Travel and Tourism Trends for 2026

December 03, 2025 6 min

Are you starting to plan your next vacation and wondering which type of trip to take? From relaxing blue water sailing trips to switch off vacations and short city breaks, there are countless ways to explore the world.

To make planning as easy and stress-free as possible, in this blog, Sunsail’s expert vacation planners and Katrina Lawson, Head of Brand and Acquisitions at Sunsail, has revealed the top travel and tourism trends for 2026, including blue health escapes, shorter vacations / minibreaks, last-minute bookings, and multi-generational travel.

It comes as recent research from Skyscanner finds that 84% of travelers plan to travel the same, or more, in 2026, with an emphasis on purposeful trips that reflect personal passions, self-expression, and immersive experiences.

Katrina says: “People are increasingly seeking vacations that offer meaningful, unforgettable experiences and a chance to reconnect with loved ones. Whether you’re looking to island hop between hidden gems in the Caribbean or seeking cultural experiences in the Mediterranean, sailing vacations tick all these boxes.

“The rise of blue health escapes in particular highlights a growing desire to visit more secluded destinations to reconnect with nature. And being out on the water is proven to improve wellbeing and restore a sense of calm.

“We will also see more people adapt how they travel, taking shorter breaks and embracing last minute adventures, as priorities shift and young travelers favor spontaneity.”

Travel Trend #1: Blue health escapes will be one of the biggest tourism trends of 2026

According to Booking.com, 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.

As online searches for ‘quiet vacations in the sun’ soar by 100% and wellness tourism is already estimated to be valued at over $1 trillion, blue health escapes, also known as blue mind breaks, are a distinct wellness travel trend that will become increasingly prevalent in the year ahead.

Referring to the psychological and cognitive benefits of being by the water, including stress reduction, improved mood and enhanced focus, more people are gravitating towards experiences like sailing, which offer strong connections to the ocean with the opportunity to island hop among some of the world’s hidden gems. It comes as over-tourism spikes in popular travel destinations, and more than a third of travelers say they now actively seek out quieter destinations, with plans to visit popular places only in shoulder season.

Top sailing destinations and must-visit islands for blue health escapes

With a 300% surge in online searches for ‘skippered sailing vacations in the Caribbean’ over the last three months and year-on-year, as well as a 200% increase for ‘boat vacations in the Mediterranean’ over the same period, Katrina has also named the British Virgin Islands (BVI), Croatia and Lefkas in Greece as the top sailing destinations for blue health escapes.

British Virgin Islands (BVI)

The Baths – this unique geological formation features massive granite boulders creating hidden caves, grottos, and natural pools along the beach. The Baths are perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and exploring the labyrinthine pathways that weave through the rocks. Uncover more treasures like The Baths in our BVI Hiking Itinerary.

Josiah’s Bay – a growing hotspot for nature lovers and families. The bay has a dedicated surfing school, ideal for anyone wanting to learn a new skill on vacation.

Smuggler’s Cove – on the western end of Tortola, vacationers can relax and unwind on the pristine sands. It’s a secluded paradise where you can sunbathe, swim and snorkel, with one Tripadvisor review saying: “The white sand, the turquoise blue water and the beautiful palm landscape, combined with the sounds of nature, create an inviting atmosphere to relax on this beach.”

Learn more about when to sail around the BVI and take a look at our BVI sailing itineraries for more hotspots and hidden gems that need to be seen to be believed.

Croatia

Vis – the most remote of Croatia’s main islands, it’s the perfect place to escape and enjoy the peace and quiet. A prime spot for snorkeling, Vis is also home to Stivina Bay – a stunning beach behind towering cliffs.

Stomorska Town – a picturesque fishing village with a rich nautical history, the water in the bay is beautifully clear and there are several beaches for relaxing and swimming.

Sveta Nedelja – an interesting spot where a wine maker made his wine tasting room beneath sea level, so the experience is quite unique. Stari Grad, located on the north side of Hvar, is just one of Croatia’s UNESCO Protected World Heritage Sites and is also worth visiting. On shore, enjoy scenic hikes with panoramic views of impeccably preserved landscapes and offshore, enjoy swimming or snorkeling throughout the pristine surrounding waters.

Discover the best time to set sail in Croatia and start planning your Dubrovnik or Agana yacht charter today.

Lefkas, Greece

Lefkas is renowned for its stunning natural beauty and is home to some of the best beaches in Greece, including Porto Katsiki, Egremni and Kathisma. Offering a less crowded experience compared to Corfu and Athens, it’s an under-the-radar destination ideal for cultural immersion and water-based activities, including kayaking and snorkeling.

Find out more about the best time to sail in Greece and take a look at our Lefkas itineraries for planning inspiration

Travel Trend #2: Shorter vacations will still be appealing

While people want purposeful, value-driven vacations, shorter trips, often referred to as minibreaks, are still in demand. According to booking data from Sunsail, there is a shift towards shorter sailing vacation durations. Seven-night bookings remain the most popular, but 6-day bookings are up 38% YoY and 5-day bookings are up 24% YoY – both growing faster than Sunsail’s total YoY booking growth.

This suggests travelers are increasingly choosing flexible, shorter getaways rather than committing to ten-day or two-week trips. This can be for a myriad of reasons, including financial constraints, a desire for more frequent, less stressful breaks and more time to spend at home during annual leave. For example, people are taking two weeks annual leave, spending a week at home and a week on vacation.

Travel Trend #3: Last-minute bookings are on the rise

Sunsail’s booking data shows strong last-minute vacation bookings for December and January, as people take advantage of more remote working post-Covid and young travelers increasingly favor spontaneity as a new form of freedom. Online searches support this trend, with a 555% increase in “last minute winter sun” over the last three months and a 69% increase in “last minute sun vacations” over the same period.

Travel Trend #4: Multi-generational travel is fueling the ‘Whycation’ travel trend

Multi-generational travel is becoming one of the most meaningful ways families choose to explore the world.

According to a US Family Travel Survey 2025 71% of the participants have already taken multi-generational vacations in the last three years, and 57% now say they will travel with their family next year. This is more than just grandparents helping out parents with grandchildren when abroad; younger people are cleverly using family trips to share costs, split responsibilities and actually spend quality time together.

These insights reflect The Globe Trender’s ‘Whycation’ travel trend, which predicts that by 2026, vacations will be less about ticking off bucket-list destinations and more about using travel to strengthen relationships with friends, family or even oneself.

Alongside this, Family Vacations 2.0 are on the rise. With many young adults in their 20s still living with their parents or returning to the family home after university, and often unable to self-fund big trips, parents are increasingly inviting their grown-up children on their vacations.

These big family trips require careful planning. From keeping teens entertained with adventure and activities, to ensuring grandparents get their relaxation on a beach and parents a sunset cocktail and beachfront dinner, accessibility and flexibility for daily activities must be front of mind.

Jump on your favorite travel trends with Sunsail

From blue health escapes and multi-generational adventure vacations to shorter trips and last minute bookings each of Sunsail’s travel and tourism trends reveal a rise in purpose-led, hyper-personalized vacations for 2026.

Wondering how you can make the most of these trends in 2026? Whether it’s a last minute romantic couple’s escape or an adventure vacation with grandparents in tow, Sunsail’s sailing vacations offer the ideal balance: the freedom to explore new places together, the space to enjoy different experiences each day, and the chance to create lasting memories.