Travel becomes a mirror of identity

Booking.com’s 2026 predictions reveal a new era of hyper-personal journeys shaped by identity, technology, and imagination

In its 10th annual Travel Predictions report, Booking.com highlights how 2026 will mark a turning point toward ultra-personalized travel. From fantasy-inspired retreats to AI-guided nostalgia trips, travelers are rewriting the rules to make every journey an extension of their individuality, creativity, and self-expression.

Key takeaways

• Self-expression through travel: 2026 travelers will design itineraries around personal passions, quirks, and identities, rejecting standard tourist paths for hyper-individual experiences.
• Fantasy becomes reality: More than 70% of travelers are drawn to “romantasy” escapes — immersive storybook experiences inspired by fantasy novels and films, with AI suggesting destinations that match these aesthetics.
• Homes of the future: “Humanoid homes” will emerge, featuring cleaning bots, robotic chefs, and smart sustainability systems — with 77% of travelers open to staying in such tech-enhanced rentals.
• Travel as compatibility test: Two-thirds of global travelers plan to use trips to test relationships — from romantic to professional — through role reversals, challenges, or off-grid adventures.
• Kitchen souvenirs: Culinary mementos will replace magnets, as travelers collect design-led and edible souvenirs that celebrate craftsmanship and culture.
• Connected road trips: 84% are open to carpooling or using apps to meet fellow travelers, with AI mapping scenic routes and fostering community on the road.
• Cosmic travel planning: Nearly half of travelers consider astrology and moon phases when timing trips, showing a rise in spiritually guided travel.
• Glow-cations: Personalized wellness trips will center on skincare and recovery, with AI-driven treatments, hydration stations, and circadian-aligned sleep suites.
• Quiet and connection: Silence, nature, and slow observation will define restorative travel — from foraging to insect watching — with tech subtly enhancing awareness.
• Revisiting memories: AI will help travelers map and relive past moments, turning nostalgia and heritage into immersive travel experiences.
• Personal milestones redefined: Travelers no longer wait for birthdays or honeymoons — 67% travel “just because,” celebrating personal wins, self-care, or fresh starts.

Get the full report at Booking.com