HomeToGo’s new 2026 Travel Trends Forecast shows that three Arizona communities are rising star travel destinations for 2026.
Bisbee, Queen Creek and Marana are surprising “rising stars” for nature destinations, each up +117%, +142% and +297% year-over-year respectively. The forecast highlights frontier-style towns with a modern Western flair as a main draw for U.S. travelers in the new year. Within the research’s “Neo-Western Revival” category, these three destinations are renowned for their small-town feel and desert terrain.
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HomeToGo, the marketplace with the world’s largest selection of vacation rentals and the leading European vacation rental group, has today released its 2026 Travel Trends Forecast. Based on exclusive HomeToGo search and pricing data combined with a survey of traveler sentiment*, the new report surfaces five key themes expected to shape travel in 2026 — alongside rising star destinations to book now for the year ahead.
According to the survey findings, 76% of U.S. travelers plan to go on vacation in 2026, with 43% having already booked at least one trip and over a quarter (26%) actively booking longer and more extravagant breaks. Fifty-seven percent plan to spend more on vacations in comparison to 2025, indicating that the appetite for travel is clearly growing. At the same time, price remains the top priority for 52% of Americans when choosing a vacation destination, and 68% indicated they are open to traveling during less busy seasons to save money and avoid overcrowding. In fact, nearly one in three (27%) are eagerly seeking hidden gems.
In response to these traveler preferences, HomeToGo has unearthed five anticipated trends for 2026, pinpointing for each prediction six places to stay that offer both affordability and under-the-radar appeal. All 30 destinations have seen a year-over-year search increase of more than 100% for stays in 2026 via HomeToGo, yet none currently rank among the 1,000 most-searched destinations — making them true rising star spots. Moreover, according to HomeToGo price insights, each location boasts a median nightly price of under $100 per person for vacation accommodation during the year ahead, offering travelers the chance to book early, spend less, and discover somewhere new before larger crowds arrive.
“2026 seems set to be a mammoth year for travel. Year-over-year, HomeToGo.com has recorded a +53% increase in overall searches for vacation accommodation worldwide, with a notable average length of stay of just over two weeks,” said Eleanor Moody, HomeToGo Spokesperson and Travel Expert. “Whether staying close to home or setting off on long-haul adventures, HomeToGo’s forecasted 2026 rising star destinations show how vacationers can find affordable, under-the-radar, and on-trend spots of all kinds, from wild and rugged landscapes to laid-back beach towns, and from small scenic cities to creative urban hubs.”
For the full HomeToGo 2026 Travel Trends Forecast, including an interactive map and methodology, visit www.hometogo.com/travel-trends-2026 — or read on below to discover five anticipated trends for 2026.
Wild, Rugged, Windswept: Remote landscapes with dramatic, untamed energy
Remote, rugged landscapes are capturing the attention of travelers, with regions renowned for their dramatic terrain and striking natural features drawing significant interest. Forty percent of surveyed travelers stated they want to visit national parks and wilderness areas in 2026 — rising to 44% among Gen Z — while a further 28% are drawn to rural towns and villages.
Pop culture influence is part of this pull, with 34% of travelers citing films and 18% citing books as sources of travel inspiration. For example, as cinema fans look forward to the upcoming release of a new Wuthering Heights movie, searches for North Yorkshire in the United Kingdom — the primary setting and filming location for the novel and its adaptation, home of the Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors national parks — have seen a year-over-year increase of +311%.
| Wild, Rugged, and Windswept Rising Star Destinations to Book for 2026 | |||
| Destination | Country | Search Trend | Median Nightly Price Per Person |
| North Wales | Wales (UK) | +236% | $59.16 |
| Scottish Highlands | Scotland (UK) | +104% | $63.20 |
| Sagres | Portugal | +126% | $66.00 |
| Donegal | Ireland | +221% | $68.90 |
| Peak District National Park | England (UK) | +281% | $70.47 |
| Depoe Bay (OR) | United States | +167% | $92.32 |
| Find this list of 2026 rising star destinations via www.hometogo.com/travel-trends-2026/#wild-rugged-windswept. | |||
Chocolate Box Charm: Pretty, compact settings with gourmet appeal
Smaller, stunningly picturesque cities and towns are seeing an uplift in interest among U.S. travelers looking for compact destinations that skimp on neither scenery nor cuisine. Across Europe — where 39% of U.S. travelers are considering vacationing during 2026 — destinations such as Durbuy, one of Belgium’s smallest cities, and Orvieto, a clifftop city in Italy’s Umbria, are tipped to be 2026 rising stars.
Beyond their beauty, these destinations are additionally drawing intrigue due to their unique yet accessible gourmet offerings, from savoy cheeses at food markets in Annecy — the “Venice of the Alps” — to brodetto and buzara in Trogir’s taverns. With 53% of U.S. travelers stating that they plan to travel for new food and drink experiences in 2026, the opportunity to immerse oneself in distinct regional cuisines is playing a growing role in the appeal of these destinations.
| Rising Star Destinations with Chocolate Box Charm to Book for 2026 | |||
| Destination | Country | Search Trend | Median Nightly Price Per Person |
| Durbuy | Belgium | +320% | $57.25 |
| Orvieto | Italy | +616% | $60.71 |
| Trogir | Croatia | +168% | $66.70 |
| Bled | Slovenia | +336% | $71.92 |
| Annecy | France | +894% | $73.47 |
| Old Quebec | Canada | +118% | $74.39 |
| Find this list of 2026 rising star destinations via www.hometogo.com/travel-trends-2026/#chocolate-box-charm. | |||
Neo-Western Revival: Desert landscapes and frontier-style towns with modern Western flair
Western destinations are seeing a rise in interest, fuelled by a broader cultural moment that has placed such locations firmly in the spotlight. In 2025, artists such as Beyoncé and Sabrina Carpenter brought fresh takes on the visual language of country music firmly into the mainstream, with this movement further amplified across social media platforms. With 31% of Americans collecting inspiration from Instagram, and 29% from TikTok — rising to 46% and 37% for the millennial age bracket, and 50% and 54% for Gen Z — travelers are looking to visit the real places behind the trend in 2026.
Rather than seeking out large resorts, vacationers are increasingly turning to smaller towns across the Southwest and Mountain West, with landscapes defined by desert terrain and rugged canyons.
| Neo-Western Revival Rising Star Destinations to Book for 2026 | |||
| Destination | Country | Search Trend | Median Nightly Price Per Person |
| Yucca Valley (CA) | United States | +198% | $47.88 |
| Cañon City (CO) | United States | +213% | $51.75 |
| Bisbee (AZ) | United States | +117% | $53.00 |
| El Paso (TX) | United States | +191% | $62.21 |
| Queen Creek (AZ) | United States | +142% | $79.90 |
| Marana (AZ) | United States | +297% | $98.75 |
| Find this list of 2026 rising star destinations via www.hometogo.com/travel-trends-2026/#neo-western-revival. | |||
The Seaside Slowdown: Restorative beach retreats in far-away coastal locales
More than half of travelers (54%) stated they’re planning to book beach breaks for 2026. For many, the goal appears to be mindful relaxation: mental well-being ranks among the top priorities for Americans when choosing where to vacation, with 23% citing mental rest and recovery as the most important factor when selecting a 2026 destination. Representing a real break from the everyday in terms of both distance and surroundings, the list of next year’s rising stars for beach breaks primarily comprises laid-back long-haul locations in tropical and Mediterranean climates.
With four destinations located in Africa and Asia, the selection also aligns with growing interest in these regions among younger travelers — 31% of millennials and 30% of Gen Z are considering Asia for 2026, while 19% and 20% respectively are eyeing trips to Africa.
| Rising Destinations for the Seaside Slowdown to Book for 2026 | |||
| Destination | Country | Search Trend | Median Nightly Price Per Person |
| Weligama | Sri Lanka | +223% | $16.33 |
| Flic en Flac | Mauritius | +118% | $31.00 |
| Pulau Perhentian | Malaysia | +161% | $37.50 |
| Tropea | Italy | +122% | $50.00 |
| Cabo Rojo | Puerto Rico | +113% | $50.14 |
| Hout Bay | South Africa | +292% | $56.00 |
| Find this list of 2026 rising star destinations via www.hometogo.com/travel-trends-2026/#the-seaside-slowdown. | |||
The Alternative Urban Circuit: Creative second cities with a strong local pulse
Forty-five percent of U.S. travelers state they plan to visit cities in 2026, and for 36%, the deciding factor in their choice of destination will be the activities and experiences on offer. Live events rank high within this, with 38% planning to travel for gigs and concerts, 33% for arts and culture events such as exhibitions and carnivals, and 31% for sports games and competitions.
2026’s list of rising star urban hubs demonstrates how second cities will, in line with this trend, step onto the main stage. With their distinct creative scenes, established cultural institutions, and diverse event calendars, destinations such as Toulouse, Liverpool, and Medellín — alongside, closer to home, Detroit, Durham, and Baltimore — are set to draw in visitors looking for city break excitement beyond country capitals.
| The Rising Star Destinations of the Alternative Urban Circuit to Book for 2026 | |||
| Destination | Country | Search Trend | Median Nightly Price Per Person |
| Medellín | Colombia | +136% | $23.98 |
| Toulouse | France | +118% | $52.59 |
| Detroit (MI) | United States | +120% | $58.78 |
| Durham (NC) | United States | +195% | $63.41 |
| Liverpool | United Kingdom | +184% | $83.52 |
| Baltimore (MD) | United States | +122% | $92.95 |
| Find this list of 2026 rising star destinations via www.hometogo.com/travel-trends-2026/#the-alternative-urban-circuit. | |||
