2026 Travel Trends Unveiled: Extreme Adventures, Family Travel, and Pet Tourism on the Rise, All You Need To Know

Published on
January 28, 2026

As travel continues to evolve in 2026, Tripadvisor’s Trendcast is unveiling a seismic shift in how people approach their trips. No longer are destinations the sole focus; travelers are increasingly prioritizing experiences that create lasting memories and deeper connections. This year’s Trendcast report, based on over one billion reviews and contributions from travelers worldwide, reveals that experiences are now driving travel planning more than ever before. From extreme adventures to pet-friendly travel, the 2026 trends paint a picture of how the industry is evolving toward more meaningful, personalized travel.

The Rise of Sweat Jetting: Active Travel Takes Center Stage

One of the most prominent trends identified in the 2026 Trendcast is Sweat Jetting, a movement that combines fitness with travel. Active travel is no longer just a hobby but an identity, as travelers embark on “mara-cations” and “race-cations.” Major marathons are drawing thousands of visitors, with event tourism seeing remarkable growth. For example, the Chicago Marathon saw a 300% increase in visitors, while the Boston and Berlin Marathons experienced similar spikes.

Travelers are also increasingly booking fitness-focused adventures, such as cycling in Marrakech, marathons in Tokyo, and Olympic-style small-group workouts in Athens. As more people integrate fitness into their travels, destinations are adapting to provide unforgettable experiences that challenge physical limits while offering a connection to the local culture.

Extreme and On the Edge: Pushing Boundaries with High-Impact Adventures

Travelers are flocking to extreme destinations that push their limits. The Extreme and On the Edge trend highlights the surge in high-adrenaline activities like glacier tours, lava field excursions, and heli-hiking adventures. Year-over-year growth for these experiences has skyrocketed, with glacier tours up 29% and heli-hiking increasing by 56%.

This trend taps into the desire for the extraordinary, with travelers seeking experiences at the edge of the Earth, from snow leopard treks in Ladakh to underground city tours in Turkey. These adventurous journeys offer an opportunity to explore remote, awe-inspiring places, satisfying the urge to witness the world’s most extreme landscapes.

It’s a Kid’s World: Family Travel Led by Children

Another defining trend in 2026 is It’s a Kid’s World, where children are taking the reins in family travel planning. With a 19% increase in bookings for experiences with children’s tickets, it’s clear that families are embracing child-led itineraries. Heritage tours and cooking classes have seen significant growth, with bookings for these experiences rising by 40% and 47%, respectively.

Destinations like London, Seoul, and Rome are offering family-friendly activities, such as Harry Potter tours, K-pop hunting, and pizza-making classes. This trend is not just about kid-friendly destinations but about empowering children to choose their own travel experiences, making family travel even more engaging and meaningful.

Soft Clubbing: The New Wave of Nightlife

Nightlife is undergoing a transformation, with Soft Clubbing replacing traditional clubbing scenes. Travelers are now seeking more intentional and restorative music experiences, such as DJ sets on the water and vinyl-focused listening bars. These new nightlife experiences emphasize relaxation and community rather than the high-energy club scene of the past.

Venues like Tokyo’s Bar Martha and New York’s Public Records have seen a surge in bookings, up 64% year-over-year. The rise of Soft Clubbing highlights a desire for unique, memorable music experiences that allow travelers to unwind and connect with their surroundings in a deeper way. From silent discos in London to soundbaths in Joshua Tree, these offerings appeal to those seeking something more than just a typical night out.

VIP (Very Important Pet) Tourism: A Surge in Pet-Friendly Travel

The VIP Tourism trend, where pets are treated like family members, is experiencing explosive growth in 2026. With a 260% increase in pet-friendly travel bookings, it’s clear that pets are no longer left behind when it comes to vacations. Travelers are designing entire trips around their pets’ needs, from luxury pet amenities to pet-friendly excursions.

Pet-friendly activities, such as electric bike tours in Monterey Bay and 4×4 tours in Sedona, allow furry companions to join in the fun. Destinations across the globe are catering to this growing market, with cafes, hotels, and even entire tours dedicated to ensuring pets have a memorable vacation too.

The Shift Toward Meaningful Travel Experiences

At the heart of these trends is a growing desire for travel that goes beyond sightseeing. As Laurel Greatrix, Chief Communications Officer at Tripadvisor, notes, travelers are increasingly seeking experiences that foster local connections, physical challenges, and opportunities for the entire group to say “yes” to. This trend is reshaping the way trips are planned, with experiences taking precedence over destinations.

As the year unfolds, travelers will continue to prioritize experiences that allow them to engage with local cultures, push their physical limits, and connect with others in meaningful ways. Whether it’s a marathon, an extreme adventure, a family-friendly cooking class, or a pet-inclusive vacation, these experiences are at the forefront of the 2026 travel revolution.

The Year of Meaningful Travel Experiences

The 2026 Tripadvisor Trendcast reveals that travel is evolving in exciting new directions. Experiences are now the driving force behind travel decisions, with active adventures, family-friendly activities, and pet-friendly vacations leading the charge. As travelers seek deeper connections, personal challenges, and unique ways to engage with destinations, the trends highlighted in the report reflect a significant shift in how travel is approached.

The future of travel exists because travelers need to experience authentic destinations which enable them to discover local customs and build connections with local residents. The upcoming year will experience upcoming travel trends which will make 2026 into a year when people will experience more personalized and immersive travel experiences which will create stronger connections with others.