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Booking.com reveals its top 10 predictions for travel in 2026, offering Irish explorers a glimpse of what to expect next year and inspiration for their next trip. From relationship compatibility tests – with 69% of Irish folks open to taking a trip to see how their relationships hold up – to mystical detours, with 39% turning to astrological influences when planning their next getaway, Booking.com’s Travel Predictions spotlight how people want to experience the world. In 2026, every trip will become a bold expression of individuality and identity: with travellers eager to let their true selves shine, quirks and all. Here’s the top 10! 1. Destined-ations: Travellers looking to the stars for their next trips In 2026, the stars won’t just inform horoscopes and star signs, they will shape travel plans. From moon phases to astrology, mystical practices will become a new compass to guide travel decisions, turning vacations into journeys that feel spiritually aligned and cosmically approved. 39% of Irish holidaymakers say they would consider changing or cancelling their plans if a spiritual adviser or guide suggested it was not the right time, while 33% would reconsider trips based on a horoscope warning, and 27% would adjust if Mercury was in retrograde. Beyond these cosmic course corrections, many travellers actively seek experiences that align with mystical or astrological cues. 30% say they consider such influences when planning holidays, from timing trips with moon phases or solstices to visiting energy-rich sites. Gen Z (34%) and nearly half of millennials (35%) are particularly attuned to this sense of spiritual exploration, proving that for younger generations, the path to self-discovery might just be written in the stars. 2. Romantasy Retreats: Travellers inspired by mythical creatures and enchanted worlds In 2026, with genres like romantasy exploding in popularity, the relationship between stories and journeys enters a new chapter as travellers step not just into novels, but into the fantasy worlds of dragons, fairies, and other mythical creatures. Dreaming of enchanted castles and medieval banquets, 65% of Irish say they’d consider visiting a destination inspired by romantasy, Looking to fully immerse themselves, over half (55%) are open to taking part in a role-play retreat based on their favourite fantasy game, book or film, with nearly half (46%) saying they are very interested in making this part of their future travel plans. Technology is turning the page of this new escapism, with nearly eight in ten travelers (74%) open to AI-powered suggestions that match fantasy aesthetics, recommend secluded “storybook” stays, or pinpoint real-world filming locations. No longer confined to fiction, fantasy will become a travel blueprint, offering enchanted escapes where imagination and adventure become the protagonists. 3. Turbulence Test: Travel to put love and friendship on trial in 2026 Holidays aren’t just for recharging, in 2026 they will become the ultimate compatibility check as many travellers plan to use time away to test the strength of their relationships: romantic, platonic or even professional. More than two-thirds (69%) are open to taking a trip with a potential partner, colleague or new friend specifically to see how well they click. 58% would consider traveling to a remote location to see how their companion handles ambiguity and discomfort. 53% are intrigued by role-reversal retreats, where the usual planner hands over control or the introvert takes the lead, and an equal amount would embrace travel with severe constraints, such as budget limits, language barriers, or limited connectivity (53%). Meanwhile, many (69%) would like to take the backseat themselves to see if their travel partner steps up to plan the trip. These turbulence tests highlight a shift in how people approach holidays: not just as escapes, but as immersive ways to understand compatibility, adaptability, and teamwork. 4. Hushed Hobbies: Travellers pursuing peaceful pastimes and a connection with nature Silence will be golden in 2026, as travellers look to swap the noise of daily life and distractions of an overstimulating world for the soothing stillness of nature to restore their sense of calm. With 37% of travellers saying they would go on holiday specifically to feel closer to the natural world and one in five (17%) turning to “quieter” hobbies during a trip, travellers will be seeking restorative rituals that prioritise patience, reflection and stress relief. From insect spotting and birdwatching to fishing and foraging, travellers are increasingly interested in pastimes that invite a deeper connection and close observation with an outdoor space. 44% say they would consider moth/butterfly watching or insect spotting, 61% fishing or birdwatching and 60% staying at a hotel where they are involved with foraging in local nature and wilderness hotspots for their meals, with these activities offering a way to connect more deeply with their surroundings. 5. PastPorts: Nostalgia takes charge, with people looking to recreate cherished holiday memories In 2026, nostalgia will no longer be something we leave in the past, it will become something we can step back into, with technology making it possible. With AI-powered photo mapping and heritage-tracing platforms, memories can transform into maps and old snapshots into future trip itineraries as travellers pinpoint the exact spot where a moment once happened and stand in it. For many, these trips are deeply emotional, rooted in the desire to relive meaningful moments and share them with others. More than two-thirds of Irish (62%) say they would consider recreating a memory or photo by using technology to identify the exact location it was taken, and then travelling there. Over half of these travellers (57%) say their main motivation would be to revisit a memory with family or close friends, while 43% are drawn to destinations that make them feel young, connected or at home. More than a third (40%) even see these journeys as milestones, whether to reflect on personal growth, reconnect with people from the past (38%), or even gain closure by returning to places tied to difficult memories (38%). 6. Glow-cations: Skincare specific travel set to surge, driven by the latest tech Wellness travel will get a serious glow-up in 2026 with 80% of travellers open to booking a dedicated glow-cation featuring multiple skin-specific treatments tailored to their personal skincare needs. What used to be simple spa escapes are transforming into high-tech, high-touch journeys centered on the body’s largest organ: the skin. The appetite for personalisation runs deeper than ever, with 72% intrigued by accommodation with smart mirrors analysing pores and hydration to provide real-time skincare advice. Sleep optimisation is also central, with 58% interested in sleep enhancement suites designed with circadian lighting and soundscapes to improve rest, a vital factor in skin repair and regeneration. From ancient thermal rituals to cutting-edge DNA and microbiome testing, glow-cations mark a new era of skin specific wellness travel, where the goal is not just to recharge, but to return home visibly renewed. 7. Modern Milestone Missions: Travellers embracing trips that celebrate them – no matter the occasion Travellers in 2026 will rewrite the rule rulebook on when and why. No longer reserved for weddings, honeymoons, anniversaries or having a baby, today’s milestones are deeply personal as societal norms continue to shift and evolve. Two-thirds (70%) of travellers say they don’t need a reason to book a trip, while one in five (23%) say they’d go to a dream destination without waiting for a “traditional” milestone to make it worthy. This new wave of modern milestone missions highlights how travellers are embracing personal achievements on their own terms and using travel as a way of celebrating their individuality. Three-quarters (83%) justify booking a holiday simply because they’ve worked hard and deserve it, while new reasons to book a trip are rising to the forefront: toasting a new job or promotion (32%), receiving a surprise tax rebate (24%), marking the closure of a breakup (19%), and showing off a new outfit (8%). Health and wellbeing achievements are also emerging as powerful motivators, with one in five (26%) travelling to mark milestones like sobriety or fitness transformations. 8. Roadtrip Rewired: The journey will be as important as the destination The classic road trip is shifting gears in 2026, with Brits looking to embrace spontaneity and discovery, finding new companions along the way. The journey itself is no longer just about the drive, but a space for connection and memorable experiences with fellow adventurers, with 81% of travellers open to car-sharing on holiday and more than half (54%) willing to use an app to find travelers on a similar route. Travellers are drawn to road trips that make travel more spontaneous and flexible (75%), letting them meet new people (77%), and allowing them to share driving responsibilities (75%). Technology continues to unlock new possibilities on the road, with younger generations leading the way. 53% of Gen Z are open to using self-drive vehicles or AI to shape their routes, compared with just 26% of Boomers. The combination of technology and social connection is redefining what a road trip can be. 9. Shelf-ie Souvenirs: Holidaymakers will look to turn kitchen shelves into cultural showcases In 2026, the humble kitchen cupboard is becoming a cultural canvas, filled with travel souvenirs that reflect personal taste, design flair and a story of place. These shelf-ie souvenirs are moving from fridge magnets to pantry shelves, with travellers increasingly seeking edible and design-led treasures that turn everyday kitchens into showcases of global culture. More than two-thirds of Irish holidaymakers (67%) say they would consider buying design-led kitchenware or pantry items on holiday, from hand-painted spice jars to tins of artisan olive oil that double as décor, and nearly half (49%) saying they would even consider travelling to a destination specifically known for its ‘pantry’ products or kitchenware. This shift is as much about meaning as aesthetics. Nearly a quarter (24%) say edible souvenirs help them relive a destination each time they cook, and equally, 24% value how these items showcase local craft, sustainability, and traditional methods. For others, exclusivity and style play a role, with nearly one in five (15%) choosing destinations for rare souvenirs, limited-edition cookware, or packaging that looks as good on a shelf as it does on social media. 10. Humanoid Homes: Travellers embrace smart-homes and humanoid helpers Holiday homes have long been prized for space and privacy, but 2026 will see an evolution into something far more futuristic: homes enhanced by humanoid helpers. 71% are open to booking a robotic-enhanced home and 49% of those interested say cleaning bots would sway their booking choice. Meanwhile, 20% want robots managing sustainability of the home behind the scenes. But it’s not just about convenience. For many, it’s the novelty (27%) or even the bragging rights (19%) of staying in a home that feels straight out of science fiction. James Waters, Chief Business Officer at Booking.com comments: “In 2026, travel is becoming a reflection of who people truly are, with journeys built around interests that perhaps in the past felt too niche or bold to explore. Travellers are stress-testing relationships, stepping into fantasy worlds, turning their kitchens into reflections of their journeys, and looking at new ways to experience road trips and holiday rentals with enhanced technology features. At Booking.com, we’re continuously evolving to make it easier for everyone to experience the world and fully lean into their dream trips by offering more choice, flexibility, and convenience than ever before.” Booking.com’s Travel Predictions 2026 are based on insights from more than 29,000 travellers across 33 countries and territories, Booking.com is using this research alongside its unique position as an industry leader in travel and technology to uncover ten defining trends for 2026. The findings reveal that holidays are becoming more individual, more experimental, and more unapologetically true to who travellers really are. For more information about Booking.com’s 2026 Travel Predictions, please visit: https://news.booking.com/the-era-of-you-bookingcom-predicts-the-top-trends-defining-travel-in-2026-with-individuality-taking-center-stage
