Travel search engine Kayak has released its 2026 “What the Future (WTF) Report,” offering a look at the destinations and travel behaviors that will shape the year ahead. Along with exclusive community data from TikTok, the report focuses on the places and patterns that matter before they become mainstream news. In its second edition, the WTF report uses billions of Kayak user queries to spotlight overlooked destinations offering lower prices, fewer crowds and more flexibility.
The 2026 edition adds results from a survey of 14,000 Gen Z and Millennial travelers, social and cultural research, and Kayak executive interviews to deliver 10 trends shaping next‑gen travel. Chief among them, the impact of AI on our travel planning, with 41 percent of those surveyed saying they’ll trust an AI recommendation over friends and social media.
“In 2026, AI will become an even more powerful, invisible engine behind travel, anticipating what travelers need before they ask and removing friction at every step. The future of travel isn’t just smarter; it’s more human and personalized, with technology enhancing the experience along the way,” said Matthias Keller, chief product officer, Kayak.
“TikTok is reshaping how people explore the world, and is home to a vibrant culture of search and discovery when it comes to planning travel—from flights, to hotels, to destinations, and beyond,” said David Hoctor, vertical director of travel, global business solutions at TikTok. “Kayak has identified a number of emerging travel behaviors that we are seeing play out in real-time on TikTok, from microtravel trips with friends, to “gasp-away” dream vacations with their loved ones. We’re thrilled to see these trends take shape in the year ahead as travelers plan their next trips.
Kayak 2026 WTF Travel Trends
Not-yet-Tok’d — This is the year of rewriting popular travel routines, by swapping trending places from all over the internet, with the next “gen of destinations” not seen on social media so far. Sixty-nine percent of Gen Z and 66 percent of Millennials prefer places off their feeds. In 2025, #hiddengems posts rose more than 50 percent on TikTok.
Kayak’s 2026 Top 10 Emerging Destinations
| Rank | Destination | Country |
| 1 | Cork | Ireland |
| 2 | Chongqing | China |
| 3 | Harbin | China |
| 4 | Zakynthos | Greece |
| 5 | Shenzhen | China |
| 6 | Almaty | Kazakhstan |
| 7 | Hilo (Big Island) | United States |
| 8 | Noumea | New Caledonia |
| 9 | La Romana | Dominican Republic |
| 10 | Luxembourg | Luxembourg |
Booked now, paid later — When wallets are tight, flexible payment matters more. Thirty-five percent of Gen Zs and 31 percent of Millennial travelers surveyed say credit or installment plans will decide how many trips they can actually take in 2026. Kayak’s new “Buy now, pay later” filter migrates a preferred retail payment method into a travel facilitator.
Gasp-aways — Itineraries that inspire awe are trending. TikTok searches for Aurora Borealis jumped by +2300 percent in the United States in mid November ’25 vs the week prior. From solar eclipses to meteor showers, 63 percent of next-gen travelers say natural wonders will guide their travel plans in 2026.
Your pal, AI — Seeking travel recommendations from family or friends? That is SO last trip. AI is the new, trusted travel BFF for Gen Z and Millennials. Forty-one percent of Gen Z and Millennial travelers trust AI recommendations more than people and social media, because it draws from millions of sources, 34 percent say AI feels more accurate and up to date than peer suggestions.
Wellth trips — “Well-th” is the new wealth for Gen Z and Millennial travelers. More than 60 percent of next-gen travelers, name mental reset as their top travel priority, while #wellnesstravel posts rose 150 percent in the TikTok community. Willing to invest more, next-gen travelers redefine luxury travel as showing up rested, not showing off.
Little big trips — Small towns are the new happy place. Eighty-four percent of travelers would prefer a smaller town for their 2026 escapes, as they expect lower prices and less crowds, but more authenticity. Here’s where TikTok continues to validate, with one in five travelers saying social posts inspired them to visit a village.
The main event — Traveling to an event in 2026? You are not alone! A whopping 97 percent of Gen Z and Millennial travelers plan to travel for a major event in 2026. Whether a major sporting competition, a concert or a festival, 2026 big events are not the reason to travel, they are the trip.
Headspace holidays — Slow down to feel more. 2026 travel is about catching some breath vs frantically ticking boxes on the bucket list. In 2025, #slowtravel posts increased nearly 330 percent on TikTok. More than half of surveyed travelers say slower travel clears their heads with a clear preference of quality over quantity on the road.
Nanocations — Short trips deliver big benefits with #weekendgetaways content on TikTok surging more than 60 percent. Nearly 63 percent of Kayak surveyed travelers plan several shorter trips in 2026, choosing quick changes of scenery for instant relaxation.
Soft adventures — Instead of extreme challenges, 25 percent of travelers prefer light adventure combined with relaxation, such as a morning run followed by beach time or a moderate hike topped with a cold drink. In 2026, adventure doesn’t mean roughing it.
Related Articles
Report: AI Usage in Travel Planning on the Rise
Skyscanner: Inside Gen Z’s Swelling Influence in Travel