22places Travel Trend Report 2026

Despite Crises, We're Not Giving Up on Vacation

Dreamy beaches, unique landscapes, unfamiliar cultures, and incredible food — travel has a way of making everyday stress disappear.

And those experiences are exactly what make life truly worth living, right?

Yes, say 43 percent of the 2,584 participants in our most comprehensive survey to date for the 22places Travel Trend Report 2026. For them, travel is very important and a central part of their lives.

Another 52 percent describe travel as an important part of their lives. For us, these numbers show that the importance of travel in society is extremely high.

For 95 percent of the 22places travel community, travel is not a distant dream but a fixed part of their personal life plans.

Given the daily news cycle, this number is particularly remarkable. Despite ongoing global crises and noticeably rising living costs, the urge to discover the world remains unbroken.

Additional results from our survey confirm this: 69 percent plan to travel just as much in 2026 as in 2025. One in four people even wants to travel more often.

• For the 22places community in 2026, travel is no longer a luxury item that gets cut at the first sign of a crisis.
• Travel is a fixed part of the annual budget — the last thing many people would cut back on.

The Most Popular Travel Destinations

Short Trip Trends: Germany Is the #1 Short Trip Destination

An absolute anchor of the 2026 travel year is the short trip. More than 96 percent of the community want to take at least one short trip this year.

The majority even plan three to four short trips. One short trip per quarter is the new short trip trend for 2026.

These short getaways mean above all a break from the stressful work routine. They’re deliberately planned around long weekends, work schedules, or school vacations — squeezing the maximum amount of rest out of a few days off.

Hamburg and Berlin Are the Most Popular City Destinations for 2026

At least one city trip is a must for around three quarters of travelers. Two German cities share the top spot among short trip destinations: Hamburg and Berlin.

Both cities consistently manage to reinvent themselves, drawing in culture lovers and foodies alike.

Following closely are many of our all-time city trip classics, such as:

• Amsterdam
• Paris
• Vienna
• London
• Munich
• Rome

And Cologne, with its musicals and carnival, also secures 10th place among the most popular short trip destinations for 2026.

Alongside cities, classic German vacation regions are also especially popular for short trips in 2026. But they’re not a counter-trend to cities — they’re the emotional counterpart. They simply fulfill a different need: unwinding instead of stimulation, relaxation instead of a packed itinerary.

The top short trip destinations for relaxation are, by a wide margin, the Baltic Sea and the North Sea Islands. Followed by trips:

• to the Harz
• to the Allgäu
• to the Moselle
• to the Black Forest
• to the Eifel

Overall, Germany is not Plan B but Plan A for half of all participants.

Trailing far behind are the Netherlands. Around 6 percent of respondents name it as a short trip destination for 2026. The country is a true all-rounder — which is why the whole country, rather than specific cities, is often cited as a destination.

Spain and Thailand Are the Most Popular Vacation Destinations for 2026

But short trips don’t replace longer vacations. On the contrary: the classic main vacation of a week or more remains the fixed highlight of the year for 99 percent.

What has changed dramatically, however, is the frequency: two big trips per year have become the established standard for almost half of respondents in 2026.

Many of them plan a second, intentional getaway alongside the classic summer vacation — often in winter to escape the cold. The desire for warmth during the dark months is probably one of the strongest drivers behind this trend.

For 16 percent, one long vacation is enough. 37 percent say they need at least three long trips per year.

Europe Leads the Way for Long Vacations

Most travelers are drawn to Europe. Six of the top ten destinations for 2026 are in Europe.

The clear winner is Spain. Given the wide range of destinations available, a share of nearly 7 percent is enough to claim first place.

Spain, with Mallorca, the warm Canary Islands, and the diverse mainland, simply has something to offer every type of traveler — which is exactly why it keeps topping the charts.

And the next spots remain European:

• Italy
• France
• Greece

All three countries are also hugely popular for a longer vacation in 2026.

Asia Is the Most Popular Continent for Long-Haul Travel

With 3.5 percent, Thailand comes in at 5th place. The Asian nation is thus the most popular long-haul destination for 2026. It’s especially popular among young adults thanks to its excellent infrastructure and variety.

And it’s not just the 22places community saying so — the trend report from the German travel portal Urlaubsguru also confirms Thailand as a top long-haul pick for 2026.

Japan is also in the top 10. A look at Google Trends shows that interest in Japan has been growing steadily for several years. That makes Asia the most important long-haul continent for 2026. One in ten people wants to travel there this year.

USA Losing Its Appeal: The 2026 World Cup Only Briefly Offsets the Downward Trend

The biggest loser this year is the USA. While the country still sits at 9th place with 2.5 percent, the data paints a contradictory picture.

On one hand, the 2026 FIFA World Cup (co-hosted with Canada and Mexico) is generating short-term booking records across the 11 US host cities.

On the other hand, Google Trends and the YouGov survey “German International Traveler Outlook 2026” show that the overall appeal of the USA as a long-term travel destination has declined significantly since Donald Trump’s return to the presidency.

While sports fans are traveling for the tournament, political polarization is putting off regular vacationers. The World Cup is acting as nothing more than a temporary band-aid on an otherwise declining trend.

Africa Is a More Popular Destination Than the USA in 2026

As a result, overall more people plan to travel to Africa than to North America. Leading the way is South Africa. But Morocco, Namibia, and safaris in Tanzania and beyond are also growing in popularity.

Hidden Gems Over Mainstream: Alternative Destinations on the Rise

Alongside the obvious trending destinations, 2026 is also seeing a rise in alternative destinations. While they’re mentioned far less frequently, they come up with striking consistency — and that’s exactly where their significance lies.

These are places our travel community deliberately turns to when well-known spots become too crowded, too expensive, or too predictable.

In Europe, Portugal stands out above all. Around 7 percent of respondents name it as a destination. But the focus is clearly away from the tourist bustle — leaning instead toward nature, wild coastlines, and tranquility.

Following that are Scandinavian regions off the beaten path and Slovenia as an underrated mix of nature and cities. Other under-the-radar picks for 2026 include the Azores, Madeira, and northern Spain.

Asia Is Also #1 Among Alternative Destinations

Preferences are shifting for long-haul travel as well. Vietnam is, at 4 percent, the most popular alternative to Thailand and Japan. Sri Lanka follows at 3 percent. After the Asian countries comes Namibia at 2.5 percent.

Indonesia beyond Bali, as well as Peru and Chile, remain small at 1.5 to 2 percent, but are incredibly emotionally charged in the minds of our community.

The key takeaway for the travel industry: In 2026, trends aren’t created by new hypes, but by shifting demand. When popular destinations reach their limits, quieter, less touristy alternatives gain traction.

Algorithm vs. Real Experience: Why AI Loses at Trip Planning

What holds true for travel destinations in 2026 also applies to trip planning: it’s not about new tools, but about reliability.

In an era where artificial intelligence (AI) seems to be taking over everything, our report reveals a surprising counter-trend: when it comes to the most precious weeks of the year, we trust people, not algorithms.

Apparently, only real people with real emotions can truly plan great trips.

Nearly three quarters of all survey participants plan their trips exclusively using human sources. These include professional travel blogs, personal recommendations from friends, traditional travel guides, and curated social media content.

Another 20 percent combine AI and human expertise, but rely primarily on people.

To our surprise, this is completely cross-generational. Even among 18- to 28-year-olds, nearly 90 percent plan their trips primarily using human sources. What isn’t surprising, on the other hand, is that AI usage declines slightly with age.

Only 3 Percent of Travelers Rely Solely on AI for Trip Planning

Our trend report clearly disproves the widespread assumption that Gen Z only plans trips using ChatGPT and similar tools.

Only around 3 percent of the entire community rely exclusively on AI tools. AI does play a role in 2026 — just a small one.

From our community’s responses, we can see: they use AI to save time, to structure information, and to gather initial ideas. But once things get specific, most people prefer to rely on real experiences from real people.

“I use AI at the very beginning of trip planning and then verify the suggestions through travel blogs and similar sources. Then I adjust my own plans based on the travel bloggers’ recommendations. I trust AI less for that.” Statements like this came up multiple times in the open-text responses.

The 22places Travel Trend Report 2026 Confirms International Trends

Skepticism remains high: “AI makes too many mistakes” or “I trust recommendations from someone who was actually there more” are common pieces of feedback from the community. Many also say they simply haven’t tried AI for trip planning yet.

This tendency aligns with what is being observed internationally: the renowned US luxury and lifestyle travel magazine Condé Nast Traveler describes a return to “on-the-ground knowledge” in 2026 — meaning recommendations from people who were actually there and know details that chatbots can’t reliably provide.

The reason is clear: 80 percent of survey participants use human experts because they bring their own personal travel experiences to the table. Their recommendations feel more credible, more trustworthy, and more true to life than automated responses.

For our travel community, planning a trip is often a rare, expensive, and emotionally significant decision.

Our key insight: AI helps with searching. People help with deciding.

Experiences Over Rest: What Matters on Vacation in 2026

Rather than just lying on the beach, travelers in 2026 want to actually experience something. The community is looking for trips that offer genuine experiences, variety, and a clear sense of direction.

The most popular travel style in 2026 is clearly city travel. For nearly three quarters of respondents, city trips are among their absolute favorite ways to travel. They combine exactly what many people are looking for: culture, great food, fresh inspiration, and a packed experience — even with limited time.

Following behind are adventure and active vacations, road trips, and nature travel. Experiences and new discoveries matter more than pure relaxation.

The classic beach vacation remains relevant, but is rarely the sole goal anymore. Instead, it’s increasingly combined with cities, nature, or activities.

'Hybrid Travel' Is a Clear Trend for 2026

We see a clear trend for the future: “hybrid travel.” The perfect vacation in 2026 is not an “either/or.” It’s a mix of city and nature, experience and relaxation, road trip and fixed base. Pure travel styles are rarely mentioned in the survey.

A good vacation thrives on variety: “A mix. Just the beach is too boring. Vacation needs to be varied” is just one example of the many open-text responses.

'Cruises Are Not a Mass Phenomenon — But a Solid Niche'

Also interesting here is another look at the open-ended responses: more than 4 percent of the community also enjoy going on a cruise. For us, a logical addition to the travel mix — ideal for anyone who wants to see a lot without having to plan everything from scratch each time.

Cruises are definitely on the rise and represent a central desire for 2026: variety, comfort, and predictability all in one.

What stands out, on the other hand, is what no longer plays a major role: pure backpacking and classic low-budget travel are losing ground. Even among travelers in their 20s, only about one in four still goes on a backpacking trip.

The trend in travel style is therefore clear to us: freedom, yes — but with comfort, structure, and reliability.

A Matter of Trust: Where We Get Our Travel Ideas

But what do we actually expect from these trips in 2026? Why do we want to travel to these specific countries and take these kinds of trips?

Before getting into specific motivations and expectations, we asked ourselves: how do travel ideas come about in the first place?

Our survey shows: inspiration rarely comes from quick impulses. For 80 percent, it comes from travel blogs and editorial content. For more than half, it also comes from recommendations from friends and family.

One in three people also draws inspiration from Instagram posts. For Generation Z, it’s actually the single most important source. Social media will therefore continue to play an increasingly important role in travel inspiration going forward.

Culture and Climate: How We Choose Our Destinations

Why do we choose country A over country B? The primary motivation for the clear majority is the desire for new experiences. We travel to broaden our horizons.

For two thirds of respondents, the focus is on cultural experiences. Classic sightseeing is therefore still very important. For slightly more than half, relaxation also matters — but it’s not the deciding factor.

At 44 percent, experiences in nature also play a central role in destination decisions — often as a complement and counterbalance to sightseeing. Interestingly, only one in three wants to be really active on vacation.

These expectations don’t stay abstract. They’re directly reflected in the criteria travelers use to choose their destinations.

'Good Weather Remains the Most Important Factor in Choosing a Destination'

Climate is a huge topic for 2026. Weather is one of the most important criteria for 56 percent when choosing a destination. The second most important factor is a diverse range of activities and nature experiences.

Almost every other person also selected “longing factor.” This confirms just how emotionally charged the topic of travel is for people in 2026. Travel is no longer pure relaxation. Travel fulfills deep desires.

Aspects like safety and easy accessibility are now viewed by the community as basic prerequisites. They’re not “nice-to-haves” — they’re the baseline without which a destination isn’t even considered.

Of course, money is also an important factor for our travel community. For nearly half, a good price-to-value ratio is also an important criterion — especially for travelers in their 20s and those 70 and older.

Quality Is the Priority: How Much We're Spending on Travel in 2026

On the topic of money, the 22places Trend Report sends a clear signal to the travel industry: those who travel want quality and are willing to pay for it. For our community, travel is a conscious investment in their own quality of life.

For a short trip of two to three nights, nine out of ten people spend at least $250 per person. One in three spends $500 or more.

This shows: when time is limited, the willingness to pay for a prime-location accommodation, great food, and special experiences is extremely high. If you only have 48 hours, you don’t want to waste time in bad hotels or on long subway rides.

The picture becomes especially clear when we look at both the number of trips and the budget together. The majority of respondents plan three to four short trips per year and spend $250 to $500 per trip. Extrapolated, that comes to an annual budget of $750 to $2,000 — just for short trips.

Crucially, these expenses come on top of the main vacation. We see a very clear trend: short trips don’t replace the long vacation, they complement it. And they get their own, generous budget for it.

For longer trips of a week or more, more than 70 percent of respondents plan a budget of at least $1,000 per person. One in six even budgets $2,000 or more.

Especially important: for most people, this budget is planned not just once, but for each of two major trips per year. That means they’re spending at least $2,000 on big trips of a week or more. And we all know how it goes: you tend to treat yourself on vacation and end up spending more than planned.

Quality Couple Time: Who We're Exploring the World With in 2026

Travel in 2026 is above all one thing: shared time. 63 percent of short trips are planned with a partner, and around 40 percent each with family or friends.

For longer trips, the dynamic shifts somewhat. The longer the trip and the higher the costs, the smaller the group of travel companions becomes.

For the big vacation, a partner remains the central anchor for 62 percent. Family vacations hold steady at 40 percent. The share of trips with friends drops, however, to 23 percent.

The likely reasons are the high coordination effort and potential for conflict in complex travel plans.

In 2026, the “big trip” is taken with the most important people in your life. Solo travel, at 12 percent, is a stable trend but remains a niche.

Traveling with Kids and the Greatest Travel Dreams

Traveling with Kids: Why Families Are Changing the Travel Market

A quarter of our community travels with children. And our results clearly show that kids are no obstacle to travel.

For 94 percent of families, travel remains important and is firmly built into their year. Of those, 69 percent plan to travel about as much in 2026 as in 2025, and another 22 percent plan to travel even more.

One of the most interesting findings: families use AI in trip planning somewhat more often than other groups. Looking more closely, this makes sense.

Families don’t need less help and fewer tips from real people — they just need to be more efficient in their preparation first. 17 percent say clearly: AI saves time and effort.

When it comes to actual trip planning with kids, 87 percent still rely primarily on human sources. They also say that people simply have more genuine firsthand experience.

'Almost Every Other Family Plans 2 Major Trips'

Among families too, the trend is toward two major trips per year. 43 percent are planning at least that for 2026. Only one in six families still takes the classic single annual vacation. Interestingly, more than one in three families wants to take more than three major trips.

To make that work, a few short trips get cut. 42 percent plan one to two set short getaways per year, and 38 percent plan three to four short trips. This shifts the balance slightly compared to solo travelers.

Despite fewer short trips, families are among the most important target groups for high-quality travel offerings. Because our results show: travel budget (per person) barely changes with children.

For a longer vacation of a week or more, more than half of families spend around $1,000 to $2,000 per person. This means families are willing to spend more on the big vacation.

As with the number of short trips, 17 percent of families do make compromises on the budget for a short trip — trying to keep costs under $250 per person.

But even here: 57 percent of travelers are still willing, even with kids, to spend up to $500 per person for a short break from everyday life.

The clear trend: families aren’t looking for cheap solutions, but for ones that ease the demands of family life and guarantee valuable shared moments.

This is also reflected in destination choices. Not all travelers limit themselves when it comes to where to go with kids. There’s still a desire to experience things. For 70 percent, new experiences are the most important reason they travel. But just under two thirds of families also say that relaxation remains important.

'Italy Is the Most Popular Vacation Destination for Families in 2026'

Interestingly, although only 12 percent say proximity to home is important to them, the top five destinations for the big vacation are very easy to reach — including by car.

The most popular destination for families in 2026 is Italy. 38 percent plan to spend their big vacation there this year. The most frequently mentioned regions are South Tyrol, Tuscany, Lake Garda, Sardinia, and Sicily.

Nearly one in three families plans to stay in Germany in 2026. Following that are other European countries: Austria, Spain, and France. Only one long-haul destination makes it into the top ten: the USA — which is, overall, the big loser.

Germany remains the top destination for short trips. Every other family plans to stay in their home country for at least one trip. Hamburg and Berlin remain the most popular city destinations, and the Baltic Sea is the dominant region.

But about one in six families also plans a short trip to Vienna, Paris, or London — the most frequently mentioned cities outside Germany.

When it comes to choosing a destination, it’s less about adventure and more about everything running smoothly. Planning becomes more important for families, and reliable sources of information and genuine tips become a deciding factor.

Our conclusion: With kids, the 22places community doesn’t travel less. Families are just less spontaneous and make more deliberate choices.

If Anything Were Possible: The Dream Destinations of 2026

What happens when time and money are no longer a factor? In our survey, we asked the 22places community about their ultimate dream destination. And the answers show: dream destinations in 2026 are places, yes — but above all they’re feelings that those places are meant to evoke.

When it comes to dream destinations, it’s not about luxury hotels or overpriced cocktails on a palm-lined beach. What people really long for is peace and destinations with deep meaning.

And so the ranking of dream destinations is led by countries that stand for unique landscapes and a feeling of boundless freedom. And for a long time now, that’s no longer the USA.

It’s New Zealand. With more than 8 percent, it is the undisputed number one dream destination. When it comes to the why, the community is unanimous: “the fascinating nature,” “the diversity of the country,” and “the feeling of being at the other end of the world” are reasons cited by nearly everyone.

What’s surprising is that many of those who name New Zealand as their absolute dream destination have already been there — but simply can’t get enough of the country.

With 6 percent each, Japan and Australia share second place among dream destinations. Japan fulfills the longing to step into a completely different culture. Australia — as it has been for years — is associated with the dream of the ultimate road trip.

Dreams Know No Age — But They Do Evolve

One fascinating result from our report: the big travel dreams are similar across age groups. New Zealand is number one in every age group.

Yet motivation shifts with age. While Generation Z sees the world primarily as a “space of possibility” for expanding their horizons and finding their identity, Millennials and Generation X seek in distant places a “counterworld” to their packed everyday lives.

In older age, from 61 onwards, the longing transforms into the desire for completion — fulfilling long-postponed wishes of the heart, consciously and with plenty of time.

Women and Men Dream Differently

It’s also interesting to look at the gender divide: women and men often dream of the same places but describe their motivation differently.

Women choose emotional language. For them, travel is a state of being. They seek places that “magically draw them in” or where they can “finally breathe.”

Men describe travel more as an experience or a project. Here you hear phrases like “once in a lifetime,” “challenge,” or “one-of-a-kind discovery.”

Our most important insight from thousands of open-text responses: if anything were possible, people in 2026 dream not of more, but of less — and different. Fewer people, fewer appointments, less noise. Different cultures, different perspectives, and above all: as far away from Europe as possible.

Travel thus becomes a search for meaning. We seek reconnection with nature and with ourselves. A dream destination in 2026 is the place where we don’t lose ourselves — but find ourselves.

Conclusion and Methodology

The 22places Travel Trend Report: In Conclusion

The 22places Travel Trend Report 2026 makes one thing clear: despite a world in a permanent state of crisis, people don’t want to give up traveling. Travel and short getaways are probably more important than ever for many people.

Because travel is: a break from everyday life, an emotional anchor, shared time, and self-fulfillment.

The key findings:
Travel is crisis-proof: For 95% of people, travel is no longer a luxury item but a fixed part of personal life planning. Despite global crises and rising costs, the urge to discover the world remains unbroken.

Germany is short trip destination #1: Short trips are important breaks from stressful everyday life. The trend is toward one short trip per quarter. Germany remains the number one destination, with Hamburg and Berlin as the most popular city destinations and the coasts dominating among nature destinations.

Spain and Thailand are the most popular vacation destinations: Two major trips per year have become the norm for almost half of respondents, often to deliberately escape the cold in winter. While Spain remains the most popular destination in Europe, Thailand is the leading long-haul destination. The USA is the biggest loser due to political polarization.

Alternative destinations are on the rise: In 2026, trends aren’t being driven by new hypes, but by a shift toward quieter, less touristy alternatives like Portugal, Slovenia, or Vietnam. These destinations are gaining significant traction as well-known destinations start feeling too crowded or too expensive.

Human experience beats AI: When planning the most valuable weeks of the year, travelers trust people, not algorithms. Nearly three quarters rely exclusively on human sources such as travel blogs or personal recommendations. While AI is used to save time and organize information, real, verifiable experiences are what count when making the final decision.

“Hybrid travel” is the clear trend: The perfect vacation is a mix of city and nature, experience and relaxation. Pure beach vacations are becoming less common; instead, travelers are looking for variety, culture, and fresh inspiration.

Travel inspiration: Ideas rarely come from quick impulses, but primarily from travel blogs and editorial content (80%) as well as recommendations from friends. Social media is playing a growing role, and for Generation Z it is the most important source.

Climate and culture influence destination choices: The primary motivation for travel is the desire for new experiences and cultural discoveries to broaden one’s horizons. Weather is the most important criterion for 56% when choosing a destination, while safety and accessibility are now taken for granted as basic requirements.

Money is being spent on quality: Those traveling in 2026 prioritize quality over budget travel and view their vacation as an investment in their own quality of life. Willingness to pay is high: short trips often see spending of $250 to $500, while for longer trips more than 70 percent budget at least $1,000 per person.

Travel is couple time: In 2026, travel is above all shared time with a partner or family. The longer and more expensive the trip, the smaller the group of travel companions. Trips with friends decline for longer journeys, as the coordination effort and potential for conflict in complex plans is likely felt to be too high.

Families as a target group for high-quality travel offerings: Families don’t travel less — they plan more intensively, earlier, and rely on dependable sources to minimize risk. They are a key target group for premium offerings, as they are willing to spend similar amounts to travelers without children in exchange for reduced stress in family life and smooth-running logistics.

New Zealand is the #1 dream destination: When money is no object, people don’t dream of luxury but of peace, deep meaning, and reconnection with nature. New Zealand is the undisputed dream destination across all age groups, evoking a feeling of boundless freedom and breathtaking nature.

About the Survey

The 22places Travel Trend Report 2026 is based on an independent, self-conducted survey carried out in November and December 2025.

The goal of the survey was to paint an authentic picture of the travel intentions, decision-making processes, and aspirations of the German-speaking travel community for the 2026 travel year.