January 2026

33 Travelers want to return home with a story, a memory, and ide- ally, a new version of themselves. Iceland, Thailand, Portugal and Peru continue to rank high be- cause they combine nature, his- tory and approachable adventure. Work + Vacation = “Flexca- tion” Remote work is now part of the global rhythm. According to De- loitte’s 2025 global travel survey, over 30% of international travel- ers combine remote work with vacation at least once per year. Destinations benefiting most are those with: Fast Wi-Fi Cafés or coworking hubs Easy visa policies Mexico, Spain, Singapore and Costa Rica are leading because they balance infrastructure with natural beauty. Sustainability Goes Beyond Mar- keting Travelers don’t just want eco- friendly rooms they want to know where money goes. Hotels are part- nering with lo- cal communities for: Food sourcing Cultural programming Habitat protection Some resorts now pub- lish annual sustainabil- ity reports, similar to cor- porate ESG disclosures. Wellness, But Elevated Spa days are still nice. But the future of wellness travel is deep, multi-day resets: Thermal springs in Slovenia Forest bathing in Japan Meditation caves in India Cold-plunge and sauna cir- cuits in Finland Interest in blue zones places where people live longer remains high, especially after new longev- ity documentaries on Netflix and National Geographic. Adventure Grows Up Adventure travel used to be niche. Today, it’s mainstream, with safe- ty and accessibility built in: Glacier walks with guides Kayaking in calm bays E-bike mountain routes Travelers want excitement with- out unnecessary risk. The Airline Industry Adapts New ultra-long routes are shrink- ing the world: Sydney → New York London →Auckland At the same time, the Interna- tional Air Transport Association reports that sustainable aviation fuel production is increasing, driving major airlines to commit to carbon-neutral targets by 2050. 2026 is a remarkable moment for travel because we’re not trying to return to the past. We’re building something new thoughtful, con- nected and global. Where would you like to travel this year?