SEATTLE—Expedia Group has released its annual global travel insights report, “Unpack ‘26,” which forecasts significant travel trends for the year 2026. The report, based on data from Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo, as well as a survey of 24,000 travelers across 18 countries, provides a comprehensive look at the future of travel. 2026 Travel Trends Overview The “Unpack ‘26” report identifies several emerging trends that are shaping the travel landscape. These include the rise of sustainable tourism, the popularity of unique lodging experiences, and the increasing desire for immersive local and cultural experiences. Sustainable Tourism & Smart Travel Health Check A key focus of...

NEW YORK CITY—The European Travel Commission (ETC) has introduced a new initiative titled “Unlock an Unexpected Upgrade” aimed at promoting responsible travel across Europe. The initiative, supported by the European Union and 36 national tourism boards, was unveiled on October 15, 2025, at the Skift Transatlantic Summit in New York City. The initiative seeks to change perceptions of responsible travel by presenting it as an enhancement rather than a limitation. It encourages travelers to make choices that benefit local communities and the environment while enhancing their travel experiences. The campaign emphasizes the benefits of responsible travel, such as fewer crowds, deeper...

MUNICH, GERMANY—With the EU Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition Directive set to come into force in 2026, clear and credible sustainability communication is no longer optional for hospitality businesses. In response to this shift, MAp Boutique Consultancy and Rupp Public Relations announce the release of the second edition of The Sustainable Hotel Handbook: Communication: a practical tool designed to help hotels avoid greenwashing, meet future legal requirements, and connect meaningfully with guests. Built specifically for the hospitality sector, the handbook provides step-by-step guidance, best practice examples, and templates that hotel teams can use immediately, whether they’re seasoned marketers or...

When Booking.com releases the results of one of its Travel Predictions reports, the travel industry pays careful attention. Now in its tenth year, Booking.com’s new Travel Predictions spotlight how people want to experience the world. Over the years, these insights have revealed shifts in travel, from cool-cationers chasing cooler climates given extreme heat to conscious travelers reshaping destination choices through social and environmental awareness. Based on insights from more than 29,000 travelers across 33 countries and territories, Booking.com identified 10 defining trends for 2026. The findings reveal that vacations are becoming more individual, more experimental, and more unapologetically true to who travelers really are. Among...

INTERNATIONAL REPORT—A recent survey by MMGY Travel Intelligence reveals that Generation Z is at the forefront of a significant surge in European travel, showing a strong intent to spend more on international trips and take more holidays than any other age group in the next year. Despite economic pressures and global uncertainties, Europeans remain committed to leisure travel, with Gen Z setting the pace in terms of both expenditure and the number of trips planned. The study also highlights the growing influence of artificial intelligence in travel planning, a heightened demand for sustainable and authentic experiences, and the impact...

LAGUNA BEACH, CALIF.—Soul Community Planet (SCP), the Holistic Hospitality company founded on the values of wellness, kindness, and sustainability, announced the evolution of its brand into three distinct expressions: SCP WildFree, SCP Hotels, and By SCP. Together, these unique brand expressions offer mindful travelers new opportunities to experience SCP’s Holistic Hospitality. “Since we launched Soul Community Planet seven years ago, we’ve had the privilege of welcoming and learning from a global community of mindful travelers,” said Ken Cruse, SCP Founder and Chief Executive Officer. “We all increasingly aspire to travel in ways that lift our spirits, strengthen the communities we visit,...

Deloitte just released the results of its Forecast in Flux: 2025 Deloitte Corporate Travel Study. The report draws on two surveys fielded in July 2025. The 2025 Deloitte Corporate Travel Manager Survey reached more than 150 travel managers, while the 2025 Deloitte Corporate Traveler Survey reached more than 1,000 professionals who took a business trip in 2024 and 2025. Both surveys were U.S.-based. A portion of the study addressed sustainable travel. According to Deloitte, many organizations are taking a closer look at how they manage corporate travel, identifying opportunities to streamline operations and reduce unnecessary impact. Nearly half (48 percent) of travel managers surveyed say their...

NATIONAL REPORT—Deloitte’s latest corporate travel survey reveals a complex landscape for business travel up to 2026. While budgets are generally increasing, there is a notable shift in priorities and a growing emphasis on cost management and sustainability. The survey, conducted among U.S.-based travel managers and corporate travelers, provides insights into the evolving dynamics of corporate travel. Company travel spend holds steady, but changes are on the horizon: three in four (74 percent) travel managers surveyed plan to expand budgets this year (similar to 2024), but fewer (68 percent) expect to do so for 2026. However, the share of travel managers expecting...

INTERNATIONAL REPORT—Trade wars, tariffs, sluggish growth: uncertainty and stagnation are the dominant themes of the 2025 global economy. By contrast, German consumer confidence is proving to be surprisingly robust, at least where travel and relaxation are concerned. Despite the difficult economic climate in Germany, summer holidays remain a priority for its citizens. According to estimates by the German Travel Association (DRV), Germans plan to spend around 85 billion euros on pre-holiday travel services in 2025—a significant 6 percent increase over the previous year. The organized travel market with package and tailormade tours is growing particularly strongly. The industry expects that...

I have reported many times over the years—especially during the height of COVID-19—about the impact of indoor air quality (IAQ) on the guest experience. (See the IAQ section of Green Lodging News.) According to EPA, there are a lot of elements of a hotel space that can negatively impact IAQ—everything from carbon monoxide to pesticides to cleaning products to what is off-gassed by pressed wood products. Hoteliers often fail to provide the level of IAQ that guests deserve. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 8 percent of the U.S. population has asthma. An estimated...