Skyscanner’s 2026 Report Highlights Key Travel Trends: Glowmads, Literary Escapes, And Food-centered Holidays Lead The Way

Published on October 22, 2025

The Skyscanner Travel Trends study for 2026 reveals a awesome displacement successful really group are readying their holidays, pinch a attraction connected personalisation and aligning recreation plans pinch individual passions and hobbies. The world user investigation and information from Skyscanner bespeak that successful 2026, travelers, peculiarly successful nan UAE, are curating their trips astir their interests, from beauty and skincare experiences to culinary exploration and literate adventures.

With trends for illustration Destination Check-In and Glowmads gaining momentum, it’s clear that travelers are looking beyond accepted picnic plans, seeking much meaningful and immersive experiences.

Destination Check-In: Accommodation Becomes nan Key Decision Maker

One of nan standout trends successful Skyscanner’s 2026 study is Destination Check-In, which highlights really captious accommodation is successful recreation planning. According to nan report, 76% of travelers take their destination based connected nan accommodation options available, making nan spot to enactment much important than ever. Whether it’s nan allure of a unsocial edifice aliases nan desire for a circumstantial type of lodging experience, accommodation is shaping wherever group go, signaling a displacement successful really travelers are prioritising their trips.

Glowmads: Skincare and Beauty astatine nan Forefront

The inclination of Glowmads (beauty-focused travelers) is besides connected nan rise, particularly successful nan UAE, wherever 55% of adults person antecedently purchased beauty aliases skincare products connected world trips. The study indicates that 45% of travelers are readying to sojourn beauty stores and bask skincare aliases beauty treatments overseas successful 2026. The affordability of beauty services successful definite countries is fueling this trend, pinch 37% of travelers noting that beauty-related activities are cheaper overseas compared to their location countries. This inclination is shaping recreation decisions, arsenic beauty enthusiasts activity destinations wherever they tin indulge successful affordable skincare treatments.

Shelf Discovery: Culinary Exploration Through Local Supermarkets

Food lovers are progressively exploring Shelf Discovery during their travels, pinch 83% of travelers stating they often aliases ever sojourn section supermarkets to acquisition authentic section cuisine. The believe of shopping successful nutrient aisles is not conscionable astir nutrient but is besides an immersive measurement to understand section cultures, arsenic 57% of travelers judge it helps them study much astir nan destination. Additionally, 44% of travelers expressed a beardown desire to effort section nutrient during their vacations, highlighting nutrient arsenic a important facet successful travel readying for 2026.

Altitude Shift: Year-Round Mountain Escapes

Another increasing inclination is nan Altitude Shift, pinch travelers seeking year-round alpine escapes. Skyscanner information shows that 92% of travelers are already looking into booking summertime aliases autumn trips to upland destinations successful 2026. The entreaty of cooler upwind and cleanable aerial makes upland destinations particularly attractive, pinch 59% of travelers noting that these factors are cardinal drivers for their travel planning. Hiking trips are besides becoming much popular, pinch 31% of travelers intending to research upland trails successful 2026.

Literary Escapes: Exploring Destinations Through Books

For immoderate travelers, destinations are now being selected based connected literate inspiration. Skyscanner’s study reveals that 78% of group person considered booking a travel inspired by a book aliases film, and much than 70% judge that reference clip is an basal portion of their recreation experience. This inclination points to an expanding desire for literate escapes, whether it’s exploring locations featured successful favourite novels aliases booking stays successful literary-themed accommodations.

Social and Solo Travel: Connecting pinch New People

Travel is besides becoming a much societal experience, pinch 82% of individuals successful nan UAE considering recreation opportunities that let them to meet caller people. Of these, 32% are unfastened to connecting pinch group from different cultures, highlighting nan increasing value of societal connections during travel. This inclination reflects a desire for deeper, much meaningful interactions while connected nan road, whether done group activities aliases shared experiences.

Multi-Generational Travel: Family Bonding connected nan Rise

In 2026, multi-generational travel is group to go much popular, pinch 41% of travelers successful nan UAE readying to recreation pinch their families. This inclination reflects a broader desire for families to reconnect and create shared memories crossed generations. As family dynamics evolve, vacations are becoming a measurement for each ages to bond, relax, and bask caller experiences together.

Conclusion

The Skyscanner 2026 Travel Trends study underscores a awesome displacement successful really travelers scheme their trips, pinch personalization and a attraction connected individual interests and passions taking halfway stage. From nan emergence of Glowmads and Shelf Discovery to Altitude Shifts and literary escapes, travelers are seeking experiences that align pinch their individual hobbies, taste interests, and desires for connection. As nan recreation scenery continues to evolve, 2026 promises to beryllium a twelvemonth wherever travelers tin curate their vacations pinch greater intent and meaning.