The biggest travel trends of 2026 aren’t just about ticking boxes or following someone else’s bucket list. According to Booking.com’s newly released 2026 Travel Predictions, Australians are entering an era of deeply personal journeys – holidays shaped less by guidebooks and more by who we are, how we feel, and what we need right now. It’s travel as self-expression, and the data makes that shift impossible to ignore.
Based on insights from more than 29,000 travellers globally, including 1,000 Australians, the report paints a picture of travellers who are emotionally curious, spiritually open, tech-comfortable and increasingly unapologetic about travelling on their own terms. The headline trend is clear: travel has officially become about you.
Testing Bonds, One Holiday at a Time
Relationships are being road-tested in a very literal way. Holidays are no longer just a reward or an escape; they’re becoming a real-world compatibility check. Two-thirds of Australians (67%) say they’d be open to travelling with a potential partner, colleague or even a new friend to see how well they click.
And this isn’t about a breezy long weekend. Many travellers are deliberately upping the stakes. Sixty-one per cent would choose remote destinations to test adaptability, while 62% are intrigued by trips with strict constraints like tight budgets, language barriers or limited connectivity. Travel, it seems, has become the ultimate group project – only with higher emotional stakes and far better views.
From Fairy Tales to Fate: Letting Fantasy and Astrology Lead the Way
If real life feels too loud, fantasy is offering an alluring alternative. With romantasy dominating bookshelves and screens, two-thirds of Aussie travellers (66%) say they’re keen to visit destinations inspired by their favourite fantasy love stories. More than half are open to immersive role-play retreats, while nearly a quarter say this kind of travel is firmly in their future plans.
For others, it’s not fantasy worlds guiding itineraries, but the cosmos. Astrology is officially influencing travel decisions, with 50% of Australians willing to change or cancel plans based on horoscopes or spiritual advice. Forty-six per cent would even rethink a trip if Mercury was in retrograde. Younger travellers are leading the way here, embracing moon phases, solstices and energy-rich destinations as part of a broader search for meaning and alignment.
The Rise of Quiet Travel and Slower Pleasures
In an overstimulated world, silence has become a luxury. Forty per cent of Australians say they want nature-focused escapes that help them feel closer to the natural world. Similarly, one in five are actively seeking quieter hobbies on holiday for reflection and stress relief.
This shift is fuelling interest in activities like birdwatching, fishing, foraging and slow immersion in nature. The appeal isn’t adrenaline or spectacle – it’s restoration. Travel is becoming less about doing more, and more about feeling better.
Souvenirs That Tell a Story
The humble souvenir is also being reimagined. Rather than mass-produced trinkets, travellers are opting for keepsakes that extend the experience long after the suitcase is unpacked. Nearly a quarter of Australians (22%) say edible souvenirs help them relive a destination every time they cook, while 23% value items that showcase local craft, sustainability and tradition.
Kitchen shelves are becoming memory banks, curated as carefully as photo albums, with food and design acting as tangible reminders of where you’ve been and how it made you feel.
Revisiting the Past, Powered by Tech
Nostalgia is no longer something we leave behind – it’s becoming a destination in its own right. Two-thirds of Australians (65%) say they would consider travelling to recreate a memory or photo using technology to pinpoint the exact location it was taken.
For many, these trips are deeply emotional. Nearly half say their motivation is to revisit a place with loved ones, while others are drawn to destinations that make them feel grounded, young or at home. Travel, in this sense, becomes a way of reconnecting not just with place, but with self.
Road Trips, Robotics and Reimagined Homes That Feel a Little Human
Even the way Australians move and stay is evolving. The classic road trip is being rewired. As a result, 82% are open to carpooling on holiday. And, more than half willing to use apps to connect with travellers heading in the same direction. Flexibility, spontaneity and shared responsibility are all part of the appeal.
At the same time, technology is being welcomed indoors. Seventy-four per cent of Australians are open to booking robotic-enhanced accommodation, whether that’s cleaning bots, robotic chefs or simply the novelty of staying somewhere that feels futuristic.
Glow-Ups, Getaways and Going Just Because
Wellness travel is also levelling up. Seventy-five per cent of travellers are open to booking glow-cations focused on personalised skincare treatments, often guided by AI. Sleep optimisation, circadian lighting and tailored wellness experiences are no longer niche – they’re expected.
Perhaps the most telling trend of all is this: Australians no longer need a reason to travel. Sixty-two per cent say they don’t need a milestone to book a trip. And, 68% justify holidays simply because they’ve worked hard and deserve it.
And where are Aussies heading? Booking.com’s list of top trending destinations for 2026 offers a global tour of inspiration. From the sun-kissed sands and kite-surfing heaven of Mui Ne, Vietnam (main feature image), to the architectural artistry and gastronomic delights of Bilbao, Spain, travellers are seeking both culture and adventure. Barranquilla, Colombia, pulses with carnival energy and coastal charm, while Philadelphia, USA, beckons with its history and modern city vibes. Guangzhou, China, promises bustling markets and hidden culinary gems, Sal, Cape Verde, invites laid-back island escapes, and Manaus, Brazil, tempts with rainforest adventures and riverfront marvels. Across Europe, Munster, Germany, offers quaint charm and historic streets, and Kochi, India, brings spice, art, and coastal intrigue.
Australia proudly makes its mark with Port Douglas, the only local destination on the global list. Nestled between the Great Barrier Reef and the ancient Daintree Rainforest, it’s a playground for ultra-personalised travel. Here, travellers can snorkel with turtles at Low Isles, zipline through the rainforest canopy, or sail to a secluded sand cay, all while choosing experiences that align with their mood, energy, and curiosity. It’s a destination where the natural world meets bespoke adventure, perfectly embodying the trends shaping 2026.
In 2026, travel isn’t about keeping up. It’s about tuning in – to yourself, to others, and sometimes, to the stars.
