Published 18th Mar. 2026
Written by Ella Mawson
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Here at Original Travel, we like to stay ahead of the curve – it’s in our name, after all. Our team is firmly future-focused, using their combined expertise to predict the trends set to rock the travel industry in the coming year. From theatrical trifectas and luxury legacies to the K-pop craze and Motown memorabilia, read on for the 2026 trends on our travel radar...
French hospitality visionary Thierry Teyssier named his company 700,000 Heures Impact – in reference to the number of hours in the average lifespan – as a reminder to live life to the fullest. After creating the enchanting Dar Ahlam kasbah in Morocco, he launched the world’s first nomadic hotel, which settles temporarily in extraordinary destinations around the globe. In 2026, that destination is Rwanda, where Teyssier has added a theatrical twist with performances across three settings: a lakeside artist’s retreat, a Mukura Forest village and a fishing community. The cast includes nearly 200 actors, dancers, musicians, and villagers, and guests are invited to join the excitement.
Image by Kairi Aun/Getty Images/iStockphoto
Orient Express is arguably the most famous brand in travel, but – confusingly – it's now a tale of two brands, differentiated by a hyphen. First, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, owned by French luxury giant LVMH via its Belmond arm, which already whisks guests from London to Paris or Venice in mahogany magnificence. The hyphen-free Orient Express belongs to another French heavyweight, Accor, guardian of the original 19th-century brand. Accor has already launched its La Dolce Vita trains in Italy and, in 2026, will reprise the legendary Paris-Istanbul route with 17 carriages restored in ravishing ‘neo-Belle Epoque’ style.
The visionaries behind the Soneva brand redefined luxury travel with two enduring ideas – a genuine commitment to sustainability and the ‘barefoot luxury’ concept. Now, Sonu and Eva Shivadasni are innovating again, scouting the planet for suitable locations for their new hotel brand, Sosei. Named after the Japanese word for ‘rebirth,’ Sosei will encompass both city hotels and remote retreats, all designed to reflect the spirit of their surroundings while emphasising wellbeing and sustainability. The search stretches from the Arctic to Japan and beyond, with whispers of extraordinary sites already under review.
Image by Zdenar Adamsen - stock.adobe.com
From summer 2026, the award-winning Vestige Collection will unveil four intimate lodges across northern Namibia, creating a vibrant circuit through salt pans, savannah and desert. Expect the same understated elegance and meticulous craftsmanship that define Vestige’s Mediterranean properties: whether you’re tracking desert-adapted lions at Sorris Sorris, gazing across vast horizons at Omantedeka, exploring the secluded corners of Etosha National Park at Sheya Shuushona or seeking solitude on a sand dune at Xaudum, these new retreats promise adventure and refinement in perfect harmony.
Thanks to the runaway success of Netflix’s K-Pop Demon Hunters, the West’s fascination with Hallyu – the ‘Korean Wave’ of pop culture – shows no signs of stopping. Starting in March 2026, Virgin Atlantic is hopping aboard this trend with the launch of daily direct flights between London and Seoul. Hot on its heels, Aman’s younger sibling brand, Janu, will open a Seoul property in 2027, aimed at the Gen Z travellers who helped spark the K-frenzy. From music and fashion to film and food, Korea’s creative tide keeps rising – and everyone wants to ride the wave.
Image by Olivier Romano
Famed for its long-distance railways, one of the best ways to savour the scale of Australia is aboard its iconic trains: the Ghan and the Indian Pacific. The former travels from Adelaide to Darwin through the Red Centre, while the latter tracks cross-continental between Sydney and Perth, but both are elevating their elegance with the launch of the Australis and Aurora Suites in 2026. Inspired by contemporary residential design, these suites feature bespoke timber, stone masonry and iron filigree under softly coved ceilings. Each includes a separate bedroom, personalised minibar, pillow menu, butler service and, as if that wasn’t enough, exclusive off-train experiences set to redefine Australia’s luxury rail travel scene.
Once the benchmark of urban decay in the US, Detroit is a phoenix rising from the ashes. Famous for its car industry in the 19th and 20th centuries, ‘Motor City’ (affectionately known as Motown) is staging a comeback, with the Motown Museum taking centre stage. The birthplace of soul music’s greatest hits is expanding dramatically, and in summer 2026, the museum will unveil a glittering 40,000-sq-ft building behind the original Hitsville USA house. Visitors will step through a soaring lobby, adorned with portraits of legends like Marvin Gaye and Diana Ross, to explore a range of immersive exhibits, including the Ford Motor Company Theater. This year, Motown’s signature sounds are the new engine (see what we did there?) of Detroit’s cultural tourism.
Image by Fabrizio Costantini/The New York Times/REA
Celeste is forging a new frontier in luxury travel: a stratospheric balloon experience from French start-up Zephalto. Founded by aerospace engineer Vincent Farret d’Asties and designed by architect Joseph Dirand, the pressurised capsule consists of three intimate cocoons to carry six lucky guests into the inky abyss of space. There, they’ll indulge in fine French cuisine while watching the planet curve away below. The six-hour journey includes a slow ascent, three hours at altitude and a gentle return to ground. Launching in 2026 from a spaceport in France, Celeste promises the ultimate luxury – true silence, and the rare privilege of seeing the world from a genuinely different perspective.
Header image by Jackie Cole
Practical advice and inspiration for your next trip
We’ve always tried to be one step ahead of travel trends, and 2026 is no different. When it comes to deciphering what’s ‘in’, what’s ‘out’ and, most importantly, what’s worth paying attention to, the Original Travel team have their fingers firmly on the pulse. If you’re hoping to stay ahead of the curve, then read on to find out what’s hot, and what’s not, in travel right now. What’s hot? Catching the night bus First, sleeper trains made a comeback; now the luxury (and yes, we do mean luxury) night bus is having its revival.
23rd March 2026 - Travel Trends
Screens can easily overshadow the travel experience. If that sounds familiar to you, don’t worry – this guide offers over 20 practical ways to unplug, from swapping devices for activities to picking a destination where connectivity naturally fades into the background. Reclaim your attention, strengthen in-person experiences and discover how much more rewarding travel can be without constant digital distractions.
13th November 2025 - Travel Trends
A new pattern of travel planning is emerging. Gone are the days of the traditional two-to-three-month lead time – jet setters are now falling either side of the spontaneity spectrum. While last-minute bookings are booming, so are future trips as far away as 2030 (to catch the solar eclipse in Namibia, if you’re curious). We’ve dubbed this phenomenon the Concertina Effect, reflecting both the new stretched and squeezed booking windows.
18th August 2025 - Travel Trends
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