Skyscanner Unveils Travel Trends 2026: Personalisation Takes Centre Stage in the Future of Journeys

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Skyscanner has released its Travel Trends 2026 report, highlighting seven pivotal trends that will influence travellers’ behaviours in the upcoming year while forecasting broader shifts in the travel landscape.

Globe Trender reports that in 2026, travellers will be designing journeys that better align with their identities, passions, and values. Travellers are planning their trips with intentionality and purpose amidst ongoing cost-of-living pressures. These experiences are moulded by personal interests, key priorities, and a strong sense of what truly feels worthwhile.

Bryan Batista, CEO of Skyscanner, commented, “Our 2026 Travel Trends report reveals how travel is evolving into something profoundly personal.” “Whether it’s centring a vacation around Travel is becoming more tailored, authentic, and distinctive through experiences such as staying at an iconic ‘destination hotel’, immersing oneself in a beloved book during a reading retreat, weaving beauty rituals into the itinerary, or embarking on a multi-generational family adventure.

The report draws on Skyscanner’s proprietary data, combined with worldwide consumer surveys and expert insights from partners such as Reddit, Malin + Goetz, AllTrails, and Penguin Books, to pinpoint the seven defining trends for 2026.

Breaking Travel News has it that topping the seven trends set to redefine travel in 2026 is the beauty trend. A notable 27% of UK travellers express interest in exploring local beauty cultures, while 21% cite influences from TikTok and other social media platforms.

In 2026, skincare and beauty practices will transition from online trends to tangible travel elements. This includes in-flight beauty regimens and pilgrimages to renowned local beauty stores for sought-after products, making beauty an integral part of the travel plan.

While Seoul remains a beacon of global beauty culture, this trend focuses less on specific destinations and more on how beauty influences travel styles as a whole.

The second trend is food. Around 43% of travellers have ventured to foreign supermarkets during their trips. The concept of “eating like a local” now extends to browsing snack sections for hidden gems.

From quirky vending machines in Tokyo and 7-Eleven Slurpees to Iceland’s geothermal-baked bread, gastro-tourism is evolving rapidly. Travel for food now blends deep cultural immersion with savvy budgeting, providing an affordable, genuine window into everyday local life.

The mountain trend comes third. An impressive 71% of travellers are eyeing or actively planning mountain getaways for the summer or autumn of 2026. Next year, adventurers will seek higher ground—not solely for winter sports, but also for year-round tranquillity.

From the majestic Dolomites and Annapurna ranges to the rugged Canadian Rockies, alpine destinations are attracting visitors beyond peak seasons for serene escapes. Skyscanner’s data shows a 103% year-over-year surge in global hotel bookings for “rooms with a mountain view”.

The trend in the literature closely follows, with nearly half of travellers having booked—or contemplating booking—a trip sparked by literature. This could involve following the paths of fictional characters, enjoying a leisurely reading retreat, or hunting for the globe’s most enchanting bookshops and libraries, using books to unwind, bond, and rejuvenate. This literary influence is evident in booking patterns, with Skyscanner’s “library” hotel filter experiencing a 70% global year-over-year increase.

The family trend is notable. Over a third of travellers (39%) have travelled abroad, or considered it specifically, to connect with new people, whether for friendships or romance. As dating norms evolve and casual “catch-up” friendships evolve and gain traction, more people are abandoning dating apps in favour of real-life encounters, such as meeting online matches in distant cities, dating internationally, or finding companions while travelling. This trend peaks among Gen Z and Boomers, with “solo” hotel filter usage spiking 83% globally year-over-year.

About 16% of travellers have taken family trips, including those that span multiple generations. Multi-generational travel is surging, driven not just by cost-sharing but by the desire to reclaim quality time and forge enduring memories among parents, children, and grandparents. Families—particularly younger ones—are innovating in their travel choices, destinations, and styles, keeping budgets in mind amid many young adults still residing at home.

In 2026, the solo trend is expected to flourish, with approximately 27% of travellers choosing accommodations that enhance or embody the destination experience itself. Increasingly, trip planning revolves around standout stays rather than mere lodging.

Hotels are transforming from simple rest spots into central attractions, thanks to exceptional architecture, immersive designs, and captivating atmospheres.

Fuelled by younger travellers and social media’s “Dupe” culture, unconventional accommodations are reimagining global exploration without necessitating long-haul flights.

In 2026, travel’s horizon will be more curated, thoughtful, and innovative than ever. With 84% of people planning to travel abroad more in 2026 than in 2025, budgets will be optimised for deeper, more fulfilling adventures.

AI is also advancing from basic assistance to agentic systems, where interconnected tools handle complex needs such as itinerary inspiration and real-time support.

Social media and search engines now dominate as sources for ideas, research, and planning; more innovative search capabilities complement social platforms’ roles in highlighting trendy locales, specialised activities, and personalised suggestions in engaging ways.

Yet familiar patterns persist: over three-quarters (77%) of travellers return to the same spots for at least 20% of their vacations, often because of uncertainty about alternatives.

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In Nigeria, the state of travel trends as of 2025 reflects a dynamic evolution toward sustainability, cultural immersion, and tech integration, aligning closely with global patterns outlined in Skyscanner’s 2026 report. Domestic tourism is booming, fuelled by airport modernisation and promotions of local sites, while international leisure travel positions Nigeria as a key player in a projected $15 trillion global market by 2040.

Trends like adventure and outdoor escapes are rising, with a focus on authentic accommodations, responsible travel, personalised experiences via apps and affordable flights.  Spiritual and cultural tourism is gaining traction, leveraging Nigeria’s rich heritage alongside emerging sectors like bleisure (business-leisure hybrids) and safety-focused trips.

Hotel development is robust, with Nigeria ranking third in Africa’s 2025 pipeline, adding 7,320 rooms across 48 projects. 

Tourist arrivals are expected to reach 6.7 million by 2026, up from 6.1 million in 2021, driven by regional growth that is expected to triple to over $2 trillion.

Across Africa, 2025-2026 trends emphasise eco-friendly safaris, digital nomad hubs, family-oriented adventures, and personalised cultural experiences, with West Africa seeing 121% growth in tours to destinations such as Senegal and Benin. 

Sustainability and deeper immersions are key, alongside improved accessibility to remote areas and child-friendly wildlife activities in East Africa. International arrivals hit 690 million in early 2025, up 33 million from 2024, with Asia-Pacific and Africa leading the recovery.

These trends could profoundly impact Nigeria’s and Africa’s tourism sectors. Beauty tourism (Glowmads) might spotlight local Nigerian beauty cultures, such as traditional herbal rituals, attracting TikTok-influenced visitors and boosting wellness revenue, similar to Seoul’s model but adapted to African contexts. 

Gastro-tourism (Shelf Discovery) could elevate street food scenes in Lagos or Abuja, promoting affordable cultural dives and supporting local economies through authentic, budget-friendly experiences. Mountain escapes (altitude shifts) align with Nigeria’s Obudu Ranch or Cameroon’s Mount Cameroon, attracting year-round serenity seekers and diversifying from beach-focused tourism. At the same time, Africa’s highlands, like Kilimanjaro, could see off-peak surges.

Literature-inspired travel (Bookbound) may inspire trips to sites associated with Nigerian authors such as Chinua Achebe, fostering educational tourism and cultural preservation.  Social travel (Catching Flights and Feelings) and multi-generational journeys (Family Miles) could enhance community-based tourism, with Gen Z and Boomers driving solo or family trips, increasing social connections and shared costs amid economic pressures. Destination hotHotels (Destination Check-in) support Nigeria’s hotel boom by turning stays into attractions and reducing over-tourism through the promotion of unique, local vibes.

Overall, these could generate economic growth. Nigeria’s sector is projected to contribute significantly to GDP through jobs and foreign exchange, while promoting sustainable practices to combat overtourism. However, challenges such as visa restrictions must be addressed to capitalise fully. In Africa, they promise inclusive growth, with wellness and ecotourism minimising environmental impacts and elevating under-represented destinations.

Explore more insightful articles, trend reports, and destination guides on our website today to stay ahead of the travel trends!

 

FAQs

1. What are the seven key travel trends for 2026 according to Skyscanner?

The seven trends are Glowmads (beauty-integrated travel), Shelf Discovery (gastro-tourism via local snacks), Altitude Shift (year-round mountain escapes), Bookbound (literature-inspired trips), Catching Flights and Feelings (social and romantic international connections), Family Miles (multi-generational journeys), and Destination Check-in (hotel-centric destinations).

2. How is AI expected to influence travel in 2026?  

AI will evolve from simple assistants to agentic systems, integrating multiple tools for comprehensive support, from generating trip ideas to providing real-time assistance during journeys.

3. Why are travellers focusing on more personalised and purposeful trips in 2026?

With cost-of-living concerns persisting, travellers are prioritising experiences that align with their passions, values, and sense of “worthiness,” making trips more curated and meaningful than generic.

4. How do social media and search engines play a role in 2026 travel planning?

They serve as primary sources for inspiration, research, and planning, with social platforms highlighting trendy, niche spots in fun ways and more innovative search tools offering personalised recommendations.

5. What impact could these trends have on overtourism? 

Trends like off-peak mountain escapes and destination dupes may help distribute visitors more evenly, encouraging avoidance of crowded hotspots and promoting sustainable, less mainstream alternatives.