9 Travel Trends Of 2026 Where Concerts & Grocery Store Finds Dictate Trips

Every year, travel reports tell us what’s going to be big, the destinations, the styles of travel, and the buzzwords. But travel has never really been about trends alone. It’s about feelings and about how a place makes you slow down or see the world differently. As 2026 begins, we decided to look beyond predictions and numbers. Along with industry insights and expert voices, we asked our own team what they’re noticing and quietly hoping becomes more popular this year. So, here are the travel trends we think will dominate travel in 2026, or at least, what we hope will.

Top Travel Trends For 2026

1. Cinema-Inspired Travel

We’ve all watched a film or series and immediately wanted to be there. In 2026, that feeling is turning into full-blown travel plans. Cinema-inspired travel is about chasing places we first fell in love with on screen. Imagine waking up to the view Emily in Paris’s Emily loved when she first moved to Italy in season 5. What makes this trend special is the emotion attached to it. In 2026, stories are shaping itineraries, and travel is becoming a continuation of the films and shows we can’t stop thinking about.

2. Spiritual Solo Travel

Solo travel with a spiritual focus is another change that will become more apparent in 2026. Sanjana, Senior Sun-Editor at Curly Tales, has personally observed this shift. “I have noticed that there can be a surge in solo travel to spiritual destinations, meditation centres, etc.” This trend is being driven by Gen Z, who prefer locations that provide peace and clarity. Alongside this is a growing desire to ditch hotels and tourist traps. Instead, travellers are opting for homestays, cultural workshops, tribal experiences, and intimate supper clubs.

3. Concert Travel

For many young travellers, music has officially become the main reason to travel. According to Airbnb’s latest Experience-Led Travel Insights, live concerts and music festivals are now shaping how and where India’s Gen Z travels. In 2026, 62% of Gen Z Indians are choosing to travel specifically for concerts and music festivals. Moreover, 76% of Gen Z travellers say they visited a city for the first time because of a concert or music festival. In 2026, travel calendars aren’t built around holidays, they’re built around tour dates.

4. Longer Hotel Stays

Short hotel stays are slowly making way for longer, more comfortable experiences. Travellers in 2026 want places that feel like home. They want a sense of belonging, especially when trips last weeks instead of days. As Wajeed Bagwan, General Manager, Marriott Executive Apartments Bengaluru UB City, explains, “By 2026, we expect travellers to favour longer stays that go beyond the traditional hotel experience, looking instead for a true home-away-from-home that supports both work and personal well-being.” The idea is that you should be able to work, rest, and explore without constantly feeling like a guest.

Also Read: What Is Micro Retirement? 12 Places In India And The World For A Restful, Affordable Reset

5. Grocery Store Tourism

Some of the best travel experiences don’t come with a ticket or a guide. They come with a shopping basket. For Tashika, Sub-Editor, Curly Tales, grocery shopping is a must-do while travelling. “I love to go grocery shopping (as mundane as it sounds)! The idea of going to grocery stores in different cities and countries to see their snacks, food, and drinks while travelling is very fascinating to me,” she says. From quirky snacks and local drinks to everyday staples, these stores offer an unfiltered look into how people actually live. It’s simple, affordable, and endlessly fascinating, and we hope it becomes a travel ritual for more people.

6. ‘Decision Detox’ Holidays

If there’s one thing most of us are exhausted by, it’s making decisions. What to book, where to stay, what to see, where to eat, and how to optimise time, money, and energy. Travel has slowly turned into another project to manage. And for that reason, “Decision Detox” vacations are becoming one of the most popular travel trends in 2026. These holidays are showing up in many forms, like curated wellness retreats, cruises, or even thoughtfully designed all-inclusive experiences. It’s travel that gives your mind a holiday too.

7. Cruise Tourism

Cruising is having a quiet glow-up in 2026. It’s no longer about just being on a ship, it’s about getting more out of one single journey. Jurgen Bailom, President & CEO of Waterways Leisure Tourism Pvt. Ltd., Cordelia Cruises, sums it up perfectly, “As we look ahead to 2026, travel decisions are becoming more intentional and experience-led.” Bailom adds that “value is no longer defined by price alone, but by convenience, inclusivity, and the quality of experiences offered.” Cruises, with their many destinations, carefully chosen experiences, and stress-free travel, are a perfect fit for this way of thinking.

8. Slow Travel

In 2026, slow travel is becoming more and more popular and personal. Ashmeet, Writer, Curly Tales, shares, “I have noticed that slow travel has become common, and I think it will be trending again in 2026.” This kind of travel is about wandering local markets, finding hidden bookshops, visiting stationery stores, and spending time in neighbourhood cafés. It’s about skipping the must-see lists and discovering a city at your own pace.

9. Hyper-Personalised Travel

While some travellers want to stop making decisions, others want trips that reflect them more than ever. That’s where hyper-personalised travel steps in as one of the defining trends of 2026.

Maybe you’re a late riser who values slow breakfasts or someone who travels primarily for food, books, nature, or wellness. Travellers no longer want generic recommendations, they want a trip that aligns with who they are. In 2026, the most memorable journeys will be the ones that feel deeply personal and effortlessly right.

In 2026, travel trends will let you rediscover why you fell in love with travelling in the first place.

Cover Image Courtesy: Canva/ RF._.studio _ and Canva/Wendy Wei