The SCMP recently suggested several types of travel that are expected to be inspiring for tourists and are predicted to be popular in 2026.
Astronomy tourism
Instead of just seeking out majestic landmarks or magnificent mountains, more and more tourists are turning their attention to night sky tourism. In particular, the total solar eclipse on August 12th is considered a key factor driving the trend of astronomical tourism in 2026.
Ideal destinations for admiring the pristine night sky include the Atacama Desert (Chile), the Aoraki Mackenzie Reserve (New Zealand), and Arizona (USA). Notably, Utah, USA, is considered the most outstanding, boasting the world's largest number of internationally certified night sky parks, with 26.
According to the travel company Intrepid, tours to see the total solar eclipse in 2026 have quickly filled up. Due to high demand, the number of trips to Egypt in 2027 has also doubled. Notably, the majority of bookings are middle-aged people and multi-generational families, demonstrating the widespread appeal of this type of tourism.
Nostalgic tourism
Most people love experiences that take them back to their childhood. And now, travelers are increasingly seeking something similar, trying to recreate childhood memories as adults. Popular destinations include quaint towns and adventures that evoke a sense of nostalgia.
“We’ve noticed that customers are increasingly drawn to trips that evoke magical feelings from their childhood, whether it’s sleeping in a treehouse under the stars or experiencing a cowboy adventure on horseback,” said James Turner, founder of 360 Private Travel.
According to James Turner, today's travelers seek authentic experiences that can bring joy, surprise, and evoke a sense of innocence where anything seems possible.
He believes that nostalgic tourism will continue to strongly influence travel choices and plans in the coming years, as this trend is linked to emotions and the desire to return to the simple values of life.
Community experience
In modern life, travelers are increasingly inclined to avoid crowded destinations and familiar landmarks in search of more authentic and enriching experiences.
According to Timbuktu Travel, the number of bookings for trips in 2026 focusing on cultural and community experiences has doubled compared to 2025.
Co-founder Johnny Prince believes that cultural tourism will become one of the most influential trends in the future.
Travelers will no longer be satisfied with destinations that have become too familiar on social media. Instead, they seek meaningful journeys that can create a genuine connection with the land and the local people.
He said that Timbuktu Travel has recently organized experiences such as learning traditional weaving techniques preserved by the Andean community for over 5,000 years, or living and sleeping outdoors in the Kalahari Desert with local families – who have passed down survival skills for generations.
Traveling alone
Solo travel is also emerging as an increasingly prominent trend. Whether stemming from more people choosing to live alone, or simply not wanting to wait for friends and family to arrange their schedules, the number of solo travelers continues to grow.
According to True Traveller, demand for personal travel insurance has steadily increased across all age groups, from short weekend getaways to longer trips. CEO Tim Riley noted that travelers are now more confident exploring the world alone.
He also stated that less crowded destinations with developed tourism infrastructure, such as Bali, Thailand, and Japan, are becoming the top choices for the solo travel trend.
The company says the number of solo travelers visiting Albania is increasing significantly.
Simultaneously, cruise tourism is gradually shedding its image as a type of vacation exclusively for couples, as it increasingly attracts solo travelers seeking new experiences.