The top travel trends shaping 2026 getaways

[SINGAPORE] New year, new resolutions. And one of these is to travel, travel, travel – at least as much as we did last year, if not more. That’s according to travel-search aggregator Skyscanner, whose Travel Trends report showed that 90 per cent of the over 1,000 Singapore travellers surveyed plan to holiday at least the same amount in 2026, with 44 per cent intending to travel more.

While this is lower than the 53 per cent who wanted to make more trips in 2025, Singapore travellers still see travel as a financial priority, with 42 per cent budgeting more for flights, and 31 per cent doing likewise for accommodation. But cost is a factor.

“The impact of a tighter economy is shaping how people travel,” says Cyndi Hui, Skyscanner travel trends and destination expert. “We’ve observed Singapore travellers becoming more deliberate and value-driven, finding ways to stretch their budgets without sacrificing experiences.”

Taking a more flexible approach to travel planning, as well as utilising tools such as price comparison apps and automatic alerts to price changes is key, she adds.

And while travel is always personal (or should be), this year, experts say travellers will lean into passions that feel distinctive and truly their own.

“We anticipate demand from Singapore travellers to remain robust in 2026, as many seek experiences to pursue their passions and embrace new adventures that resonate with their love for culture, convenience and innovation,” says Anthony Lu, regional director of South-east Asia and China at Booking.com.

For its travel predictions, the digital travel company surveyed over 29,000 travellers across 33 countries and territories, including 500 from Singapore.

Technology and digital tools such as artificial intelligence (AI), as expected, will continue to play a pivotal role in trip planning and discovering new destinations. In fact, the key trend this year will be ultra-personalised travel, and the different forms it will take.

Human connections

Singapore travellers are keen on making connections beyond their own circles, with 65 per cent having travelled or considering travelling overseas to specifically meet new people, says Skyscanner.

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A similar theme also features strongly in Booking.com’s findings, which show that road trips are moving beyond family and friend convoys to spontaneous adventures with new companions along the way.

Some 87 per cent of travellers in Singapore are open to carpooling on vacation and close to two-thirds (64 per cent) are willing to use an app to find others on a similar route. That’s because they’re drawn to more unplanned and flexible (85 per cent) road trips that let them meet new people (77 per cent) and share driving responsibilities (76 per cent).

Family first

In 2026, intergenerational travel is set to become even more prominent, says Skyscanner, with almost four in 10 planning to holiday with family on their next trip. This trend spans across three generations with more than one in four Gen Zs having already travelled with both parents and grandparents. Their motivation? Some 43 per cent say it is one of the only times they fully connect with loved ones, while another 43 per cent say it is a way to show appreciation to their elders.

Indeed, luxury travel tour operator Scott Dunn notes a generational shift – teenagers are increasingly setting the agenda for their families’ vacations. Over 70 per cent are proactively giving their parents ideas on where to go, with nearly 40 per cent successfully changing their parents’ minds on destination choice. A whopping 80 per cent use TikTok and Instagram for inspiration, while 60 per cent also seek recommendations from friends.

Says Mike Harlow, Scott Dunn Asia’s general manager: “Luxury travel is moving beyond the traditional markers of prestige, with immersive experiences and younger voices driving the next wave of demand.”

So much so, the travel operator is launching new itineraries designed for and by teenage guests.

Glow-mads glow-up

Anyone into K-beauty will tell you that every trip to Korea is a chance to undergo aesthetic treatments and stock up on skincare products.

In tandem, travel is expected to get a serious glow-up in 2026 with 81 per cent of local travellers open to booking a dedicated glow-cation featuring multiple skin-specific treatments, says Booking.com.

Skyscanner says travellers are curating entire holidays around beauty-focused experiences, with 49 per cent having purchased beauty products they can’t get at home, and 39 per cent shopping at cult beauty stores like French pharmacies or Korean beauty shops.

Authentic food experiences

Singaporeans are increasingly choosing destinations with food and culinary experiences as a main driving factor, according to a Trip.com and Google’s Why Travel? report. Food-related bookings on Trip.com surged 43 per cent year on year, such that Singapore now ranks among the world’s top four source markets that foodie travellers hail from.

Culinary experiences are moving from purely prestige-driven dining to authentic experiences that connect travellers to where they’re visiting, observes Scott Dunn. Gaining popularity are farm-to-table experiences, foraging and meals hosted by locals, all of which reflect a wider shift towards meaningful travel.

Skyscanner says 60 per cent of respondents cited supermarkets abroad as one of the best ways to understand local culture and palate, providing not just quirky snacks and limited-edition treats, but also a cultural deep dive and opportunity to buy gifts. Almost three out of four (72 per cent) always or often visit local supermarkets when travelling.

The kitchen is becoming a cultural canvas in 2026. Booking.com’s research shows that increasingly, travellers are seeking edible and design-led treasures that double as showcases of global culture.

Seven in 10 local travellers would consider buying design-led kitchenware or pantry items on holiday, while close to two-thirds (64 per cent) may even travel to a destination specifically known for such products.

But it’s more than just aesthetics. Over a quarter (26 per cent) say edible souvenirs help them relive a destination each time they cook, while 27 per cent value how these items showcase local craft, sustainability and traditional methods. For others, exclusivity and style play a role, with one in five choosing destinations for rare souvenirs, limited-edition cookware or packaging that looks as good on a shelf as it does on social media.

We’ll be coming round the mountains

In 2026, there ain’t no mountain high enough, as travellers head for higher ground – with alpine destinations seeing rising interest. This is not just in winter, but increasingly during off-peak seasons as well, with 81 per cent who have planned or are considering a trip to mountain destinations in the summer or autumn, says Skyscanner.

Travellers are drawn to mountains for clean air and cooler weather (58 per cent), peace and quiet (56 per cent) and their beautiful, remote accommodation (51 per cent).

Literary-inspired

Literary experiences – from charming bookstores to destinations brought to life by books – are inspiring travel, according to Skyscanner, with 71 per cent of Gen Zs and millennials having booked or considered a trip inspired by literary content.

Indeed, Booking.com expects to see vacations become immersive storyscapes in the year ahead, with more than eight in 10 (83 per cent) Singapore travellers potentially interested in visiting a destination inspired by romantasy. Some 63 per cent are even open to taking part in a role-play retreat based on their favourite fantasy game, book or film, and over a quarter (26 per cent) are “definitely interested” in making this part of their future travel plans.

Accommodation-led travel

Accommodations have become destinations in themselves, with travellers increasingly seeking out unique, immersive stays. Skyscanner’s survey shows that 60 per cent have chosen a destination specifically for the place they wanted to stay at.

Not only that, Singapore travellers are ready for the next frontier of futuristic accommodations, with 85 per cent open to booking a robotic-enhanced vacation home. More than half of those interested (51 per cent) say cleaning bots would sway their booking choice, while 37 per cent are most excited about a robotic chef and close to a third (30 per cent) want robots managing sustainability behind the scenes.

Why? It’s down to the novelty factor (24 per cent) or even bragging rights (21 per cent) of staying in a science fiction-like home that promises to be unforgettable.

Quieter pursuits

Going by Booking.com, silence will be golden in 2026, as travellers look to swop the noise and distractions of daily life for the soothing stillness of nature. Some 43 per cent of local travellers would vacation specifically to feel closer to the natural world and 21 per cent will turn to “quieter” hobbies while holidaying.

Rituals that prioritise patience, reflection and stress relief are high on the agenda, with travellers increasingly keen on activities that offer a deeper connection with the outdoors. Six in 10 say they would consider moth/butterfly watching or insect spotting, 76 per cent fishing or birdwatching and 83 per cent staying in a hotel where they’re involved in foraging locally for their meals.

In the new year, it looks like less could really be more.