This year, travelers explored alternative trends such as “forest bathing” and “nocturnal tourism” to explore off-the-beaten-path destinations. Experts say almost nothing will change in 2026.
Earlier this month, Airbnb released its 2026 travel forecast. “Travelers will look to make the most of their vacations by rooting them in authentic and immersive experiences,” the company said.
“There’s a desire for people to get out, get off their phones, unplug, immerse themselves in culture, and really connect with people on a local, personal level,” Natalie Schalk, senior editorial director at Airbnb, told CNBC Make It.
“We’ve seen many of these in the past, but I think this trend is rooted in authentic, immersive, experience-based travel. This speaks to people’s desire to return to the real world and make connections with the real world.”
Airbnb’s travel predictions for 2026
Gen Z enjoys short trips
Airbnb found that Gen Z is taking 1-2 day international trips. This is largely thanks to TikTok’s viral “day trip” trend.
“Gen Z is taking short trips, and instead of waiting until they have a few weeks off from work, they may be looking to fly around or take a day or two off instead. They’re packing in a lot in terms of culturally rich vacations,” Schalk says.
“I think it speaks to the desire to get out and discover new places that offer authentic experiences that are not just typical.”
According to the report, Gen Z is choosing vibrant cities over relaxing beach towns.
Airbnb’s Trending Cities list was compiled using Airbnb internal data searches conducted in Q3 2025 into 2026 compared to Q3 2025 searches conducted by Gen Z travelers around the world in Q3 2025.
Buenos Aires, Busan, Argentina, João Pessoa, South Korea, Samui, Brazil, Taima Seio, Marrakech, Brazil, Mexico City, Morocco, Nakano, Mexico, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Stockholm, Sweden
mexico city, mexico
Ferran Light | E+ | Getty Images
Mexico City is one of the world’s oldest capitals and, with an estimated population of 22 million people, is the most populous city in the Western Hemisphere.
The country’s capital is full of great attractions, including the Frida Kahlo Museum, the Metropolitan Cathedral, and the National Palace. Just outside the city are the ancient pyramids of Teotihuacan.
Travelers still want to stay in nature and national parks
Airbnb has found that searches and interest in national parks around the world are on the rise. Nature was the top trend in 2025, but national parks will increase significantly in 2026, Schalk said.
“People are looking for great experiences while being able to spread out and avoid crowds while spending time outdoors.”
To identify trending locations, Airbnb analyzed internal data heading into 2026, comparing searches made in Q3 2025 with searches made in Q3 2024 by travelers around the world to 2026.
We also compared internal data for searches made in Q3 2025 for 2026 with searches global travelers made for emerging destinations in Q3 2024 for 2025.
Airbnb defines emerging locations as locations that have seen an increase in traveler interest over the past three years.
According to the report, searches for stays “near a national park” will increase by 35% in the US in 2026. The most booked experience category on the platform is nature and outdoor experiences.
destinations in the usa
Acadia National Park Jackson Hole, Wyoming (near Grand Teton National Park) Shenandoah National Park Great Smoky Mountains National Park Yosemite National Park
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Joshua Moore | iStock | Getty Images
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a national park in the United States that straddles parts of North Carolina and Tennessee. With over 12 million visitors annually, it is America’s most visited national park.
worldwide destinations
Crete, Greece (near Samaria Gorges National Park) Goa, India (near Bhagwan Mahavir Reserve and Molem National Park) Sardinia, Italy (near Gennargentu National Park) Jakarta, Indonesia (near Ujung Kulon National Park)
Goa, India, is one of India’s smallest states, located approximately 400 miles south of Mumbai. This place is known as India’s tropical paradise, thanks to its sandy beaches and forests.
Live event tourism is here to stay
Airbnb found that travelers prioritize trips related to cultural events such as the FIFA World Cup, Winter Olympics, Coachella, and Carnival.
According to the report, 65% of the most searched travel dates and cities in 2026 coincide with major global events.
“I think we’re really going to see people using these events to discover new cities, whether they’re fans or not. People are going on group trips or doing big Airbnbs where they can spread out and enjoy stays together,” Schalk says.
2026 Winter Olympics
Mattia Ozbot | Getty Images Sports | Getty Images
The 2026 Winter Olympics, officially known as Milano-Cortina 2026, will be held from February 6th to 22nd, 2026 in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy.
This year marks the 25th Winter Olympics and the fourth time Italy has hosted the Olympic Games.
Travelers are ditching couples and traveling alone.
As more people talk about solo travel on social media, Airbnb has found that travelers are seeking scenic escapes that offer a slower pace and more reflective experience.
Schalk says solo travel has been popular for years, but 2026 is all about visiting new places and skipping the typical major cities.
To find the most popular destinations for solo travelers in 2026, Airbnb looked at internal data on searches made in Q3 2025 for 2026, compared to searches made in Q3 2024 for 2025 by solo travelers around the world.
Portugal, Algarve, Costa del Sol, Spain, Florida, Florida Keys, California, Idyllwild, Inverness, Scotland, Isère, France, La Altagracia, Dominican Republic, North Carolina Mountains, USA, North Carolina Mountains, Norway, Tromso
Idyllwild, California
Welcome | iStock | Getty Images
Idyllwild, California is located in the San Jacinto Mountains, about an hour from Palm Springs. It was once known as one of America’s leading art towns due to the many galleries surrounding it.
Outdoor enthusiasts will love the variety of trails and activities available in Idyllwild.
The traveler is about to enter the kitchen
According to an Airbnb report, dining experiences are the most booked category on the platform.
The report found that wine tourism is also on the rise, as bookings and wishlistings in wine regions soared in 2026 based on Airbnb searches made in Q3 2025 compared to Airbnb searches made in Q3 2025 by global travelers.
Schalk said social media is a major factor in this trend.
“These viral videos are inspiring people to go see popular bakeries and try out trial classes. This means going beyond the classic city and really dispersing,” she added. “People are looking to do something a little different and want to learn something new.”
wine destinations
India, Bangalore Finger Lakes, New York, US Melbourne, Australia Traverse City, Michigan, US Var, France
melbourne, australia
Kieran Stone | Moments | Getty Images
Melbourne, Australia is the home of Victorian wine. Australia’s Victoria state is home to more than 600 wineries and is known for blends such as Chardonnay, Cabernet, Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc.
bakery destination
Türkiye, Istanbul Portugal, Lisbon Paris, Taiwan Taipei, Japan Tokyo
France is known as the pastry capital of the world, and Airbnb reports that it’s a popular destination for bakeries.
paris, france
Francesco Riccardo Iacomino | Moments | Getty Images
There are thousands of bakeries and pastry shops in the city. In France, for a bakery to earn the title of “boulangerie” (French bakery in English), it must bake bread in-house. The main products sold at boulangeries are baguettes and pain de campagne.
Want to give your kids the ultimate advantage? Sign up for CNBC’s new online course, “How to Raise Financially Smart Kids.” Learn how to build healthy financial habits now to set your child up for greater success in the future.
