{"id":36102,"date":"2025-10-15T20:44:18","date_gmt":"2025-10-15T13:44:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thaipropertynews.com\/feeds\/?p=36102"},"modified":"2025-10-15T20:44:18","modified_gmt":"2025-10-15T13:44:18","slug":"unpack-26-expedia-wotif-and-stayz-reveal-how-travellers-will-explore-the-world-in-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thaipropertynews.com\/feeds\/?p=36102","title":{"rendered":"UNPACK ’26: EXPEDIA, WOTIF, AND STAYZ REVEAL HOW TRAVELLERS WILL EXPLORE THE WORLD IN 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n
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Expedia’s first-ever Smart Travel Health Check tackles tourism’s biggest challenge: overcrowding.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

From sports you’ve never heard of, from book club retreats, slow down towns to farm stays, 2026 trends flip the script on traditional getaways.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

SYDNEY<\/span><\/span>, Oct. 16, 2025<\/span><\/span> \/PRNewswire\/ — Today,\u00a0Expedia Group released Unpack ’26: The Trends in Travel\u2122. The annual global report highlights shifts in traveller behaviour and the destinations set to dominate itineraries in 2026.<\/p>\n

From Destinations of the Year to slow down towns and reading retreats, to Banana Ball and farm stays, the seven trends in Unpack ’26 offer a look at the future of travel. Each trend is backed by first-party data and insights from 24,000 travellers across 18 countries.*<\/p>\n

Expedia<\/u><\/b>\u00a0\u2014 Destinations of the Year:<\/u> <\/b>Expedia’s 2026 Destinations of the Year list \u2014 powered by real-time data from millions of daily visitors to the Expedia site and app \u2014 highlights where global interest is rising fast, even in destinations that haven’t yet gone viral.<\/p>\n

Six of these hotspots also meet the criteria for Expedia’s new Smart Travel Health Check \u2014 a first-in-travel framework from Expedia, inspired by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). The Smart Travel Health Check recognises destinations that offer meaningful travel experiences and proactively manage tourism in a sustainable way, helping to ease the strain on the world’s most overvisited cities.<\/p>\n

Ariane Gorin<\/span>, CEO of Expedia Group, added, “Some of my most unforgettable travel moments come from immersing myself in local cultures, supporting local economies, and exploring less-travelled destinations. With 1 billion average monthly travel searches, Expedia Group isn’t just a travel marketplace \u2014 we’re a catalyst for positive change. We have a responsibility to shape the future of travel: one that’s smarter, more sustainable, and deeply respectful of the places we go.”<\/p>\n

“Expedia responded to WTTC’s Call to Action on Destination Stewardship with the launch of the Smart Travel Health Check. This innovative initiative reflects the urgent need to embrace responsible growth models that safeguard communities, protect cultural and natural heritage, and ensure the long-term resilience of destinations,” added Christopher Imbsen<\/span>, Vice President Policy at WTTC. “By applying WTTC’s framework, Expedia is celebrating destinations that work collaboratively to empower residents, strengthen stewardship, and deliver richer, more meaningful travel experiences.”<\/p>\n

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2026’s Destinations of the Year <\/b>\u2014\u00a0Beyond the Crowds*<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Destination <\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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% Search Increase<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Destination <\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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% Search Increase<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Big Sky<\/a>, Montana, U.S. \u2714\ufe0f<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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+92\u00a0%<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Fort Walton Beach<\/a>, Florida, U.S.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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+45\u00a0%<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Okinawa<\/a>, Japan \u2714\ufe0f<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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+71\u00a0%<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Ucluelet<\/a>, Canada \u2714\ufe0f<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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+44\u00a0%<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Sardinia<\/a>, Italy <\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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+63\u00a0%<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Cotswolds<\/a>, U.K. \u2714\ufe0f<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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+39\u00a0%<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Phu Quoc<\/a>, Vietnam\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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+53\u00a0%<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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San Miguel de Allende<\/a>, Mexico <\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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+30\u00a0%<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Savoie<\/a>, France \u2714\ufe0f<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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+51\u00a0%<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Hobart<\/a>, Australia \u2714\ufe0f<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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+25\u00a0%<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n

Explore each Destination of the Year here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Expedia<\/u><\/b>\u00a0\u2014 Fan Voyage<\/u>: <\/b>2026 is a huge year for international sports, but there’s a new wave of fanaticism all about immersive, local experiences.\u00a0Expedia’s Fan Voyage trend reveals a surge in uniquely regional sporting experiences, with 59% saying they’re likely to attend one while on a trip.<\/p>\n

From sumo wrestling in Japan<\/span> to Muay Thai<\/span> in Thailand<\/span>, Aussie travellers \u2014 particularly Gen Z and Millennial Aussie travellers (74%) \u2014 are seeking front-row seats to learn about timeless traditions. Fan Voyage shows it’s not just about the game \u2014 it’s about community, culture, and feeling like a local.<\/p>\n

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2026’s Hottest Fan Voyage Tickets*<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Sport <\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Location <\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Sport <\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Location <\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Sumo Wrestling<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Japan<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Banana Ball<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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U.S.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Muay Thai<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Thailand<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Capoeira<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Brazil<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Curling<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Canada<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Lucha Libre<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Mexico<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Baseball<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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South Korea<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Hurling<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Ireland<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Australian Rules Football<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Australia<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Caber Tossing<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Scotland, U.K.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n

Check out how to get seats to Fan Voyage events here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Wotif<\/u><\/b>\u00a0\u2014 Parks with Spark:<\/u> <\/b>From glamping tents with designer touches to resort-style pools and sleek amenities, Aussie holiday parks are stepping up \u2014 and travellers are taking notice. Demand for holiday parks on Wotif is up 13% year-on-year, as more Aussies seek elevated experiences without straying from the classic holiday park charm*.<\/p>\n

Now, it’s not just families rolling into holiday parks. With modern upgrades attracting a wider crowd, couples now make up the largest group of holiday park guests (56%), followed by families (40%) \u2014 notably, over half of these couples are Gen Z and Millennials.<\/p>\n

2026’s Parks with Spark:<\/b><\/p>\n