Get Ready for 2026 Travel with Expedia’s Insights on Set-Jetting, Farm Stays, and Hotel Hopping, Everything You Need To Know

Expedia Group’s Unpack ’26 report discusses the top travel trends anticipated to shape how we travel in 2026. With traveller behaviours changing and a focus on sustainability, Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo identify the most compelling trends, including Set-Jetting, inspired by hits on TV and in movies, to immersive farm stays and salvaged hotels, featuring their own historical character, to a new breed of modern escapes.

Top 2026 Travel Trends to Watch

In the latest Unpack ’26 report, Expedia uncovers seven key trends expected to define travel in 2026, based on insights from over 24,000 global travelers. These trends focus on creating unique, meaningful experiences while fostering a more sustainable approach to tourism.

Set-Jetting is back, with 81 percent of Gen Z and Millennial travellers planning getaways inspired by their favourite TV shows and movies. As a result, destinations featured in hit series like The White Lotus and Moana are poised to become major travel hotspots. Meanwhile, Fan Voyage celebrates the rise of immersive sports tourism, with travellers seeking authentic local sporting experiences, such as Sumo Wrestling in Japan or Muay Thai in Thailand.

Other exciting trends include Hotel Hop, where more than half of travelers (54%) are booking multiple hotel stays within a single destination, allowing them to explore different neighborhoods and unlock better deals. In response to growing interest in slow travel, Farm Charm is surging in popularity, as 84% of travelers express interest in staying on or near a farm, reconnecting with nature away from city lights.

Additionally, Readaways are quickly becoming a staple for travelers seeking relaxing getaways focused on reading and quality time with loved ones. This trend is complemented by Salvaged Stays, where former historic buildings such as train stations, schools, and prisons are being transformed into unique hotels, offering a blend of heritage and modern comfort.

Destinations and Hotels of the Year: New Hotspots to Watch

As part of the Destinations of the Year list, Expedia showcases rising hotspots that are attracting increasing global interest. Big Sky, Montana leads the charge, with a 92 percent surge in search volume, while destinations like Fort Walton Beach, Florida, Okinawa, Japan, and Sardinia, Italy also make the list.

For those seeking a unique place to stay, Hotels.com highlights the growing trend of Salvaged Stays, with properties like the Canfranc Estacion Royal Hideaway in Spain, a former train station, and the Bodmin Jail Hotel in the U.K., a repurposed prison. These hotels offer a perfect blend of history and innovation, appealing to travelers looking for one-of-a-kind experiences.

Sustainable Travel with the Smart Travel Health Check

As part of its commitment to responsible tourism, Expedia has introduced the Smart Travel Health Check, a framework that evaluates destinations based on their ability to manage tourism sustainably. This initiative highlights destinations that offer authentic, enriching experiences while mitigating the impact of overcrowding. Six destinations on the 2026 Destinations of the Year list, including Okinawa, Japan, and Ucluelet, Canada, meet these sustainable criteria, making them the ideal choices for responsible travelers in 2026.

The Future of Travel: A Smarter, More Sustainable Approach

With insights from Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo, the Unpack ’26 report highlights how travelers are prioritizing authentic experiences and embracing new ways to explore the world. From farm stays to Set-Jetting, the trends for 2026 reveal a growing demand for local culture, sustainable tourism, and creative, meaningful vacations.

Whether it’s exploring salvaged hotels, hopping between iconic hotels in Paris, or unwinding in literary-themed retreats, 2026 will be a year of transformation in travel. As the world evolves, these trends offer a glimpse into the future of tourism, with more personalized, immersive, and eco-conscious travel experiences shaping the industry.

Travel in 2026 is About Connection and Sustainability

The Unpack ’26 report states that the future of travel revolves around community, culture, and sustainability. In 2026, travellers will be searching for destinations that provide meaningful connections, whether through engaging in sports, staying on environmentally-friendly farms, or learning about the stories behind salvaged stays. For those wanting to embrace these changes and see the world in different ways, 2026 will offer travellers infinite options to refresh their relationships with the culture of the destinations they are visiting and contribute positively to the places they go to.

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