Searches for stays near US national parks have surged 35% in 2026, says Airbnb, with nature and outdoor experiences outpacing all other booking categories. Gen Z, meanwhile, are fuelling a trend in one to two-day international city getaways. Olivia Palamountain reports

Airbnb has released its 2026 travel predictions, revealing a shift towards short international escapes, nature-focused trips and event-driven tourism.

National parks see search surge

Travellers are increasingly seeking nature-based experiences, with searches for stays near US national parks up 35% in 2026. The surge comes as the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary alongside landmark centennials for iconic parks including the Great Smoky Mountains, Shenandoah and Grand Teton.

The Great Smoky Mountains has emerged as one of the top trending destinations globally in 2026, with searches trending over 135% among solo travellers. Nature and outdoor experiences have become the top booked experience category on the platform.

The social movement to "touch grass" has generated over 85,000 posts with the #touchgrass hashtag on TikTok.

Trending US national park destinations include Acadia National Park, Jackson Hole in Wyoming (near Grand Teton National Park), Shenandoah National Park, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Yosemite National Park. Global destinations seeing increased interest include Crete in Greece, Goa in India, Sardinia in Italy and Jakarta in Indonesia.

Gen Z opts for quick international breaks

Gen Z travellers are redefining quick trips, with one to two-day international getaways growing faster than extended holidays. Fuelled by viral TikTok day-trip trends, young travellers are crossing continents for high-energy, culture-rich escapes, choosing vibrant cities filled with music, dance, historic sites and authentic cuisine over relaxing beach towns.

Trending cities for Gen Z short breaks include Buenos Aires, Busan, João Pessoa, Ko Samui, Maceió, Marrakesh, Mexico City, Nakano, San Juan and Stockholm.

Event tourism drives bookings

Event tourism shows no signs of slowing, with 65% of the top-searched 2026 travel dates and cities aligning with major global events such as the Winter Olympics, Coachella and the FIFA World Cup. Travellers are prioritising these experiences, turning tickets into passports and seeking their own "mainstage" moments through unique adventures.

Solo travel on the rise

Solo travel is experiencing what Airbnb describes as a renaissance, fuelled by online conversations encouraging self-discovery over relationship status. Solo adventurers are discovering up-and-coming destinations, with places such as Idyllwild in California, La Altagracia in the Dominican Republic and Tromsø in Norway seeing triple-digit growth. These travellers are drawn to scenic escapes including mountains, coastlines and islands offering a slower pace.

Trending solo travel destinations include the Algarve in Portugal, Costa del Sol in Spain, the Florida Keys, Idyllwild in California, Inverness in Scotland, Isère in France, La Altagracia in the Dominican Republic, the North Carolina Mountains and Tromsø in Norway.

Culinary experiences gain traction

Culinary travel is heating up in 2026, with bakery classes and wine regions in the spotlight. Food and drink experiences are among the most-booked categories, including a croissant baking class in Paris. Viral TikTok food videos are inspiring travellers to seek out vibrant bakery scenes and hands-on classes worldwide, from making mochi in Tokyo to baking chocolate cake in Lisbon.

Wine tourism is rising as travellers flock to up-and-coming wine regions showing significant spikes in bookings and wishlist inclusions for 2026. Trending wine destinations include Bangalore in India, Finger Lakes in New York, Melbourne in Australia, Traverse City in Michigan and Var in France. Trending bakery destinations include Istanbul, Lisbon, Paris, Taipei and Tokyo.

Influencers target natural landscapes

Influencers including Avery Cyrus, Fabian Flores, Kalita Hon and Charisma Stevens have shared their 2026 travel wishlists, with a clear trend emerging towards destinations renowned for breathtaking natural landscapes, vibrant local culture and thrilling outdoor adventures. Their top picks include Hội An in Vietnam, Iceland, Brazil, Colombia and Tanzania.