As people begin to plan for their 2026 trips and vacations, several travel reports show that more travelers are opting for quiet retreats over busy cityscapes. Mountain views and less mainstream destinations are expected to be popular next year.
In Expedia Group’s Unpack ’26: The Trends in Travel report, the company named Big Sky, Montana, as its Destination of the Year, with 92% increase in searches on the platform this year. According to the report, Big Sky has long been known for outdoor recreation, such as skiing and snowboarding in winter and mountain biking, hiking and rafting in the summer. The destination is also known for its growing dining scene with growth in family-friendly offerings, community events and cultural activities.
“Big Sky’s recognition as the top trending destination underscores what locals and longtime visitors already know. This is a place where adventure and awe-inspiring landscapes come together in a way that’s truly special,” says Brad Niva, CEO of Visit Big Sky. “We work hard to balance the benefits of tourism with our responsibility to protect what makes Big Sky unique, ensuring the visitor economy thrives while listening to and supporting the residents who call this place home.”
Expedia also listed Fort Walton Beach, Florida, on its Destination of the Year list, indicating that search increases were up by 45% for this spot. Jennifer Adams, Okaloosa County Tourism Director, told a local Fort Walton Beach digital publication that she attributes the town’s growing tourism to a shift in how the destination markets itself — it’s become more than just a summertime beach destination and is promoting the year-round experiences available at Fort Walton Beach.
In addition to these two trending destinations, travelers are expected to focus more on road trips in the new year as well as food-themed souvenirs, book-focused vacations and quiet retreats.
Hitting the roads
America’s 250th anniversary in 2026 is expected to spark interest in domestic road trips. Booking.com released its 2026 Travel Predictions and shares that classic road trips are appealing for their spontaneity and discovery. The report states that travelers are drawn to road trips that make travel more spontaneous and flexible (79%), helps them to meet new people (77%) and allows them to share driving responsibilities.
Some of these travelers will likely be headed to the Midwest in 2026. Priceline also released its, “Where to Next? Travel Trends Report,” revealing that the Midwest, in particular, will be a go-to destination for travelers. With quirky attractions, charming small towns and lively city centers, the region is becoming a hit for some travelers.
Stocking edible souvenirs
When considering souvenirs on travels, Booking.com has found that more travelers want their souvenirs to reflect personal taste, design flair and a story of place. Travelers are “increasingly seeking edible and design-led treasures that turn everyday kitchens into showcases of global culture.”
The report says more than two-thirds of travelers (68%) would consider buying design-led kitchenware or pantry items on vacation, from hand-painted spice jars to tins of artisan olive oil, with more than half (55%) saying they would even consider traveling to a destination just for its pantry products or kitchenware.
Booking.com says more than a quarter of its survey respondents say that edible souvenirs help them to relive a destination each time they cook, while 25% value how these items showcase local craft, sustainability and traditional methods.
Skyscanner, a travel app, also launched its Travel Trends 2026 report and finds that cultural tourism is on the rise, with more tourists wanting to shop for local edible souvenirs. The report states that 35% of global travelers plan to check out or shop at a local grocery store during their vacation and that more tourists want to “eat like a local.”
Book-bound travels
Several of the trends reports state that more travelers are hoping to use their vacations as reading retreats, and some are even using fictional book characters and destinations as inspiration for their travels.
Skyscanner’s report shares that over half (57%) of travelers have booked or would consider a trip inspired by literature, whether that involves tracing the footsteps of fictional heroes, planning a slow holiday around a reading retreat or finding unique book shops.
The “romantasy” genre has been trending and people are taking “Romantasy Retreats,” according to Booking.com. The company expects some people to turn their vacations into “immersive storyscapes in the year ahead, where enchanted castles, mystical forests, medieval banquets and masquerade balls set the stage for otherworldly romantasy retreats.” The study finds that 71% of global travelers would be potentially interested in visiting a destination inspired by romantasy.
With interest in reading on the rise, destination retailers may want to stock their shelves and even consider trending books to better connect with customers in the new year.
Quiet charm
More travelers are also seeking to escape busyness to quieter retreats in the new year. The slow travel movement is gaining ground, according to Expedia’s report. The study finds that 84% of travelers express interest in staying on or near a farm. Additionally, mentions of farm-related experiences in VRBO guest reviews have surged 300% year over year, with more people wanting to unplug and reconnect with nature.
Booking.com adds that 43% of travelers say they would vacation specifically to feel closer to the natural world (including 81% of Gen Z respondents), and one in four are turning to quieter hobbies on vacation, from insect spotting and birdwatching to fishing and foraging.
“By slowing down and letting nature take the lead, travelers are redefining what it means to recharge by finding clarity not in doing more, but in embracing less,” the report concludes.
