Priceline Reveals Travel Trends for 2026

According to a new report from Priceline, travel in 2026 is going to be all about living life to the fullest. Not only are travelers planning to increase their travel budgets (by approximately $350), but they’re also drawing a hard line around work-life boundaries when they’re on the go; while “bleisure” travel may’ve been all the rage over the last few years, the majority of report respondents plan to completely unplug from the workplace when traveling in the year ahead.

The report found, as travelers plan out their average 15 days of leisure travel in 2026, they’re prioritizing certain trends. One is what Priceline is calling “little treat travel” — booking a somewhat indulgent, maybe not so financially smart trip, just because you deserve it.

Meanwhile, a lot of travelers are turning their attentions to the Midwest, with more than 60 percent of respondents saying they’re more interested in Midwest destinations than they used to be. This falls well in line with another trend, tailgate-focused tourism, which may be attracting travelers to Midwestern college towns.

As for beach trips, many travelers look for beaches that provide not just relaxation, but also opportunities for adventure, with high-adrenaline activities like cliff diving or parasailing.

“Travel in 2026 is a blend of impulse and intention. Priceline’s latest research reveals a shift toward more spontaneous trips, new regional exploration and travelers who are increasingly steering their own journeys — from Gen Z revisiting nostalgic destinations to parents letting Gen Alpha lead the way,” said Lesley Klein, senior vice president, strategy and brand marketing, Priceline. “Combined with the growing role of AI-powered planning, these trends point to a traveler who’s changing the playbook on how, when and why they go.”