Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping the way we travel, taking over much of the logistical work that once made trip planning a chore. From itinerary design and real-time translation to mobile check-ins and personalised recommendations, generative AI is steadily becoming the default travel assistant.
Platforms such as Expedia and Booking.com have integrated tools like ChatGPT to help travellers build tailored itineraries with minimal effort, while translating menus, suggesting experiences and smoothing out everything from airport navigation to hotel formalities. As algorithms quietly remove layers of holiday admin, many travellers are finding that the planning stage—traditionally the most time-consuming part of a trip—has suddenly become quicker, smarter and noticeably less stressful.
This shift marks a profound change in travel behaviour. The next big companion on holiday isn’t a tour guide or a well-thumbed guidebook, but an algorithm working behind the scenes to anticipate needs and streamline decisions. AI-driven tools are now capable of interpreting a traveller’s mood or mental state, even recommending what kind of rest or recovery they might need based on their inputs.
With industry leaders accelerating the rollout of ChatGPT-powered features, the promise of near-frictionless travel—holidays with fewer choices to agonise over and less paperwork to manage—is becoming a reality. For many travellers, 2026 may be the year when planning a trip feels less like a task and more like a personalised service delivered by a tireless digital concierge.
Travel in 2026 is set to become quieter, smarter and far more intentional. Insights from global hotel groups, tour operators and trend forecasters point towards a year shaped by digital detoxes, AI-driven planning, hyper-personalised journeys and a renewed desire to escape crowded hotspots. As travellers rethink what holidays should deliver, the industry is preparing for shifts that blend technology, wellbeing and slow discovery.
Here are some defining travel trends for the year ahead:
Quiet-cations
The biggest movement of 2026 will be the rise of “quietcations”. Also called “Hushpitality”, these trips centre on silence, solace and recovery from digital fatigue. More than half the guests at Unplugged’s off-grid UK cabins now cite burnout as their motivation. From Sweden’s Map of Quietude—locations ranked by decibel level—to Oregon’s pitch-dark Skycave Retreats, quiet is becoming a luxury.
Take the road
Road trips are set for a revival. Hilton’s 2026 Trends Report highlights a surge in demand as travellers seek flexibility and lower costs, with 60 percent of Britons saying they plan to drive to save money. While premium operators are reimagining road trips as luxury experiences, the economic factor remains a major driver.
Surprise and mystery
Decision fatigue is driving demand for curated, surprise-driven travel. Mystery cruises, where passengers board without knowing the itinerary, are growing. In Argentina’s Mendoza region, Winemaker’s House & Spa Suites offers mystery stays that remove all booking decisions. For others—such as the Faroe Islands’ sustainability-driven self-navigating cars—the removal of choice is part of the experience.
Ultra-personalised trips
From menopause retreats to grief journeys and niche sporting tours, hyper-individualisation is booming. Trend analysts say these trips offer “threshold moments”—structured breaks that help travellers process major life events or passions through meaningful, curated experiences.
Lesser known places
Travellers are pushing past overtouristed hotspots in favour of lesser-known regions such as Toledo, Brandenburg, Northumberland and Wales. Curiosity and a desire for authenticity are steering people towards underexplored, culturally rich places.
Culture over pleasure
Literary travel and “set-jetting” continue to rise, powered by TikTok’s book culture and new film adaptations. Destinations linked to beloved stories—from Cornwall to Greece—are preparing for a wave of culture-seeking visitors who want holidays with narrative depth.