Amadeus reveals the six trends set to reshape travel in 2026

Animals, AI, pop culture and personalisation will take centre stage.

Amadeus, a leader in travel technologies, in partnership with the agency Globetrender, unveils its Travel Trends 2026. This analysis, based on exclusive data, aims to understand the forces that will transform the way we travel in 2026.

Six major trends are emerging, heralding the developments that will shape travel in the years to come.

1. « dog tourism » takes off

Driven by new technologies, regulations and innovations, travelling with pets is experiencing strong growth. It is part of a broader movement, as the global pet industry could reach $500 billion by 2030, according to Bloomberg.

In France, at Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport, dog areas are now available in certain terminals to allow dogs to relax before or after their flight. In addition, in 2026, SkyePets will launch transpacific long-haul flights allowing pets to be carried in the cabin between Australia and the United States.

2. Mixologist travellers : the alchemists of travel

Mixologist travellers are experts who combine different platforms and technologies to create the ideal trip. They begin by exploring the collective intelligence of language models to identify trends, then turn to Google or YouTube to refine their experience with real-world tips and testimonials.

Loved ones remain an important ingredient in this mix. Thus, according to Amadeus’ latest Connected journeys report, a third of French people (34%) rely on those close to them to find destination ideas, ahead of online travel agencies (25%) and television (18%). The use of generative AI tools remains marginal, rising from just 7% to 8% in one year.

3. The world within flying distance

Aeronautical innovation continues to bring the world closer by reducing transit time. In 2026, a new generation of long-range single-aisle aircraft, led in particular by the Airbus A321XLR, will take off. Several airlines have already announced their plans: IndiGo will launch the first non-stop route between India and Athens in January 2026, while Delta Airlines is preparing to link Boston and Nice.

4. Pop tourism

Tourism inspired by pop culture continues to appeal to travellers.
According to Amadeus Travel Intelligence, international searches for San Diego during Comic-Con are up 9 % for 2026. In France, visiting the fabulous apartment of Amélie Poulain in Montmartre remains a must; Expedia noted a +200 % increase in searches for Paris after the latest season of Emily in Paris, and visitors are getting excited about « cottage » vibes such as The Country House – Little House on the Prairie.

These experiences allow travellers to move beyond the screen and feel a true sense of belonging.

5. À la carte stays

Thanks to new technologies, hotels now offer the possibility of personalising every aspect of the room (sports equipment, soundproofing, panoramic screens, or even proximity to the breakfast buffet).

This hyper-personalisation, made possible by the evolution of booking systems such as iHotelier by Amadeus, makes it possible to configure rooms for VR gaming, suites as private offices, or equipment dedicated to wellbeing. With the widespread adoption of generative AI, so-called standard and premium categories will quickly seem outdated, as travellers now seek a fully tailor-made experience.

6. Travel to the future

Chrome robots carry luggage to the train, tickets are purchased with a simple palm scan, tunnels light up with holograms, and 3D-printed dinners are delivered by drone to nearby parks. These futuristic experiences are no longer science fiction and are already beginning to become reality in certain cities.

Flight searches for Shenzhen for the first half of 2026 show an increase of 48 %, reflecting the growing appeal of this global capital of innovation. In addition, the autonomous vehicle specialist Waymo announced last October its intention to deploy its fleet of robotaxis in London as early as 2026.
Wearable devices promise to open up new perspectives. In 2026, Jony Ive, Apple’s famous designer, will present the first hardware device developed by OpenAI. AI-powered instant-translation earbuds already exist, but interspecies translation, mentioned by scientists at the Coller Foundation in the UK, could revolutionise… safaris.

In 2026, travel is opening up to unprecedented creativity. Pets travel with greater consideration, travellers design tailor-made itineraries by combining human and artificial intelligences, planes bring continents closer than ever, pop culture re-enchants destinations, and hospitality becomes a true space for personalised expression. We are entering a new era: travel that is more attentive, more inspired and profoundly transformative, concludes Frédéric Saunier, Managing Director, Travel Sellers France at Amadeus.

Source: TendanceHotellerie.fr