There’s a Trip for That: 2026 Travel Trends

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There's a Trip for That: 2026 Travel Trends

May 15, 2026

Step right up, 2026 traveler: There's a destination for every "-ism" and "-cation" you can imagine.

Searching for comfort in a warming world? Travelers are seeking out cooler climes for adventure and to get to know the natural destination offerings. The island of Hokkaidō, Japan, is right for Coolcations, with pleasant temps and humidity, active volcanoes, and Daisetsuzan National Park, home to the Ezo brown bear, at its mountainous core.

Prefer to chill? Sedona, Arizona, remains a serene sanctuary for Calmcations, with L'Auberge de Sedona deepening connections to the mystical landscape with the Duck Pool on a red rock bluff. L'Apothecary Spa goes beyond the traditional luxury spa getaway, with floating sound healing, an outdoor relaxation garden, and massages outdoors in Sedona's breathtaking natural beauty.

More a creature of the dark? Destinations for Noctourism are as wide as the sky, from glimpsing Aurora Borealis from a Forest Suite at Holmen Husky Lodge along the northern border of Norway; to stargazing from Starlight Foundation-certified Tenerife in the Canary Islands, where Bahía del Duque has an observatory; and star bathing - "the new forest bathing," according to Condé Nast Traveler - in settings such as Six Senses Kanuhura in the Maldives, or with Cairngorm Excursions in the Scottish Highlands.

The U.S. will be a hot destination for travel on and off the beaten path in 2026, with a line-up of inspiration from its 250th anniversary, the 100th anniversary of Route 66, and the 2026 FIFA World Cup drawing travelers to every corner of the country. The San Francisco Bay area will host six World Cup matches, including a knockout round, at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, an hour south of the home field of the San Francisco City Football Club, the oldest community-owned soccer team in the U.S.

The World Cup hype has San Francisco Travel trumpeting the region's cultural, culinary, and tech highlights, including Waymo robotaxis, which numbered 800+ on city streets last August and have become a major tourist attraction. Meanwhile, the city remains delightfully walkable with the 34-mile-long Big Art Loop featuring 100 temporary large-scale sculptures, the 38-mile-long Roundabout urban hiking trail starting and ending at the landmark Ferry Building, and a self-guided Martini Trail with 23 locations en route. Betcha can't drink 'em all!

National Parks from rocky Acadia in Maine to the volcanic island and coral atoll-filled National Park of American Samoa will be major draws for domestic and international travelers through 2026. But take note: The National Park Service is charging non-US residents over age 16 an extra $100 to enter the top parks, including Yellowstone, Yosemite, and the Grand Canyon. With 63 National Parks and hundreds of National Battlefields, Historic Parks, Lakeshores, Memorials, Monuments, Preserves, and more - 433 destinations in total - there's no shortage of places to explore.

Prime among them is the second-westernmost National Park, Hawai'i Volcanoes, which hosted more than 1.4 million visitors in 2024. Nathan Kam, Senior Partner at Anthology FINN Partners in Honolulu, notes that geopolitical tensions have "crushed international visitation" from Canada to the Aloha State of late. "Other countries are telling us, 'It's not you, Hawai'i. It's just that we have our own values, so we're going to pause for now, but our travelers will come back, so don't worry.'"

Among hotels waiting to dazzle such travelers are those of the Marriott Waikiki Collection, with four recently renovated properties, including The Royal Hawaiian, set to celebrate 100 years of oceanfront luxury in 2027, and Moana Surfrider, A Westin Hotel & Spa, which marks its 125th anniversary as the first hotel in Waikiki in March. As Kam observes: "There are a lot of nice places to travel, but it's culture and traditions that make Hawai'i special."

Across the Pacific, Asia seems to be on every traveler's list for 2026. In Hong Kong, Managing Partner Cathy Feliciano-Chon of FINN Partners Asia Pacific highlights standout destinations.

First on her list is the Philippines, with Manila transforming from a stopover location into one of the hottest culinary scenes on the continent. In 2025, the capital's first Michelin Guide revealed one two-Star, eight one-Star, and one Green Star dining experiences, plus another 99 Bib Gourmand and Michelin Selected restaurants. The top rating went to Helm, whose modern tasting menu expresses the British/Filipino heritage and Spanish influences of Bedford, England-born Chef Josh Boutwood. Further south, the Province of Negros Occidental has been named the country's first Slow Food destination for its plethora of lush organic farms and innovative aquaculture operations. (Insider FINN tip: If you're headed to Bacolod City, the chicken inasal at Aida's Chicken is a "can't-miss".)

Vietnam is another bright light for travel in Asia in 2026, with a hotel development pipeline spanning major cities as well as coastal destinations such as Da Nang, Nha Trang, and Hội An, the last of whose walkable Ancient Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, charms with a melting pot culture, colorful architecture, and pedestrian-friendly streets. Come mid-2026, Hoi An Marriott Resort & Spa will offer a serene escape on Vietnam's central coast, commanding a prime position along Cua Dai Beach and blending modern sophistication with cultural charm, just minutes from the above-mentioned Ancient Town.

As for China, visa-free policies, new hotel developments, and creative culinary are attracting significant traveler traffic to Tier II cities such as Chengdu, Nanjing, and Hangzhou, where Mandarin Oriental will soon welcome guests for stays within a new mixed-use complex near West Lake, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The presence of the luxury hotelier will have a profound effect on Hangzhou, as it did when Mandarin Oriental opened in 2022 in Shenzhen, a special economic zone located a quick train excursion from Hong Kong. With Andaz also in Shenzhen and a new luxury Upper House from Swire Hotels anticipated for 2027, the transformation of the former industrial enclave into a destination is well underway.

On the Continent, "personal passions" are a prime motivator for Europeans scoping out travel destinations these days. "What unites a lot of people here is their drive for authentic experiences as opposed to ticking boxes," explains Amy Skelding, Managing Partner at FINN Travel UK in London. "It has almost become a badge of honor for Europeans to go to Iceland, say, and skip the Golden Circle in favor of the delights of the Westfjords in the north of the country, or to Paris and not visit the Café Dex Deux Moulins where Audrey Tatou waitressed in Amélie."

That means missing out on delights such as Iceland's newest geothermal wellness resort, Laugarás Lagoon, with 1,000 square meters of thermal waters, a 6.6-meter waterfall, a secluded grotto, and two swim-up bars, as well as French culinary classics from Duck Confit to Crème Brûlée. It does, however, widen opportunities for adventurous "good getaways" to destinations such as the island of Menorca, Spain, to secure trendy Palmaira sandals where they were born, or to Unexpected Ibiza Hotel on another Spanish island, which Skelding notes "has been zigging while other hotels are zagging, with 'pop-up' experiences all the time." Among clever attributes drawing travelers to the Unexpected are The Sin Box suite that tempts guests to share secrets, Flamentronic flamenco performances incorporating giant hand puppets and remote-control horses, and an endless string of top DJs who know how to keep a party going.

Whatever destination ends up in their sights, travelers want more than fun in the sun or shade. "I believe travel is becoming more purposeful, with people looking to brands that can actually provide rewarding experiences that go beyond completing bucket lists," says Chad Belisario of FINN Travel Los Angeles. "It's really about connecting to what they value and taking away something meaningful and mindful when they depart."

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