The 10th edition of Booking.com’s Travel Predictions reveals that Kiwi travellers in 2026 are embracing ultra-personalised journeys that reflect their truest selves.
Travel has always been personal, but in 2026 it’s becoming deeply individual. Travellers will move beyond one-size-fits-all itineraries, leaning into passions that reflect who they are, from adrenaline-fuelled adventures to mystical detours and futuristic stays.
Now in its 10th year, Booking.com’s Travel Predictions is based on insights from more than 29,000 travellers across 33 countries and territories including New Zealand, and uncovers the 10 defining travel trends for 2026.
1. Turbulence Test
In 2026 holidays will double as the ultimate compatibility test for relationships. Nearly two thirds of Kiwi travellers (61%) are open to taking ‘turbulence test’ trips with a potential partner, colleague or new friend specifically to see how well they click.
Over half (58%) of Kiwi travellers would consider travelling to a remote location to see how their companion handles ambiguity and discomfort. Another 52% are intrigued by role-reversal retreats, where the usual planner hands over control, and 54% would embrace travel with severe constraints – budget limits, language barriers, or limited connectivity. Meanwhile, a majority (67%) would take the backseat themselves to see if their travel partner steps up.
Younger travellers are the most experimental, with 79% of Gen Z Kiwis open to custom itineraries designed to simulate real-life dynamics and test connections in ways that will either soar or stall.
2. Romantasy Retreats
In 2026, expect to see holiday trips transform into immersive storyscapes, setting the stage for otherworldly romantasy retreats. Nowhere captures this magic like New Zealand – home to Middle Earth. From Hobbiton’s rolling hills to misty, Tolkien-esque forests, New Zealand is the ultimate drawcard for romantasy-inspired travel.
Over half (58%) of Kiwi travellers say they’d be interested in visiting a destination inspired by romantasy, and for many, this goes far beyond sightseeing. 42% of Kiwi travellers are open to role-play retreats based on their favourite fantasy game, book or film, with nearly a quarter (17%) definitely interested in making this part of their future travel plans.
Technology is turning the page of this new escapism, with 71% of Kiwi travellers open to AI-powered suggestions that match fantasy aesthetics, recommend secluded ‘storybook’ stays, or pinpoint real-world filming locations.
3. Humanoid Homes
A futuristic shift is on the horizon for 2026: holiday homes enhanced by ‘humanoid helpers’, such as cleaning bots, robotic chefs, and smart systems that manage water, energy, and waste for you.
This comfort-meets-curiosity shift is already here, with a majority of Kiwi travellers (69%) open to booking a robotic-enhanced home. More than half of those interested (53%) say cleaning bots would sway their booking choice, while 44% are most excited about a robotic chef, and almost a quarter (23%) want robots managing sustainability behind the scenes.
But it’s not just about convenience. For many, it’s the novelty (28%) or even the bragging rights (20%) of staying in a home that feels straight out of science fiction. This trend blends practicality with play, turning holiday homes into effortless, unforgettable stays.
4. Shelf-ie Souvenirs
In 2026, the kitchen cupboard becomes a cultural canvas. Fridge magnets give way to pantry treasures, as travellers collect edible and design-led souvenirs that tell stories of place.
Over half of Kiwi travellers (55%) say they would consider buying design-led kitchenware or pantry items on holiday, from hand-painted spice jars to tins of artisan olive oil that double as décor – and 47% would even consider specifically travelling to a destination known for its pantry products or kitchenware.
Nearly a quarter (22%) say edible souvenirs help them relive a destination each time they cook, while 19% value how these items showcase local craft, sustainability, and traditional techniques.
5. Roadtrip Rewired
The combination of technology and social opportunity is redefining road trips: part exploration, part community. A majority of Kiwi travellers (77%) are open to carpooling on holiday and 45% are willing to use an app to find travellers on a similar route.
The appeal is clear – Kiwi travellers are drawn to road trips that make travel more spontaneous and flexible (75%), lets them meet new people (73%), and allows them to share driving responsibilities (78%).
Technology and travel go hand in hand, especially for younger generations. 68% of Gen Z Kiwis are open to self-drive vehicles or AI-guided routes, compared with 44% of Boomers. Over half of Kiwi travellers (55%) say they would use AI to map scenic, off-the-beaten-track routes tailored to their trip desires.
6. Destined-ations
In 2026, the stars will shape travel plans. Moon phases, retrogrades and astrological guidance will become a new compass for planning spiritually aligned and cosmically approved trips. Nearly half of Kiwi travellers (42%) say they would consider changing or cancelling their plans if a spiritual advisor suggested it was not the right time, while 37% would reconsider trips based on a horoscope warning, and 32% would adjust if Mercury was in retrograde.
Many Kiwi travellers also actively seek experiences that align with mystical or astrological cues. Around a third (33%) say they consider such influences when planning vacations, from timing trips with moon phases or solstices to visiting energy-rich sites. Gen Z Kiwis (46%) and nearly half of millennials (47%) are particularly tuned in, proving that for younger travellers, the path to self-discovery might just be written in the stars.
7. Glow-cations
2026 will mark a new era of wellness travel, with 70% of Kiwi travellers open to booking a dedicated glow-cation tailored to their skincare needs. Simple spa escapes are transforming into high-tech, high-touch journeys. 45% of Kiwi travellers say they would consider using AI to help choose destinations aligned with their personal skincare needs.
Personalisation runs deeper than ever, with around two-thirds (65%) open to personalised hydration stations that adapt to local climate, while 54% are intrigued by smart mirrors analysing pores and hydration for real-time advice. Sleep optimisation is also central, with 70% interested in suites designed with circadian lighting and soundscapes.
From ancient thermal rituals to cutting-edge DNA and microbiome testing, glow-cations mark a new era of skin specific wellness travel, where the goal is not just to recharge, but to return home visibly renewed.
8. Hushed Hobbies
With 34% of Kiwi travellers saying they would take a holiday specifically to feel closer to the natural world (including 43% of Gen Z), and one in five (21%) turning to ‘quieter’ hobbies on holiday, 2026 travellers will be seeking rituals that prioritise the stillness of nature.
From insect spotting and birdwatching to fishing and foraging, travellers are increasingly interested in pastimes that slow the pace and deepen attention to outdoor space. Over half (51%) say they would consider moth / butterfly watching or insect spotting, 72% fishing or birdwatching and 61% staying somewhere that involves foraging for meals. Technology plays a light supporting role, with apps identifying butterflies and birds in real time and AI tools suggesting trails, habitats or seasonal migration patterns.
9. PastPorts
In 2026, travellers will step back into the past with technology such as AI-powered photo mapping and heritage-tracing tools, transforming memories into maps.
For many, these trips are rooted in the desire to relive meaningful moments. Over half of Kiwi travellers (60%) say they would consider travel to recreate a memory or photo by using technology to identify the exact location. Over half of Kiwi travellers (53%) say their main motivation would be to revisit a memory with family or close friends, while 45% are drawn to destinations that make them feel young, connected or at home. More than a third (39%) see these journeys as milestones to reflect on growth, reconnect with people from the past, or even gain closure by returning to places tied to difficult memories.
10. Modern Milestone Missions
Travellers in 2026 will rewrite the rulebook on when and why we travel. Today’s milestones are becoming deeply personal, not prescribed. Nearly two-thirds (64%) of Kiwi travellers say they don’t need a reason to book a trip, while one in five (19%) say they’d go to a dream destination without waiting for a ‘traditional’ milestone to make it worthwhile.
This new wave of modern milestone missions highlights how Kiwi travellers are embracing personal achievements on their own terms. Nearly three-quarters (75%) justify booking a holiday simply because they’ve worked hard and deserve it, while new reasons to book a trip are gaining traction: toasting a new job or promotion (22%), receiving a surprise tax refund (22%) or marking the closure of a breakup (14%). Health and wellbeing achievements are also emerging as powerful motivators, with one in five (20%) travelling to mark sobriety or fitness transformations.
Melissa Ellison, Area Manager for New Zealand at Booking.com comments:“In 2026, travel is becoming a reflection of who people truly are, with journeys built around interests that perhaps in the past felt too niche or bold to explore. From Hobbiton’s rolling hills to Fiordland’s ethereal fjords, New Zealand continues to inspire romantasy-style escapes and introspective road trips alike.
Kiwi travellers embrace a future of tourism that’s partly AI-driven and highly personalised, yet also quieter, slower, and more intentional. Whether that’s a campervan journey through Te Waipounamu or a weekend retreat in Waiheke Island, they are stress-testing relationships, stepping into fantasy worlds, turning their kitchens into reflections of their journeys, and looking at new ways to experience road trips and vacation rentals with enhanced technology features. At Booking.com, we’re continuously evolving to make it easier for everyone to experience the world and fully lean into their dream trips by offering more choice, flexibility, and convenience than ever before.”
Booking.com Trending Destinations for 2026:
- Mũi Né, Vietnam
- Bilbao, Spain
- Barranquilla, Colombia
- Philadelphia, USA
- Guangzhou, China
- Sal, Cape Verde
- Manaus, Brazil
- Munster, Germany
- Kochi, India
- Port Douglas, Australia
