2026 Leisure Travel Trends Study
Discover key insights from the 2026 Leisure Travel Study to boost direct bookings and align with evolving traveler trends.
Travelers Are Changing — Is Your Hotel Ready?
A dramatic shift is underway in how, why, and where people travel. The 2026 Leisure Travel Study reveals that rising costs, evolving guest expectations, and accelerating adoption of new technologies are fundamentally changing the booking journey.
Independent hoteliers must rethink their marketing and guest experience strategies to stay competitive. From flexible bookings to wellness travel and AI-powered planning, today’s travelers demand more—and they expect it faster.
Download the full report for in-depth insights, key behavioral shifts, and tactical recommendations to help your property meet new expectations and drive more direct bookings.
Independent hoteliers must rethink their marketing and guest experience strategies to stay competitive. From flexible bookings to wellness travel and AI-powered planning, today’s travelers demand more—and they expect it faster.
Download the full report for in-depth insights, key behavioral shifts, and tactical recommendations to help your property meet new expectations and drive more direct bookings.
Insights Preview
2026 Leisure Travel Study: Key Insights for Hoteliers
Discover how evolving traveler expectations, emerging tech, and shifting market dynamics are rewriting the rules of leisure travel. The 2026 Leisure Travel Study from TravelBoom Hotel Marketing delivers fresh, actionable insights from 500 real travelers. This year’s comprehensive research equips hoteliers and travel marketers with the knowledge they need to adapt fast, stand out from the competition, and accelerate direct bookings in today’s rapidly changing landscape.
Key Insights from the Report:
- How Gen Z and Millennials Are Using AI To Plan Trips: AI is becoming the first stop in the booking journey, with Gen Z and Millennials leading the charge in using tools like ChatGPT to discover destinations and plan personalized itineraries.
- Why Music and Food Are Now Top Travel Motivators: Travelers are planning entire trips around cultural passions—nearly 80% prioritize food experiences, while over 70% say they’ve traveled or would travel for a concert or festival.
- What Rising Costs Mean For Your Booking Funnel: With 28% of travelers cutting back on trip frequency due to rising prices, hotels must demonstrate clear value through bundled perks, transparent pricing, and flexible policies to keep conversion rates high.
- Which Loyalty Rewards Are Actually Driving Repeat Business: Instant gratification wins—today’s travelers are most motivated by loyalty programs that offer immediate discounts and perks, not future promises or complex point systems.
Actionable Takeaways for Hoteliers
- Emphasize flexible booking — 94.2% expect at least some flexibility.
- Showcase local flavor — 80% say food influences where they go.
- Leverage AI — 83% are interested or already using it for travel planning.
- Offer instant loyalty perks — 64% want rewards they can use immediately.
Download the Full Report Today
Start building a data-driven strategy that boosts guest loyalty, drives higher profits, and breaks your dependence on OTAs.
Download Now
Loading...