Skyscanner has released its 2026 Travel Trends report, describing 2026 as the year travel becomes personal, from the destinations travellers choose to the rituals they build into each journey. The report notes that holidays will no longer be an escape from real life but a way to feel more connected to it.
Using proprietary data, a commissioned survey of over 1,000 Singapore travellers, and industry insights, the 2026 Travel Trends report identifies the top 10 trending and best-value destinations for the year ahead and outlines emerging travel behaviours.
In 2025, travellers searched for shared stories and collective experiences. In 2026, travel will become increasingly personal, centred on human connection and relationships. Singapore travellers are making connections beyond their own circles, with 65% having travelled or considered travelling overseas to meet new people. Among younger travellers, 66% of Gen Z and 70% of millennials have done so or are considering it, compared with 36% of boomers.
Intergenerational travel is also becoming more prominent, with almost four in 10 Singapore travellers planning a family trip for their next holiday. More than one in four Gen Z travellers have already travelled with both parents and grandparents. 43% said travelling together is one of the few times they can fully connect with loved ones, while another 43% said it is a way to show appreciation to their elders.
Personalised travel is also reflected in new trends.
Book-bound travel sees 71% of Gen Z and millennials booking or considering a trip inspired by books or literary content. Glowmads plan holidays around beauty experiences, with 49% buying local beauty products unavailable at home and 39% visiting specialist beauty stores such as French pharmacies or Korean shops.
Altitude Shift points to a growing interest in mountain destinations throughout the year, with 81% planning or considering a summer or autumn trip to the mountains. Destination Check-In reflects travellers’ preference for unique accommodations that define their trip, with 60% choosing destinations based on the property itself.
Shelf Discovery highlights how 60% of travellers see local supermarkets as a way to understand local culture, with many seeking out snacks and limited-edition products as souvenirs.
Singapore travellers intend to travel more in the year ahead, with value remaining a key priority. 85% plan to spend the same or more on flights, 80% on accommodation, and 47% on car hire compared with 2025. Price remains decisive, with 71% saying flight costs determine their destination choice.
Travellers are also turning to digital tools to make more cost-effective choices, such as flight trackers that highlight recent price drops, search features that rank destinations by cost, and planners that identify the most affordable travel periods. Booking early increases the likelihood of securing preferred destinations, while flexible cancellation options provide added peace of mind.
Skyscanner travel trends and destination expert, Cyndi Hui, shared: “Marked by a shift toward deeper connections and hyper-personalised moments, today’s travellers are curating journeys that feel unmistakably their own. The future of travel will be curated, considered and cleverer than before. Technology will play a pivotal role in the shift from collective to personalised travel in 2026. Travellers are becoming increasingly savvy, embracing digital tools from inspiration to booking.”
View the full report here.
