As the year draws to a close at Palm, we’re reflecting on a period of profound change within the travel and hospitality landscape. Change that can be defined not just by movement  but by meaning.

It’s why we’re proud to end the year with the launch of our 2026 Emerging Travel Trends Report, a piece of work that marks a pivotal moment for our industry.

As Palm Founder Emily Keogh puts it: “Travel is entering a new era defined less by escape and more by transformation”.

The report highlights a rising appetite for regenerative stays, inclusive micro-utopias and community-rooted experiences, fuelled by the fact that 39% of Gen Z and millennials now seek digital-detox or phone-free holidays (Deloitte) and the global LGBTQ+ travel market has surpassed $320 billion.

These shifts set the tone for what will define travel in 2026 and beyond.

A major theme explored is travel as protest — where trips double as statements of ethics or identity.

Palm Founder Emily Keogh notes:

“Travel decisions are fast becoming identity decisions. Purpose isn’t peripheral anymore, it drives choice.”

Nearly 48% of global travellers now choose destinations aligned with personal values (Booking.com), with stable nations such as Japan, Portugal and Canada significantly outperforming regional averages as political unrest influences travel confidence.

The report also maps the rise of event tourism, or what National Geographic Traveller calls the “eventification” of travel. Travellers increasingly want to move from spectator to participant. As the report frames it, “The modern traveller no longer wants to just attend events, they want to be part of them.”

With the FIFA World Cup 2026 expected to contribute $40.9bn to global GDP and live music generating £6.1bn for the UK economy in 2023, events are now cultural magnets that shape itineraries and raise expectations for immersive, beyond-the-ticket experiences.

Another defining movement is the luxury cruise renaissance. Cruise passengers grew 9.3% between 2023–2024 (CLIA), and the number of luxury cruise ships has surged from 28 to 97 since 2010.

Early adopters are reshaping five-star travel at sea, with Palm Founder Emily Keogh summarising it perfectly: “Luxury and cruise now go hand in hand, and we’re only at the beginning of this new five-star chapter on the water.”

Finally, the report identifies a complete rebrand of the all-inclusive model in Beyond the Buffet.

Once shorthand for compromise, all-inclusive is now becoming a premium product driven by design, elevated dining and ease. Searches for “all-inclusive” have risen 60% year-on-year (Hotels.com), and 42% of Gen Z say it is their preferred style of holiday (Expedia).

As the report puts it: “All-inclusive today means curated dining, seamless planning and more time to switch off, not beige buffets.”

As we close out the year at Palm, we’re energised by the transformations ahead and proud to share this major piece of insight work with the industry, with some brilliant insights from established travel journalist and Palm partner Angelina Villa Clarke.

Our 2026 Emerging Travel Trends Report is available to download now on our trends report section of the website.

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