Global travellers are re imagining their journeys in 2026, prioritising meaningful experiences and authentic connections over mere destination – hopping, according to a comprehensive new industry report released by Minor Hotels, a leading international hospitality company.
The inaugural Minor Hotels Travel Trends Report, titled “Travelling Deeper: A Search for Lasting Connection,” reveals a fundamental shift in how people approach travel, with tourists increasingly seeking emotional, relational, and spiritual resonance from their trips rather than simply ticking off bucket-list locations.
Strong Travel Intentions Despite Economic Headwinds
Despite lingering economic uncertainty across global markets, the outlook for travel in 2026 remains overwhelmingly positive. The report found that 94% of respondents expect to travel as much or more in the coming year, with one-third planning to take more trips than they did in 2025.
Financial commitment to travel shows similar strength, with 94% of respondents planning to maintain or increase their travel spending in 2026. Nearly half – 47% – intend to boost their travel budgets, signaling continued prioritization of vacation experiences even amid cost-of-living pressures.
Luxury travelers demonstrate particularly robust enthusiasm, with 61% expecting to travel more frequently in 2026—nearly double the rate of all respondents combined.
“Today’s travelers want more than destinations; they want stories, connections and meaning,” said Dillip Rajakarier, Group CEO of Minor International, Minor Hotels’ parent company. “Our trend report reveals a growing appetite for authentic engagement and conscious travel choices. For Minor Hotels, this is an invitation to continue shaping experiences that prioritize wellbeing and cultural depth, ensuring every journey offers something truly memorable.”
Quality Over Quantity: The New Travel Calculus
While enthusiasm runs high, travelers are approaching their plans with careful consideration. Affordability remains the leading factor shaping travel decisions for 53% of respondents, followed by seasonality at 42%, ease of travel at 40%, and available time at 40%.
More than half of travelers -53% -book their trips within three months of departure, demonstrating both spontaneity and a wait-and-see approach to planning amid ongoing global uncertainty.
Hotel websites have emerged as the dominant planning tool, used by 80% of travelers, significantly ahead of personal recommendations at 35% and online travel agents at 29%. Notably, emerging technologies such as generative AI chatbots are now being utilized by 12% of travelers, marking the early adoption of artificial intelligence in trip planning.
Togetherness Takes Center Stage
Travel in 2026 is fundamentally social, with nearly all respondents planning to journey with companions. Partners lead at 66%, followed by immediate family at 46% and friends at 32%, reflecting strong demand for multi-generational trips and shared adventures.
Quality time together emerges as the paramount priority, cited by 86% of respondents as a key consideration when planning leisure travel. The most cherished shared experiences are refreshingly simple: dining together at 67%, relaxation at 54%, and cultural activities at 55%.
Over half of all respondents – 56% -prefer to keep activities exclusively within their travel group, underscoring a desire for intimate, private experiences rather than joining larger tour groups or mixing with other travelers.
Carving Out Space for Solitude
Even amid group travel, modern tourists are intentionally creating moments of personal reflection and rejuvenation. A significant 71% agree that disconnecting from technology, social media, or work during travel is important for their personal wellbeing.
Wellness integration is expanding, with 44% planning to incorporate more wellness or mindfulness activities into their trips. Among those already engaged in wellness practices, this figure jumps to 73%, suggesting growing mainstream acceptance of wellbeing-focused travel.
Spa treatments lead wellness preferences at 75%, followed by nature-based experiences at 59% and fitness activities at 49%. More than a third of travelers – 37% – deliberately schedule alone time even when traveling with companions.
Culture Through Cuisine
Food has emerged as the primary cultural gateway, with 85% of travelers viewing local cuisine as their main connection to a destination’s culture. Historic architecture follows at 71%, with nature-based experiences at 65%.
Local immersion significantly influences destination selection for 83% of respondents, with 79% favoring independent exploration and 44% opting for guided tours to gain insider perspectives on local life.
This quest for authenticity creates powerful emotional bonds: 76% of respondents say they will return to a destination specifically because they felt a personal connection to it, demonstrating how experiential depth drives long-term destination loyalty.
Sustainability as a Loyalty Driver
Responsible hospitality practices have evolved from nice-to-have features to genuine decision-making factors. Nearly half of travelers – 47% – report that a hotel’s sustainability credentials or environmental initiatives influence their accommodation choices.
Majorities agree that environmental, cultural, and social programs enhance their connection to destinations, whether staying at city hotels (53%) or destination resorts (54%). Modern travelers increasingly seek brands that educate them about local issues, guide conscious choices, and enable participatory sustainability efforts.
The report signals a maturing travel market where guests expect hotels to move beyond simply delivering service to facilitating meaningful experiences that resonate on multiple levels – personal, cultural, and environmental.
As the industry looks toward 2026, these findings suggest that hospitality providers who can authentically deliver depth, connection, and purpose alongside traditional comfort and convenience will be best positioned to capture the loyalty of tomorrow’s travelers.
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