Travel Trends

Today, Airlines Reporting Corp. (ARC) released data showing U.S.-based travel agency air ticket sales totaled $100.4 billion in 2025. The annual sales total grew 1% from 2024 and represents the highest annual total recorded by ARC.

Accor and trend forecasting agency Globetrender have identified eight key trends that will shape experiential travel in 2026, emphasizing the growing importance of emotional experiences, authenticity, and personal connection in how people choose and enjoy travel.

Future Partners reports that American travelers are prioritizing travel in 2026 but are approaching the year with increased financial caution, selective planning, and a focus on value amid ongoing economic uncertainty.

TripAdvisor’s 2026 Travelers’ Choice Awards highlight Bali as the world’s top destination, New York City as the leading U.S. city, and Madeira, Portugal, as the fastest-trending global location, based on millions of traveler reviews and ratings.

MMGY’s latest report indicates that U.S. leisure travelers are adjusting their travel planning and spending strategies in response to ongoing economic pressures.

otal demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPK), was up 5.7% compared to November 2024. Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), increased 5.4% year-on-year. The load factor was 83.7% (+0.3 ppt compared to November 2024), a record high for November.

The numbers are in — here are the destinations that generated the most interest among leisure and business travellers who were travelling by air in 2025.

Phocuswright analysts predict significant advancements in travel technology by 2026, emphasizing the integration of agentic AI, biometrics, and personalized experiences that enhance human connections and streamline travel processes.

As we enter 2026, there’s another major force reshaping the leisure travel landscape: food. Culinary tourism is no longer a side dish. This main course is changing how people choose destinations, their itineraries, and how they share their experiences.

Rising travel costs are significantly altering American travel behaviors, with a notable shift towards more intentional and value-focused trip planning, according to a recent study by Internova Travel Group.