Travel trends shift toward solo trips, flexible booking and personalized experiences

A recent Intermundial survey shows that 83 % of Spaniards intend to travel this summer despite higher transport and accommodation costs, with 34.5 % expecting to spend more than last year. Domestic destinations dominate, chosen by 68 % of travelers, while only 30 % have taken out travel insurance and many misunderstand its coverage.

Solo travel is gaining popularity worldwide. Guides in Brazil and Argentina stress the importance of budgeting before itinerary planning and highlight tools for real‑time expense tracking. MSC Cruises announced a new South‑American itinerary aimed at independent travelers seeking social interaction on board.

Technology is reshaping how trips are built. Platforms such as Omio allow comparison of trains, buses, ferries and flights in one search, supporting flexible itineraries. Airlines and hotels are moving to a‑la‑carte models, offering modular services like extra legroom, custom meals and pay‑for‑amenities only when used. Companies such as EPAM (Colombia) cite cloud migration and unified customer data as essential for delivering predictive, personalized offers.

Screen‑tourism forecasts predict spikes for destinations featured in hit series, with South Korea and Spain topping the index for 2026. The Montseny natural park in Catalonia is highlighted as a growing rural‑tourism hotspot, combining nature, gastronomy and enotourism.

Overall, the travel industry is seeing a convergence of independent travel preferences, demand for flexible planning tools and data‑driven personalization.