Planning your travels for next year? Skyscanner recently released their predictions for 2026, and the future of travel looks more personalized, experiential, and surprisingly literary than ever before. Here’s what we learned from diving deep into their latest report.

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Social media is reshaping how we travel, and beauty trends are leading the charge. According to Skyscanner, 31% of travelers have tried to keep hotel beauty products, while 24% shop duty-free specifically for skincare and makeup. The real story here? Gen Z is driving a new kind of wellness tourism, with 33% planning to seek out beauty treatments and skincare stores while traveling in 2026—compared to just 8% of baby boomers.

This isn’t entirely new territory. Think of it as an evolution of the old Hot Springs resort culture, just with a modern, TikTok-influenced twist. Whether you’re hunting down Korean beauty products or scheduling an in-flight skincare routine, beauty is becoming a legitimate travel motivator.

Here’s a statistic that surprised us: 55% of American travelers say they always or often visit local supermarkets when traveling abroad. We’re completely guilty of this ourselves—from hunting down Old Dutch popcorn twists in Canada to exploring the mind-blowing pasta aisles in Italian grocery stores.

Why do we love this? It’s one of the best ways to understand local culture without spending restaurant prices. You get to see what locals actually eat, discover regional specialties you can’t get at home, and feel like more than just a tourist passing through.

Mountain vacations aren’t just for ski season anymore. A whopping 80% of travelers are considering mountain escapes for summer or fall 2026, drawn by peace and quiet (62%), clean air and cooler weather (60%), and beautiful remote accommodations (57%). Hotel bookings using Skyscanner’s “room with a mountain view” filter are up 103% globally.

While we’ll admit we’re more water people than mountain people, we can absolutely see the appeal of escaping to higher elevations for fresh air and stunning vistas.

This trend feels straight out of a book lover’s dream. Whether you’re tracing the footsteps of fictional heroes, visiting beautiful bookshops and libraries, or planning a reading retreat, literature is shaping travel decisions. Fifty-five percent of travelers have booked or would consider booking a trip based on literature.

Think Outlander fans descending on Scotland, or the surge of visitors to locations mentioned in trending books. The Gilmore Girls effect is driving interest in New Haven, Connecticut for the show’s 25th anniversary celebrations in 2026.

Family travel isn’t new, but it’s definitely growing. The data shows 52% of Gen Z adults have traveled with their parents (let’s be honest—probably because parents are paying), while 37% have done three-generation trips with parents and grandparents. Hotel bookings using family filters are up 66%.

There’s real value in these shared experiences, even if the youngest generation is getting a financial assist. Travel creates memories that last across generations.

Solo travel is booming, but with an interesting twist—people are traveling alone specifically to meet others. Fifty-three percent of travelers have gone or considered going overseas specifically to meet people for friendship or dating. It’s less about being alone and more about being open to new connections without the distractions of home.

Hotel bookings using the solo filter have jumped 83% globally, proving that independent travel isn’t slowing down anytime soon.

Finally, travelers are choosing destinations based purely on the accommodation. Fifty-six percent of travelers have picked where to go based solely on where they’d stay. This is partially a comeback of the classic resort vacation model, but with a modern twist—people want unique, Instagram-worthy properties that set the tone for their entire trip. We can relate to this after our stay at the amazing Hotel Per La in Los Angeles.

Looking for specific destinations? Skyscanner highlights Limon, Costa Rica (searches up 286%), Jaipur, India (up 107%), and Bodrum, Turkey as trending spots. For budget-conscious travelers, São Paulo, Singapore, and Venice are showing significant flight price drops.

The bottom line? Travel in 2026 will be more personal, more experiential, and more about meaningful connections—whether that’s with a good book, a local market, or fellow travelers on the road. Where will you explore next year?

Thanks for stopping by! Check out our Go See Do Explore Podcast, available wherever you listen to podcasts. To read about some of our previous trips, visit my Trips Page. If you like my photos be sure to “like” my Facebook Page and follow me on Instagram! For my list of gadgets to make your travels easier, click here.