Skincare-focused trips, fantasy-themed getaways, and concerts are topping guest wishlists for 2026. That’s according to three major annual trend reports:
- Booking.com’s Travel Predictions 2026 (29,000 travelers across 33 countries)
- Expedia Group’s Unpack ’26 (24,000 travelers across 18 countries)
- Airbnb’s 2026 Predictions (based on first-party booking and search data globally)
Together, these reports paint a clear picture: 2026 travel trends are becoming more intentional, emotional, and experience-led. Below, we break down the key trends, highlighting common themes and what they signal for short-term rental managers looking to anticipate demand and adapt ahead of 2026.
1. Fantasy Led Travel Joins the Set-Jetting Wave
Screen-inspired travel is evolving. While set-jetting, booking trips based on TV shows and movies, remains strong, 2026 brings a new twist: guests are increasingly drawn to destinations that feel cinematic, magical, or emotionally resonant, even if they aren’t actual filming locations.
- Expedia says 81% of Gen Z and Millennials plan to book set-jetting trips. We already saw this in 2025, when Airbnb bookings in Koh Samui surged by over 500% after the premiere of The White Lotus Season 3,
- 71% of global travelers say they’d potentially be interested in visiting a destination that feels inspired by “romantasy” (castles, enchanted forests, fantasy‑style stays).
- Airbnb is seeing a parallel trend, but with a TikTok twist: Gen Z is booking 1–2 day high-energy escapes based on viral travel itineraries rather than
A property’s aesthetic or story can spark bookings just as powerfully as being a famous filming location.
2. Farm Stays, Rural and Nature Getaways Keep Rising In Popularity
Guests are prioritizing calm, restorative environments away from crowded cities. This is an evolution of the wellness trend from this year.
- Expedia: Interest in farm stays is up 84%. Vrbo: 300% spike in reviews mentioning “farm”
- Booking.com: Rising interest in nature-based hobbies like foraging and birdwatching
- Airbnb: Searches for U.S. national parks up 35%; rural/small ski town bookings outpace traditional hubs
What’s behind this dispersion? On the demand side, travelers are seeking quiet, value-rich, slower experiences. On the supply side, platforms like Airbnb have actively promoted nature-forward and offbeat destinations, helping steer demand away from highly regulated urban hubs while supporting local tourism partners and underutilized inventory.
3. Travelers Are Seeking Comfort, Skin-Care Wellness, and Learning
2026 guests are looking for tangible, health-driven environments.
- Booking.com: 80% of travelers want hydration stations, circadian lighting, and restful bedroom design.
- Airbnb: Experiences like croissant baking in Paris and wine tourism are topping bookings, especially in emerging culinary regions.
- Expedia: Rising demand for restorative escapes like skincare-focused stays and forest bathing retreats.
These preferences suggest 2026 bookings will increasingly be shaped by how a property feels to live in and what it enables guests to take away with them, whether that’s restored energy, a new skill, or just better sleep.
4: Events & Sports = Booking Triggers
Guests are planning trips around sports, concerts, and festivals.
- Expedia: 57% of all travelers (and 68% of Gen Z/Millennials) plan to attend sporting events
- Airbnb: 65% of top-searched 2026 travel dates align with events like Coachella, Olympics, FIFA World Cup
Whether it’s sports fans or concertgoers, event-driven travel is surging. Airbnb is already seeing booking spikes in Italy’s Olympic host regions, and we’ve seen this before, with Paris experiencing a 60% jump in bookings during Taylor Swift’s 2024 tour.
Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com are racing to capture this demand through partnerships with the NBA, FIFA, the Olympics, and sports-themed ad campaigns, and it’s cultural partnerships.
5. Solo Travel, Astrology & the “Earned It” Mentality
2026 travel is about how guests feel when they go.
- Booking.com:
- 47% of travelers may cancel or reschedule based on astrology, moon phases, or spiritual signs
- 75% book trips just because they’ve “earned it” (breakups, burnout, promotions, not just birthdays)
- Airbnb: Solo travel is booming. Triple-digit growth for places like Tromsø, Inverness, and Idyllwild among solo adventurers seeking “me time.”
This shift implies a rise in solo and short-notice trips, and a preference for listings that feel indulgent but don’t require a big occasion.
Overlapping 2026 Signals from Booking, Expedia, and Airbnb
Looking across Airbnb, Expedia, and Booking.com, several themes clearly converge:
- Emotion Over Location
Travelers are choosing trips based on feelings first, self-discovery, fandom, escapism, and then selecting destinations that fit. - Nature as a Strategy
Rural and nature stays are surging. OTAs are rewarding these listings with visibility boosts and campaign support. - Wellness = Function + Feeling
Broad terms like “relaxing” are out. Guests are hunting for specific wellness cues (sleep lighting, skincare fridges, forest air). - Culture as Currency
Pop culture, sports, and shared rituals (like astrology) are replacing traditional seasonality and demographics as booking motivators.
Final Thoughts: New Year, Familiar Patterns, And a Chance to Stay Ahead
Some trends, like wellness, nature, and screen-inspired travel, aren’t new. But they’re evolving. In 2026, guests aren’t just booking to relax or explore. They’re booking to feel something: calm, wonder, connection, renewal.
That’s why, as a property manager, your job isn’t to chase every trend; it’s to read what’s underneath. What emotion is driving the guest to book? What kind of moment are they looking for? The most successful listings will be the ones that reflect how travelers want to feel when they arrive.
In a year shaped by skincare rituals, forest air, set-jetting dreams, and event buzz, it’s not features that will set you apart; it’s storytelling, mood, and emotional clarity. That’s the real competitive edge in 2026.
Snigdha Parghan is a Content Marketer at RSU by PriceLabs, where she creates articles, manages daily social media, and repurposes news and analysis into podcasts and video content for short-term rental professionals. With a focus on technology, operations, and marketing, Snigdha helps property managers stay informed and adapt to industry shifts.
