Expedia 2026 island travel demand surge

Expedia’s 2026 Island Hot List shows a sustained 40 % year‑over‑year rise in island‑search activity and a 20 % increase in social‑media mentions. The report highlights that shorter trips, off‑season travel and bundled bookings keep average accommodation rates between $105 and $535 per night, enabling budget‑friendly island getaways.

For Australian travellers the top‑ranked islands and their recent growth are: New Caledonia (+75 %), Palau (+60 %), Vanuatu (+45 %), Cebu (+25 %), Langkawi (+25 %), Jeju Island (+20 %), Fiji (+15 %), Okinawa (+15 %), the Whitsundays (+10 %) and the Cook Islands (+10 %).

Interest from LGBTQ+ travellers has jumped 55 % YoY. The list spotlights inclusive destinations such as St Lucia (+125 %)—which decriminalised same‑sex relations in July 2025—and Porto Santo (+85 %), both rated with high Equaldex scores and featuring openly welcoming resorts like Jade Mountain.

Vietnam’s Phu Quoc placed ninth on the global ranking, overtaking Fiji. The island recorded a 25 % rise in flight‑search queries and a 235 % surge in social‑media mentions, earning Expedia’s “Best for Affordable Luxury” label. Its visibility is expected to drive further tourism growth, alongside Palawan as the only other Southeast Asian island in the top ten.

Overall, the data underscores a broad shift toward nearby, value‑driven island vacations across a diverse set of destinations.