Passport, meet personality.
After watching People We Meet on Vacation twice in one week, we can’t help but feel the pull of Poppy’s iconic wanderlust. And we know we’re not alone. Lucky for us, Fora, the modern, tech-forward travel agency, just dropped its fourth annual Hot List for travel trends. And if the last couple of years were all about “revenge travel,” 2026 is for the experience-forward trips.
High on people’s experience planning lists included railway retreats (55% increase) with luxury train travel coming back in a big way, self-service wellness (134% increase) for those looking for expansive treatments, and premium play (over 150% increase) with travelers looking to explore all ages attractions like water parks.
According to Fora, top travel destinations are going to be Mexico City, Japan (outside of the big cities), The Nordics (Denmark, Iceland, Norway), South American beaches, and The Carolinas. These destinations have seen an increase in bookings through Fora and have become increasingly popular for rich storytelling and culture-fueled experiences that are redefining what premium travel means.
Apart from experience-heavy vacations to new locales, solo traveling (132% increase) and pet-friendly travel (178% increase) are both highly important today. Notably, solo travel is especially popular with women, which the company said reflects a seize-the-moment attitude because these travelers aren’t putting their plans on hold. Dogs are also thriving under these new plans, with hotels increasingly rolling out room-service menus designed for them, spa treatments, and specialized concierges.
Other experiences high on people’s planning lists included railway retreats (55% increase) with luxury train travel coming back in a big way, self-service wellness (134% increase) for those looking for expansive treatments, and premium play (over 150% increase) with travelers looking to explore all ages attractions like water parks.
Overall, 2026 is redefining luxury as something deeper, cooler, and a lot more personal. So go ahead: Take the solo trip, bring the pup, and say yes to the water slide.
