238
7 minutes readContents
- Quietcations and digital detoxing
- The rise of generative AI
- Swapping cities for hidden gems
- The return of the road trip
- Set-jetting to movie sets
- Nostalgia-inspired travel
- Asia continues to dominate
1. Quietcations and digital detoxing
Most of us spend all day glued to our computer screens. When a vacation finally rolls around, we’re just as excited to put our “out of office” on. One of 2026’s biggest travel trends reflects this with the growth in “quietcations,” which is also fueled by the growing popularity of wellness retreats and outdoor adventures, including visits to national parks. This type of getaway is all about escaping the hustle and bustle of daily life and unplugging from our hyper-digital world.
This type of getaway is all about escaping the hustle and bustle of daily life.
Photo by Margaret.Wiktor on Shutterstock.com
2. The rise of generative AI
It’s impossible to escape AI – and whatever your opinions are on the use of artificial intelligence, you can expect to see this technology changing how you travel in 2026. While some travelers will start using ChatGPT to curate their travel itineraries, most travelers will get to experience the impact of AI in more practical ways.
Generative AI is removing the administrative work from travel, streamlining your digital check-in experience, and even supporting real-time language translation to make foreign countries more accessible. Other benefits we’re already seeing from the use of AI by the travel industry include paperless bordering passes, luggage tracking, and hyper-personalized booking experiences.
We’re already seeing from the use of AI by the travel industry.
Photo by Diego Thomazini on Shutterstock.com
3. Swapping cities for hidden gems
There are some destinations that attract millions of visitors every year, and it’s easy to feel like you’re just following the crowd to the latest “must-visit” place, whether it’s New York, Dubai, or Barcelona. In 2026, we’re predicting a change in this trend with travelers searching for off-grid places, from quiet little towns in the Italian countryside to visiting Cardiff and York as an alternative to London.
These places so attractive to travelers is that they offer something new
Photo by Pajor Pawel on Shutterstock.com
4. The return of the road trip
Eco-tourism has been on the rise for several years, and we’re all trying to become a little more environmentally friendly, while saving a bit of money along the way. Road trips are set to be one of the unexpected travel trends of 2026, with Gen Z and Millennials swapping planes and all-inclusive resort packages for road trips.
Although road trips first became popular in the ‘50s and ‘60s, today’s road trips are all about having the flexibility to take things at your own speed. If you’re looking for a personalized vacation in 2026, a road trip could be the perfect solution. You can plan a road trip focusing on experiences and attractions you’ve always wanted to do, whether it’s visiting Le Mans racetrack, getting tickets to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour, or exploring the gilded halls of the Palace of Versailles.
You can plan a road trip focusing on experiences and attractions you’ve always wanted to do.
Photo by EvaL Miko on Shutterstock.com
5. Set-jetting to movie sets
Have you ever watched a movie and wished you could be living inside of it? “Set-jetting” is a trend that’s been slowly growing in recent years, inspired by popular TV shows and movies. These destinations are seeing an increase in international visitors, with fandom popularity directly correlating with tourism growth.
One of the best examples of this for 2026 is the impact of Netflix’s “K-Pop Demon Hunters” on travel to Seoul. While South Korea has been seeing a steady growth in tourism, thanks to the popularity of K-beauty and K-dramas in Europe and North America, K-Pop Demon Hunters has led to a 25% year-on-year growth in flight bookings to Seoul since the movie’s release in June 2025.
“Set-jetting” is a trend that’s been slowly growing in recent years, inspired by popular TV shows and movies.
Photo by Flystock on Shutterstock.com
6. Nostalgia-inspired travel
Nostalgia is one of 2026’s defining trends, even outside of the travel industry. During times of uncertainty, we all long for the familiar comforts we grew up with, from the singers whose music was the soundtrack of our teenage years to the places we visited with our families as children.
Older Gen Z and Millennials are leaning into this nostalgia when booking their vacations, whether it’s planning a getaway to see their childhood favorite performers, like Hilary Duff, or rediscovering theme parks like Universal or Disney World. We all saw the impact of Taylor Swift’s “The Eras” tour on travel in 2023/2024, and it’s no surprise that other artists are starting to tap into this trend. If you’re a music fan, 2026 is the perfect year to plan a vacation around a concert or a music festival.
During times of uncertainty, we all long for the familiar comforts we grew up with.
Photo by Iv-olga on Shutterstock.com
7. Asia continues to dominate
If you’re a regular reader of the ZenHotels blog, you’ll know we’ve spent a lot of this year talking about Japan, from the best hotels in Tokyo to the highest-rated restaurants for Okonomiyaki in Osaka. Although Japan’s popularity is set to get even bigger in 2026, we’re seeing other destinations across Asia start to gain attention.
China has recently relaxed some of its visa policies, offering a 10-day visa-free policy for UK, US, and EU residents, to tap into the growing number of international travelers to the region. If you’re considering a trip to Asia in 2026, Taiwan is another great alternative to Japan if you want to avoid the crowds and take advantage of lower prices.
Taiwan is another great alternative to Japan if you want to avoid the crowds.
Photo by weniliou on Shutterstock.com
Make your 2026 vacation plans with ZenHotels
At ZenHotels, we’re here to help you book your 2026 vacations, whether you’re planning a road trip across Route 66 or if you’re a K-Pop Demon Hunters fan heading to Seoul. Are you looking for more options for your 2026 holidays? Explore top destinations on ZenHotels and get more expert-curated travel tips by visiting our blog.
47
