As the world steps into 2026, travel is set to become more than just movement from one place to another — it’s becoming a bold declaration of identity. According to Booking.com’s 10th annual Travel Predictions report, next year’s travellers won’t settle for cookie-cutter itineraries. Instead, they’ll chase experiences that reflect who they truly are — blending fantasy, technology, nostalgia, and self-expression into every journey.
Based on insights from over 29,000 travellers across 33 countries, the research reveals that the future of travel is deeply personal, tech-driven, and unapologetically imaginative.
1. Romantasy Retreats: Escaping Into Enchanted Worlds
In 2026, travellers will blur the lines between reality and fiction. With the global surge of “romantasy” — romantic fantasy — experiences, holidays inspired by dragons, fairies, and magical realms are becoming the next big escape.
A remarkable 91% of Indian travellers say they’re eager to visit destinations inspired by fantasy worlds, while 79% want to participate in immersive, role-play retreats drawn from their favourite books or films. AI is also entering the dreamscape — nine in ten Indians are open to using AI to match them with storybook stays or real-world filming locations.
2. Humanoid Homes: The Future of Vacation Rentals
Say goodbye to basic Airbnb stays — 2026 will see the rise of robot-assisted vacation rentals. These “humanoid homes” will feature cleaning bots, robotic chefs, and AI-managed sustainability systems.
A staggering 94% of Indian travellers are open to booking tech-enhanced homes. For some, it’s about convenience — with 44% drawn to robotic cleaners and 37% to AI chefs. For others, it’s the novelty and bragging rights that come with staying in a home straight out of science fiction.
3. Turbulence Test: Putting Love and Friendship on Trial
Vacations will double as compatibility tests next year. 88% of Indian travellers plan to use travel to gauge how well they click with a potential partner, friend, or even colleague.
These “relationship test trips” will involve unconventional challenges — from remote retreats that test patience and teamwork to role-reversal trips where introverts take the lead. For many, travel will become a mirror revealing emotional endurance, flexibility, and chemistry.
4. Shelf-ie Souvenirs: Turning Kitchens Into Cultural Galleries
Forget fridge magnets — in 2026, souvenirs will be found in the pantry. Travellers are transforming their kitchens into cultural showcases, curating design-led and edible mementos from their journeys.
About 84% of Indian travellers plan to buy artistic kitchenware or local pantry products on vacation, while 33% say edible souvenirs help them relive destinations every time they cook. Expect handcrafted spice jars, olive oil tins, and ceramic mugs to tell travel stories long after the trip ends.
5. Roadtrip Rewired: Shared Journeys, New Connections
The timeless road trip gets a futuristic reboot. 97% of Indian travellers are open to carpooling on holiday, with 85% ready to use apps to find co-travellers on the same route.
For younger generations, road travel will merge adventure with tech. 87% of Gen Z are eager to use AI and self-driving vehicles to map scenic detours and secret trails. These AI-enhanced journeys will be less about the destination — and more about the spontaneous bonds formed on the open road.
6. Destined-ations: Travel Written in the Stars
Astrology will go from horoscopes to holidays in 2026. For many travellers, cosmic timing will guide where and when to go.
Nearly 74% of Indians would cancel a trip if advised by a spiritual guide, and 70% would reconsider plans based on horoscope warnings. Gen Z and Millennials, especially, are aligning their adventures with moon phases, solstices, and “energy-rich” destinations.
7. Glow-cations: Where Skincare Meets Travel Tech
Wellness travel is entering a new era — glow-cations, where skincare and science take centre stage.
With 93% of Indian travellers open to booking skin-specific vacations, AI-driven skincare consultations, smart mirrors, and climate-adaptive hydration stations are redefining relaxation. Many travellers will seek sleep optimisation suites equipped with circadian lighting to restore both skin and spirit.
8. Hushed Hobbies: The Rise of Quiet Travel
In a world of constant noise, travellers are seeking silence. In 2026, 56% of Indians say they’ll travel to reconnect with nature — through birdwatching, foraging, or fishing.
Nearly 91% are drawn to stays offering immersive nature-based hobbies, from butterfly spotting to learning forest foraging. Even here, technology lends a gentle hand — with apps identifying flora and fauna, helping travellers slow down and find mindfulness in simplicity.
9. PastPorts: Memories as Destinations
Nostalgia takes flight as travellers use technology to revisit their past — literally. 89% of Indian travellers want to recreate cherished memories by using AI to pinpoint the exact locations where old photos were taken.
These “PastPort” journeys aren’t just sentimental; they’re therapeutic. Whether revisiting childhood towns or reconnecting with old friends, travellers are blending emotional reflection with digital innovation.
10. Modern Milestone Missions: Travel That Celebrates YOU
From celebrating sobriety to marking a job promotion, 2026 will be the year of personal milestones. Forget traditional reasons — 71% of Indians say they don’t need one to take a trip.
Whether it’s toasting a breakup, flaunting a new outfit, or simply rewarding hard work, travellers are reclaiming travel as an act of self-celebration. It’s travel not for others — but for yourself.
The Future Is Personal
As Santosh Kumar, Regional Manager, South Asia at Booking.com, sums up, “As we step into 2026, travel is shifting from a simple getaway to a form of self-expression. Journeys are now built around interests that were once too niche to explore — from testing relationships to exploring fantasy worlds. At Booking.com, we’re evolving to make these deeply personal experiences possible for everyone.”
In 2026, the journey is no longer just about where you go — it’s about who you become along the way.
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