Travelling deeper: Why 2026 will be the year guests seek connection over comfort

As the year wraps up, Minor Hotels has released a trends report that captures exactly where traveller sentiment is heading in 2026. The inaugural Travel Trends Report, Travelling Deeper: A Search for Lasting Connection, reveals a global shift in what guests value most.

They are optimistic about the year ahead, keen to spend, and increasingly focused on trips that offer emotional clarity, cultural depth and time with the people who matter.

Drawn from a survey of nearly a thousand Minor Hotels guests, the report shows that travellers are rethinking the purpose of travel itself. Connection is no longer a nice-to-have. It is the driving force behind where people go, how they plan, who they travel with and what makes their stay memorable. In short, travellers are not just booking holidays. They are looking for meaning.

Read: Minor Hotels celebrates 45 wins in 2025 Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards. HERE

Travellers enter 2026 with confidence

Despite economic uncertainty, confidence in travel remains high. The report finds that 94 percent of respondents expect to travel the same amount or more in 2026, and almost one third plan more trips than in 2025. Spending intentions follow the same pattern, with 94 percent planning to maintain or increase their budgets and 47 percent expecting to spend more.

Affordability is still the biggest constraint for travellers, along with seasonality, time and ease of travel. Even so, the appetite for travel remains strong, and guests are prioritising quality experiences over quantity.

Togetherness leads the way

For most travellers, 2026 will be a year of shared journeys. The majority plan to travel with partners (66 percent), immediate family (46 percent) or friends (32 percent). When planners think about what makes a trip meaningful, simple shared experiences top the list. Dining together, exploring new places and relaxing as a group rank as the most cherished ways to connect.

Wellbeing moves to the forefront

Even on group trips, travellers want space to reset. The report finds that 71 percent value taking a break from work, technology or social media, and 44 percent intend to weave more wellness or mindfulness into their travel plans. Among travellers already engaged in wellness activities, this rises to 73 percent. Spa treatments, nature-based activities and fitness lead the list of preferred experiences.

Culture, flavour and a sense of place

Food remains the strongest cultural touchpoint, with 85 percent of travellers using cuisine to connect with a destination. Historic architecture (71 percent) and nature (65 percent) follow closely. Local immersion is a significant motivator for travel choice (83 percent), and most travellers prefer to explore independently to understand the local way of life.

Authenticity also fuels loyalty. Seventy-six percent of respondents say they would return to a destination because they felt a personal bond with it.

Sustainability becomes a loyalty driver

Values-driven travel continues to rise. Nearly half (47 percent) say a hotel’s sustainability record influences their choice of where to stay, and most respondents agree that environmental, cultural and social initiatives enhance their connection to a destination.

An industry moment worth noting

Minor Hotels’ first trends report gives the accommodation sector a clear snapshot of what guests want next: meaningful connection, cultural immersion, personal wellbeing and quality time with loved ones. As operators prepare for 2026, the message is simple. Travellers are ready to explore, ready to spend and ready to seek out experiences that feel real.

Connection is becoming the new currency of travel, and the industry is well positioned to meet that moment.