7 travel trends for 2026 that will change the way we explore the world

It’s no secret – Singaporeans love to travel whenever they can. With 2025 drawing to a close, many are eyeing their next adventure for 2026.

A recent Skyscanner study shows just how serious travellers are: 90 per cent of Singapore travellers plan to travel the same – or more – next year. Cyndi Hui, Skyscanner Travel Trends and Destination Expert, notes, “Today’s travellers are curating journeys that feel unmistakably their own. The future of travel will be curated, considered and cleverer than before.”

The survey reveals that 85 per cent of these travellers are willing to spend the same or more on flights, 80 per cent plan to up their accommodation budgets, and 47 per cent are budgeting more for car hire – clear proof that travel remains a top priority.

As Singaporeans increasingly seek personalised, meaningful experiences, we explore some of the key travel trends set to shape the way we journey in 2026.

Glow-mads

Travellers are now shaping entire trips around beauty‑focused experiences. Nearly half – 49 per cent – have purchased local beauty products unavailable at home, while 39 per cent have hunted down cult-favourite stores – like French pharmacies or Korean beauty boutiques. Gen Z travellers, in particular, are leading the charge: almost one in three plan to seek out beauty treatments and skincare stores in 2026, compared with just one in six Boomers.

Portable skincare, in particular, has emerged as a standout trend. CEO of Malin+Goetz, Emily Coleman, says: “Prioritising beauty isn’t just a luxury anymore, it’s part of how travellers elevate everyday moments on the move.”

Shelf discovery

To “eat like a local” now means heading straight for the snack aisle. From Tokyo vending machines and 7-Eleven Slurpees to Iceland’s geothermal baked bread, gastro-tourism is evolving in unexpected ways.

60 per cent of travellers say that exploring local supermarkets abroad is one of the best ways to understand a destination’s culture and palate – and three in four Singapore travellers make it a point to visit them. In 2026, many will continue scouring local aisles for quirky snacks and limited-edition treats, turning supermarket runs into cultural deep dives – and even finding souvenirs for friends and family back home.

Food-focused travel has become part cultural immersion, part clever budget hack. The “supermarket safari” offers an affordable, authentic glimpse into local life – one snack at a time.

Altitude shift

Travellers are heading for higher ground – literally. From the Dolomites, to Annapurna, and even the Canadian Rockies, alpine destinations are at peak interest beyond the winter season, with 81 per cent planning or considering trips to mountain locales during summer or autumn.

Globally, hotel bookings using the “Room with a mountain view” filter have surged 103 per cent year-on-year. The appeal is obvious: crisp, clean air, cooler temperatures, serene surroundings, and, of course, breathtaking scenery that’s hard to beat.

Bookbound

Literary experiences are turning a new page – whether it’s wandering through a charming bookstore, losing yourself in a grand library, or visiting a destination brought vividly to life on the page.

Rebecca Sinclair, chief brand officer at Penguin Books UK, underscores the connection between reading and travel: “With 85 per cent of book buyers reading to ‘relax or escape’, it’s no surprise that books inspire wanderlust and remain a trusted travel companion for many.”

Singaporean author Jemimah Wei, too, shares her must-visit bookstores around the world: New York City’s Yu & Me, Malaysia’s Tsutaya, London’s Libreria, and Brooklyn’s Greenlight – perfect stops for travellers seeking stories both on and off the page.

Family miles

In 2026, intergenerational travel is set to gain momentum among Singapore travellers, with nearly four in ten planning a family holiday. The trend stretches across three generations – more than one in four Gen Zs have already travelled with both parents and grandparents.

The motivations go beyond leisure: 43 per cent say these trips are one of the few opportunities to truly connect with loved ones, while another 43 per cent view them as a way to show appreciation to their elders.

Catching flights, and feelings

Singapore travellers are seeking connections that go beyond familiar circles – from holiday romances to chance encounters that become lasting memories. In fact, 65 per cent have travelled – or considered travelling – abroad specifically to meet new people. The desire to connect is strongest among younger travellers: 66 per cent of Gen Z and 70 per cent of Millennials have done so, compared with 36 per cent of Boomers.

This trend is reflected in booking habits too. Globally, hotel reservations using the ‘solo’ filter have jumped 83 per cent year-on-year.

Above all, travel seems to unlock a sense of openness: 41 per cent of travellers say they are more willing to meet new people on the road, while 29 per cent attribute it to feeling freer to be themselves.

Destination check-in

Accommodations are becoming the destination itself. Travellers are increasingly seeking out unique stays that capture the aesthetic and atmosphere of far‑flung locales – immersing themselves in another world without the long-haul flight. In fact, 60 per cent choose a destination specifically because of the place they want to stay.

Younger travellers, fuelled by social media, are driving an obsession with unusual and visually striking accommodations, redefining what it means to ‘travel the world’ without leaving home.

For many, the hotel shapes the holiday, offering a complete experience that:

• Delivers good value for the entire trip
• Provides a full escape from everyday life
• Lets them unwind in one spot without constant moving around

Martin Waller, founder of design emporium Andrew Martin, highlights some of his favourite stays that elevate travel through design, from Johannesburg’s Saxon Hotel – where Nelson Mandela wrote Long Walk to Freedom – to Udaipur’s Lake Palace, a centuries-old masterpiece and perhaps India’s most romantic hotel, where thoughtful custodians preserve the genius of its original design.