Travel search engine Kayak has dropped its 2026 ‘What the Future’ Report – cheekily dubbed “WTF,” though more seriously offering a look at the destinations and travel behaviours that will shape the year ahead for Canadians.
From booking behaviors to itinerary innovations, this year’s report reveals the behaviours and breakout trends and hotspots – from “well-th” trips, next gen destinations, and small-town escapes – for 2026 as seen by KAYAK and TikTok.
Along with exclusive community data from TikTok, the report focuses on the places and patterns that matter before they become mainstream news. In its second edition, the WTF report uses billions of KAYAK user queries to spotlight overlooked destinations offering lower prices, fewer crowds and more flexibility.
The 2026 edition adds results from a survey of 14,000 Gen‑Z and Millennial travellers, social and cultural research, and KAYAK executive interviews to deliver 10 trends shaping next‑gen travel. Chief among them, the impact of AI on travel planning, with 55% of those surveyed saying they’d change destinations if AI told them there’s somewhere better.
“In 2026, AI will become an even more powerful, invisible engine behind travel, anticipating what travellers need before they ask and removing friction at every step. The future of travel isn’t just smarter; it’s more human and personalized, with technology enhancing the experience along the way,” said Matthias Keller, Chief Product Officer, KAYAK.
“TikTok is reshaping how people explore the world and is home to a vibrant culture of search and discovery when it comes to planning travel – from flights, to hotels, to destinations, and beyond,” said David Hoctor, Vertical Director of Travel, Global Business Solutions at TikTok.
“KAYAK has identified a number of emerging travel behaviours that we are seeing play out in real-time on TikTok, from microtravel trips with friends, to “gasp-away” dream vacations with their loved ones.
Here’s what the report says is what’s next for Canadians in the year ahead:
Not-yet-Tok’d – 2026 is the year of rewriting popular travel routines, by swapping trending places from all over the internet, with the next “gen of destinations” for Canadians not seen on social media so far.
- 74% of Gen Z and 72% of Millennials say they want to visit places they’ve never been before
- Posts on TikTok including #hiddengems saw an over 50% increase
- Nearly 1 in 5 Canadian travellers surveyed are actively hunting for destinations that sit way outside the For You Feed comfort zone
Wellth Trips – “Well-th” is the new wealth for Canadian Gen Z and Millennial travellers.
- 67% say mental reset is their top reason for travelling
- 60% plan to spend more on luxury trips in the future
- 38% say spa or wellness treatments make a trip feel lavish, and 29% go for exclusive experiences
The main event – Whether a major sporting competition, a marathon, or a festival, Canadians are building their 2026 trips around big events.
- 95% of Gen Z and Millennial travellers say they plan to travel for a major event in 2026; in fact, KAYAK saw an over 150% increase in global flight interest to Canada for the world’s biggest soccer event compared to the same time last year
- 60% are inspired to go see natural wonders and immersive nature encounters (e.g. Northern Lights, waterfalls, eclipses, whale watching, stargazing, etc.)
- 36% are hitting the road for live shows, followed by 31% for sports and cultural festivals and 28% for unique performances in unexpected places
Your pal, AI – Seeking travel recommendations from family or friends? That is SO last trip. AI is the new, trusted travel BFF for Canadian Gen Z and Millennials.
- 31% say they trust its picks because it pulls advice from millions of sources
- 25% say it feels more accurate and up to date than anything their friends send in a DM
- 30% use AI tools for inspiration or finding deals
Other WTF travel trends
Booked now, paid later – When budgets are tight, flexible payment matters more. 28% of Gen Zs and 26% of Millennials travellers surveyed say credit or installment plans will decide how many trips they can actually take in 2026. KAYAK’s new “Buy now, pay later” filter migrates a preferred retail payment method into a travel facilitator.
Gasp-aways – Itineraries that inspire awe are trending. Naturally, #glamping saw a +20% increase in TikTok posts. From solar eclipses to meteor showers, 60% of next generation travellers say natural wonders will guide their travel plans in 2026.
Little big trips – Small towns are the new happy place. 85% of travellers would prefer a smaller town for their 2026 escapes, as they expect lower prices and less crowds, but more authenticity. Here’s where TikTok continues to validate, with one in five travellers saying social posts inspired them to visit a village.
Headspace holidays – Slow down to feel more. 2026 travel is about catching some breath vs frantically ticking boxes on the bucket list. #slowtravel posts increased nearly 330% on TikTok in 2025. Nearly half (46%) of surveyed travellers say slower travel clears their heads with a clear preference of quality over quantity on the road.
Nanocations – Short trips deliver big benefits. #weekendgetaways content on TikTok rose more than 60%. Nearly 61% of KAYAK surveyed travellers plan several shorter trips in 2026, choosing quick changes of scenery for instant relaxation.
Soft adventures – Soft adventures rule. Instead of extreme challenges, nearly one third of travellers now mix light adventure with relaxation, choosing activities like hiking, cycling or paddleboarding that leave time for a nap after. In 2026, adventure doesn’t mean roughing it.
2026 top 10 emerging destinations
- Cork, Ireland
- Chonqqing, China
- Harbin, China
- Zakynthos Greece,
- Shenzhen, China,
- Almaty, Kazakstan
- Hilo, Hawaii
- Nouea, Dominican Rep.
- La Romana, Dominican Rep.
- Luxembourg
Methodology
Travel trends for 2026 were identified based on an online survey conducted by WALR among 1,512 Gen Z and Millennials residing in Canada who have travelled domestically or internationally within the past two years and plan to travel domestically or internationally in the upcoming year.
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