Travel trends for 2026 highlight emerging destinations

Travel trends for 2026 indicate a growing preference for destinations that offer unique experiences away from traditional crowds. Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best ranking identifies Madeira, a Portuguese volcanic archipelago, as a top trending destination. The island is noted for its levada walking routes through the UNESCO-listed Laurisilva forest, natural volcanic swimming pools, and year-round whale and dolphin watching.

In the cruise sector, the Cruise Lines International Association reported that global passenger volume reached 37.2 million in 2025. For 2026, top-rated cruise destinations include the Mediterranean for historical and culinary variety, Alaska for wilderness and glaciers, the Norwegian fjords for landscape, Japan for cultural depth, the Galápagos for wildlife, the Caribbean for sun and sea, and the South Pacific for remote island exploration.