TORONTO — Skyscanner has released its 2026 Travel Trends report, based on its survey of more than 20,000 travellers.
The OTA says “this marks the year where travel becomes more personal than ever. Whether booking a stay inspired by [their] favourite novel, or flying across the world for a viral snack, Canadians are seeking experiences that reflect their identities.”
With that in mind, here are some of the more interesting travel trends …
- Glowmads: Rising interest in beauty and skincare is influencing real-world travel behaviours. Gen Z is pioneering this trend, with 36% planning to seek out beauty treatments and skincare stores while travelling in 2026.
- Altitude Shift: 74% of Canadian travellers considering or planning a mountain escape for summer or autumn 2026.
- Bookbound: 48% per cent of Canadians say that they have booked or would consider booking a trip inspired by literature.
- Family Miles: 34% of Gen Z adults cited saving money as a core incentive for multi-gen family travel.
- Catching Flights & Feelings: 50% of Canadian travellers have gone or have considered going overseas specifically to meet new people.
- Destination Check-In: 44% of travellers say they have picked a destination solely because of the accommodations, and 27% are planning to book a stay that is part of the experience.
- Shelf Discovery: 58% of travellers say they always or often visit supermarkets abroad to stock up on local flavours.
According to the report, these are the top 10 destinations with the biggest year-on-year increase in Skyscanner searches …
- Terceira Lajes, Portugal: +209%
- Basseterre, Saint Kitts: +170%
- Castries, Saint Lucia: +160%
- Guadalajara, Mexico: +146%
- Comox, B.C.: +145%
- Kaohsiung, Taiwan: +122%
- Victoria, B.C.: +115%
- Gander, NL: +105%
- Lyon, France: +99%
- Ponta Delgada, Portugal: +98%
The report also notes these top 10 best value destinations (based on % price drop for economy class return flights booked between Jan. 1 and June 30, 2025 for travel throughout 2025, compared to the same period in 2024)
- Lyon, France: 35% price drop
- Dublin: 29% price drop
- Seoul: 22% price drop
- Bucharest: 21% price drop
- Zurich: 21% price drop
- Venice: 20% price drop
- Ponta Delgada, Portugal: 20% price drop
- Mexico City: 16% price drop
- Dubai: 16% price drop
- Marrakech: 16% price drop
