stays, and alternative destinations. The coming year will be marked by the rise of ‘me-centric’ tourism, where artificial intelligence, customization, and the need for calm are reinventing trips, from destination selection to on-site micro-experiences.

The ‘Me’ Era and Hyper-Personalization

Travelers are seeking trips that reflect their identity, habits, and passions, rather than standardized packages. Reports from Booking.com, Expedia, and Skyscanner highlight a growing interest in trips focused on specific themes such as reading, beauty, sports, gaming, and wellness, enhanced by artificial intelligence and recommendation algorithms. Thus, 71% of travelers are drawn to ‘romantasy’ destinations, and 78% by AI-based suggestions or filming locations.

Customized Trips and ‘Made-for-Me’ Itineraries

Skyscanner and Expedia predict that customization will move from niche to norm, with flexible itineraries, layovers, extensions, upgrades, and private activities, built primarily around the ‘why I travel’. Online tools and artificial intelligence make it easy to combine flights, accommodations, ground transportation, and experiences, thus facilitating complex trips optimized for points and miles. Thus, 21% of travelers will choose accommodation that directly influences their destination.

Quietcations, Hushpitality, and the Need for Quiet

BBC Travel and Hilton highlight the rise of ‘quietcations’ and ‘hushpitality’: peaceful retreats, digital detoxes, secluded accommodations, and rooms designed to limit noise. Rest, mental health, and disconnection are becoming priority motivations, well ahead of the rush to discover tourist sites.

Slow Travel, Coolcations, and Alternative Destinations

Travelers are favoring longer, quieter stays, often in temperate climates, or ‘coolcations’, favoring train travel, road trips, and rural or lesser-known regions. According to Air Journal, interest in the United States is decreasing in favor of Japan, Central Asia, and other regions perceived as more natural, authentic, and pleasant. Thus, 40% of travelers plan to go hiking, according to Skyscanner.

Immersive Wellness, Longevity, and ‘Glow Travel’

Wellness is becoming a true immersion: optimized sleep, longevity programs, specialized spas, nature immersions, cold baths, breathing exercises, and much more. Booking.com and other observers also highlight the rise of travel focused on beauty and natural radiance, targeted treatments, skincare routines, and dedicated technologies, particularly popular with younger generations.

Discover 6 wellness experiences for a trip to Los Cabos, Mexico.

Pop Culture, Sports, and ‘Readaways’

Trips inspired by series, films, video games, or viral content, or ‘set-jetting’, continue to strongly influence destination choices. Reports also highlight the rise of sports-focused travel, events, marathons, active stays, as well as ‘literary getaways’, retreats focused on reading and literature, driven by online communities.

Discover our selection of hotels inspired by The White Lotus series.

Families, Kid-Influencing, and Multi-Generational Travel

MSC Cruises and Hilton note that children are increasingly influencing the choice of destinations, activities, and even all-inclusive resorts. Multi-generational travel continues to grow, both to share costs and to multiply shared experiences, thus stimulating demand for family cabins, suites, villas, and adapted services. Thus, 26% of travelers will travel with family, including in a multi-generational setting, and 23% will explore local grocery stores.

Quiet, Experiential, and Responsible Luxury

In the high-end segment, luxury is defined by emotion, privileged access, and personal transformation, rather than ostentation. Virtuoso, Forbes, and others highlight immersive experiences, ‘regenerative’ accommodations, off-season stays, private access to exceptional sites, and a strong cultural and gastronomic dimension.

AI, Algorithms, and ‘Whycations’

Technology and artificial intelligence are becoming essential at all stages of travel: inspiration, planning, translation, real-time itinerary optimization, and contextual recommendations. Hilton evokes the concept of ‘intentional travel’: travelers start with a precise motivation—to rest, reconnect, or challenge themselves—and AI helps align destination, pace, accommodations, and activities with this ‘why’.

Sustainability, Responsibility, and ‘Destination Dupes’

Even if price remains an important criterion, 2026 reports confirm an increased sensitivity to sustainability: off-season travel, less crowded destinations, eco-responsible accommodations, longer but less frequent stays . The concept of ‘alternative destinations’ continues: it involves offering places with a similar ambiance to iconic sites, but with fewer crowds and often more advantageous rates.

Road Trips, Local Travel, and ‘Home-Like’ Comfort

Hilton predicts a strong comeback for road trips, with particular attention to comfort—a good bed, included breakfast, pool, and space—during stops. Travelers are seeking more ‘home-like’ amenities in their accommodations, such as a kitchen, laundry facilities, or living areas, to reduce travel fatigue and better manage their budget. Thus, 79% prioritize spontaneity and flexibility, 77% enjoy meeting new people, 76% share driving, and 68% plan to buy dishes or provisions during their trip.

Read our guides on road trips in Canada and driving through Mallorca:

Traveling from Canada? Check out our 7-10 day Mallorca road trip itinerary instead, with the best Aeroplan points flight options.

Hottest Destinations in 2026

Skyscanner’s report highlights the destinations that have seen the largest increases in flight searches for 2026. Leading the way is Cascais,Portugal(+460%), which captivates with its seaside charm, golden sandy beaches, and historic elegance on the Atlantic coast. Additionally, 40% of travelers plan to go hiking, favoring natural and immersive destinations to experience authentic slow travel.

According to Booking

Cascais, Portugal (+460%): for its seaside elegance and golden beaches;
Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates (+401%): for its desert oasis and cultural heritage;
Maio, Cape Verde (+370%): for its pristine beaches and authentic serenity;
Reggio Calabria, Italy (+312%): for its wild coasts and Mediterranean cuisine;
Koror, Palau (+302%): for its spectacular diving spots;
Sanya, China (+284%): for its tropical beaches and luxurious hotels;
Toluca, Mexico (+267%): for its volcanoes and colonial markets;
Legazpi, Philippines (+261%): for its Mayon Volcano and breathtaking panoramas;
Miyako-jima, Japan (+257%): for its turquoise waters and underwater diving;
Tamarindo, Costa Rica (+182%): for its surf spots and tropical biodiversity;

According to Skyscanner

Skyscanner’s report, meanwhile, reveals different but equally attractive destinations for the 2026 traveler. Here are some of its top destinations:

Mũi Né, Vietnam: for its red and white dunes, kitesurfing, and enchanting landscapes;
Bilbao, Spain: famous for the Guggenheim Museum, its gourmet pintxos, and the Basque revival;
Barranquilla, Colombia: for its UNESCO-listed Carnival and enchanting cumbia rhythms;
Philadelphia, United States: known for its role in American history and its must-see events in 2026;
Guangzhou, China: for its Canton Tower, savory dim sum, and its stop on the Silk Road;
Sal, Cape Verde: for its pristine beaches, windsurfing, and peaceful relaxation moments;
Manaus, Brazil: for the spectacular meeting of waters and immersion in the Amazon jungle;
Münster, Germany: famous for its Gothic Altstadt and walks amidst greenery;
Kochi, India: for its Chinese fishing nets, art biennale, and enchanting backwaters;
Port Douglas, Australia: for its coral reef and the Daintree Rainforest.

Save With Points

With a travel points credit card, you can use these points to reimburse part or all of your vacation expenses, no matter what trend you follow in 2026.

Among the most popular loyalty programs in Canada are:

The best strategy to quickly accumulate points is to:

Take advantage of credit card welcome bonuses as a new customer
Maximize rewards on your daily purchases

Let’s take the example of American Express Membership Rewards points. It is possible to use them on any purchase by exchanging 1,000 points for a $10 statement credit.

The American Express Cobalt^® Card stands out as one of the most advantageous options in Canada for quickly earning points. Indeed, the main advantage of this card is the ability to earn 5 points for every dollar spent on food and beverages, including restaurants and bars nationwide.

Furthermore, you can also transfer your Membership Rewards points to another loyalty program such as Aeroplan, Marriott Bonvoy, or Hilton, if the value is worthwhile.

Other excellent credit cards with generous welcome offers include: the TD First Class Travel^® Visa Infinite* Card and the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card.

Finally, don’t forget that by using a credit card with no foreign transaction fees, you will save 2.5% on your transactions.

Our credit card selection
Credit card	Annual fee	Welcome offer
Scotiabank Gold American Express^® Card Apply NowCompare	Annual fee$120	Welcome offerAfter $7,500 in 12 months Up to 50,000 pointsEnds Nov 1, 2026 After $7,500 in 12 months	Apply NowCompare
Scotiabank Passport^® Visa Infinite +* Card Apply NowCompare	Annual fee$150	Welcome offerAfter $2,000 in 3 months Up to 35,000 pointsEnds Nov 1, 2026 After $2,000 in 3 months	Apply NowCompare
Scotiabank^®* Platinum American Express^® Card Apply NowCompare	Annual fee$399	Welcome offerAfter $10,000 in 6 months Up to 100,000 pointsEnds Nov 1, 2026 After $10,000 in 6 months	Apply NowCompare

Bottom Line

In 2026, travelers will seek authentic experiences, fully immersed in nature, exploring new destinations. Tourism will turn towards creativity and personalization, offering unique and tailor-made adventures that go beyond the standards of traditional stays.

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American Express Cobalt^® Card

American Express Amex Membership Rewards

Annual fee: $191.88
Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$255Total$255Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.: $255
Welcome offerGet 1,250 points after $750 in purchases per month for 12 months: Up to 15,000 points

The American Express Cobalt^® Card is a versatile American Express card, whether you want points for travel or cash back.

American Express Cobalt^® Card welcome offer

The welcome bonus is paid out monthly over your first 12 months. You earn 1,250 Membership Rewards points for each monthly billing period in which you charge $750 in net purchases to your card, in any category (1X, 2X, 3X or 5X). That adds up to 15,000 Membership Rewards points over the year, a welcome offer valued at $255.

Earning the full bonus means $9,000 in net purchases spread across 12 monthly billing periods. This offer rewards steady monthly spending rather than one large purchase.

You can use these points as statement credits on everyday or travel purchases, at the same rate either way: 1,000 points = $10.

You can also transfer them to Aeroplan, Avios (British Airways and Qatar Airways), Flying Blue, Marriott Bonvoy or Hilton Honors. With the full welcome bonus, that is a choice between:

15,000 Aeroplan points
15,000 Avios points
15,000 Flying Blue Miles
18,000 Marriott Bonvoy points

American Express Cobalt^® Card benefits

Here is what the card gives you, starting with the benefits cardholders use most.

5X points on eligible eats and drinks in Canada: groceries, restaurants and bars, and home food delivery. A spend cap applies.
3X points on eligible streaming subscriptions in Canada.
2X points on eligible gas, public transit and ride sharing purchases in Canada.
1 additional point on eligible hotel and car rental bookings made through American Express Travel Online.
1X point per dollar on everything else, with no category restrictions.
Points that hold the same value either way: 1,000 points = $10 as a statement credit, or a 1:1 transfer to several airline and hotel loyalty programs.
No minimum income requirement, as with every American Express Canada card.
Additional cards at no extra cost: the first and every other supplementary card is $0.
The Hotel Collection: a room upgrade when available, 12pm check-in and late check-out when available, and up to $100 USD in hotel credit on amenities charged to the room for a stay of two or more consecutive nights, booked through American Express Travel.
Front Of The Line^® presale and reserved tickets for concerts and theatre performances, plus offers and events curated for cardmembers through Amex Experiences.
A soft credit check before you apply: you can see whether you will be approved with no impact to your credit score. This applies to American Express personal card applications.

The 5X categories and where they apply

The 5X rate is the reason most people carry this card. In Canada it covers three kinds of merchants:

Groceries: Metro, IGA, Sobeys, Super C, Safeway, Whole Foods.
Restaurants and bars: sit-down meals, takeout and drinks.
Home food delivery.
Convenience stores (Couche-Tard, 7-Eleven): not part of 5X, 1 point per dollar.

The 2X rate covers gas stations such as Esso, Shell and Petro-Canada, along with public transit and ride sharing.

With the American Express Cobalt^® Card, you earn between 1 and 5 points per dollar:

Category	Points per dollar
Grocery (Metro, IGA, Sobeys, Super C, etc.)	5
Home food delivery	5
Restaurants and bars	5
Convenience stores	1
Streaming services	3
Service station	2
Transport	2
Travel	1
Other	1

That works out to a 1 to 5% return on those purchases. For example, if you spend $1,000 per month across groceries, restaurants and food delivery, you earn $50 back per month, or $600 per year from that category alone. Transfer the points to a program such as Aeroplan instead and the return can be higher.

You can also stack these categories with the hundreds of stores that offer 5x points.

American Express Cobalt^® Card insurance coverage

The card comes with a broad insurance package. The amounts below are the coverage limits; conditions, age limits and exclusions are set out in the certificate of insurance linked in the Insurance section above.

Travel insurance

Emergency medical: up to $5,000,000 for the first 15 days of a trip.
Travel accident: accidental death and dismemberment of up to $250,000 for you, your spouse and dependent children under age 23 when travelling on a common carrier (plane, train, bus or ship) and the tickets are charged to your card. Supplementary cardholders and their families are covered too.
Flight delay: up to $500 for necessary hotel, meal and sundry expenses bought within 48 hours when you are delayed or denied boarding for four hours or more and no other transportation is available. This $500 is an aggregate limit per occurrence, shared with missed connection and delayed baggage coverage.
Delayed baggage: up to $500 for essential clothing and sundries bought within four days when your outbound luggage is delayed six hours or more. This $500 is an aggregate limit per occurrence, shared with missed connection and flight delay coverage.
Lost or stolen baggage: up to $500 per occurrence for all insured persons combined, for checked or carry-on baggage and personal effects in transit, when the airline tickets are charged to your card. Within that limit, jewellery is capped at $300 per occurrence and golf clubs, including golf bags, at $250 per occurrence.
Hotel and motel burglary: up to $500 against the loss of most personal items if your hotel or motel is burglarized, when the stay is charged to your card.

Rental car insurance

Theft and damage coverage is included for a rental car with an MSRP, for its model year, of up to $85,000 excluding all taxes, for rentals of up to 48 days. To use it, decline the Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) or any similar option from the rental company and charge the full rental to your card. There is no cost for this coverage, and it replaces the daily insurance the rental company charges, usually $16 to $23 per day.

Mobile device insurance

Your device is covered for up to $1,000 per occurrence when it is charged to the card, for up to two years from the date of purchase. The payout is based on the depreciated value of the device, which falls by 2% of the purchase price for every completed month, less a 10% deductible. Theft and accidental damage coverage starts on the 91st day after purchase, because the first 90 days are covered by purchase protection.

Purchase protection and extended warranty

Eligible items charged to your card are insured against accidental physical damage or theft for 90 days from the purchase date, up to $1,000 per occurrence for all items combined. The card also extends the original manufacturer’s warranty by up to one additional year on eligible items, with indemnification limited to $10,000 per insured item and $25,000 per Cardmember per policy year for all items combined.

American Express Cobalt^® Card fees

Card fee: $15.99 per month, which equals $191.88 per year, for residents outside Quebec. Quebec residents are billed $191.88 per year.
Additional cards: $0.
Purchase interest rate: 21.99%.
Cash advance interest rate: 21.99%.
Foreign transaction fee: 2.5%.
Minimum income required: none.

Because the fee is billed monthly rather than in one annual charge, you can stop and restart the cost in step with how much you are actually using the card.

Legal

American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details and current product information, click the Apply Now link. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, we may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment.

Annual fee

Primary card$191.88

Additional card$0

Annual income required

Individual$0

Household$0

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

5xRestaurants
5xGroceries
3xStreaming
2xTransit
2xGas
1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$1,675

2nd Year Value$799

Transfer partners

AeroplanAirline
British Airways ClubAirline
Cathay Asia MilesAirline
Etihad GuestAirline
Flying BlueAirline
Hilton HonorsHotel
Marriott BonvoyHotel

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Up to $5,000,000 / 15 days

Travel medical (55-64)Up to $5,000,000 / 15 days

Delayed BaggageUp to $500

Lost BaggageUp to $500

Flight DelayUp to $500

Hotel BurglaryUp to $500

Travel AccidentUp to $250,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionUp to $1,000 / 90 days

Extended Warranty+1 years

Mobile DeviceUp to $1,000 / 2 years

Auto Rental Collision (primary)Up to $85,000 / 48 days

What will be the major travel trends in 2026?

In 2026, travel will focus on authenticity, sustainability, and personalized experiences. Trends include customized travel, quiet retreats (‘quietcations’), slow travel, alternative destinations, immersive wellness, quiet luxury, road trips, and AI-guided travel.

Which destinations will be trendy in 2026?

Among the trendy destinations according to Booking.com and Skyscanner: Cascais (Portugal), Al-Ain (United Arab Emirates), Maio (Cape Verde), Reggio Calabria (Italy), Koror (Palau), Sanya (China), Toluca (Mexico), Legazpi (Philippines), Miyako-jima (Japan), etc.

What types of trips appeal to families and multi-generational travelers?

Multi-generational travel continues to grow. Families are looking for suitable accommodations, family cabins, suites, villas, and activities for all ages. Approximately 26% of travelers plan to travel with family, including multi-generational stays.

What are the luxury trends for 2026?

Luxury is defined less by ostentation and more by emotion, privileged access, and personal transformation. It includes immersive experiences, ‘regenerative’ accommodations, off-season stays, and a strong cultural and gastronomic dimension.