Travel Trends 2026: Bangkok Tops the List as 'Coolcations' Surge
The 2026 travel map is being redrawn. After years of revenge travel piling into the same hotspots, this year's data shows two clear pulls: cooler climates, and destinations most people couldn't point to on a map a year ago.
The cities everyone's booking
At the top of the list, Bangkok is the most-searched and most-booked city in the world for 2026, ahead of Paris in second and Rio de Janeiro in third. Japan, Italy and Türkiye remain firmly popular — but they are no longer the whole story.
The breakout destinations
Lesser-known spots are posting the fastest growth:
- Paraguay, Palau and Uzbekistan — international arrivals up more than 35% in early 2026.
- Mongolia, New Caledonia and El Salvador — double-digit increases.
- Laos, Kyrgyzstan and Ghana — riding a multi-year boom that shows no sign of fading.
'Coolcations' and safaris
Two themes stand out. "Coolcations" — trips built around cooler weather — are projected to rise as much as 35%, sending travellers to Norway, Alaska, Ireland and the Alps. And demand for African wildlife safaris, particularly multi-country trips through Kenya and Tanzania, has surged.
What's behind it
The common thread is a shift in values: travellers increasingly prioritise unique cultural experiences, affordability and safety over box-ticking the famous landmarks — and they are willing to go further off the beaten path to find them.
Sources & further reading
Written by the NDTVS desk from current coverage, including Google's 2026 travel trends and Google News: travel trends 2026. We summarise and add context; we do not republish other outlets' articles.
