The 10th edition of Booking.com’s Travel Predictions reveals that travelers in 2026 are embracing ultra-personalized journeys that reflect their quirks, goals, and passions
Travel has always been personal, but in 2026 it will move far beyond one-size-fits-all itineraries. In 2026, travelers will reject conventions and lean into passions that feel distinctive and truly their own. From adrenaline-fueled compatibility tests to mystical detours and stays in futuristic homes, every trip becomes a bold expression of individuality and identity: this is who I am, this is what I want, and this is what I love.
Now in its tenth year, Booking.com’s Travel Predictions spotlight how people want to experience the world. Over the years, these insights have revealed shifts in travel, from Cool-cationers chasing cooler climates given extreme heat to Conscious Travelers reshaping destination choices through social and environmental awareness. Looking ahead to 2026, the research shows travelers are eager to let their true selves shine, quirks and all, with technology playing a major role in making it possible for travelers to experience ultra-personalized trips with the people who understand them best.
Based on insights from more than 29,000 travelers across 33 countries and territories, Booking.com is using this research alongside its unique position as an industry leader in travel and technology to uncover ten defining trends for 2026. The findings reveal that vacations are becoming more individual, more experimental, and more unapologetically true to who travelers really are.
For centuries, books have been travel companions, carried in suitcases and read on trains, planes, beaches, and beyond. In 2026, with genres like romantasy exploding in popularity, the relationship between stories and journeys enters a new chapter as travelers step not just into novels, but into the fantasy worlds of dragons, fairies, and other mythical creatures.
Expect to see vacations become immersive storyscapes in the year ahead, where enchanted castles, mystical forests, medieval banquets, and masquerade balls set the stage for otherworldly romantasy retreats, with more than seven in ten (71%) global travelers saying they’d potentially be interested in visiting a destination inspired by romantasy. For many, this goes far beyond sightseeing. Over half (53%) are open to taking part in a role-play retreat based on their favorite fantasy game, book or film, with nearly a quarter (23%) saying they are definitely interested in making this part of their future travel plans.
Technology is turning the page of this new escapism, with nearly eight in ten travelers (78%) open to AI-powered suggestions that match fantasy aesthetics, recommend secluded “storybook” stays, or pinpoint real-world filming locations. No longer confined to fiction, fantasy will become a travel blueprint, offering enchanted escapes where imagination and adventure become the protagonists.