Travel isn’t about ticking off destinations any more. Here’s what Kiwis want instead

Wednesday, 14 January 2026

Perhaps 2026 will take you to Pitt River in Canada’s British Columbia for a spot of fishing.

Every year, the travel industry releases its predictions about where we’ll go next and how.

Strip away the branding buzzwords and a clearer picture emerges: ticking off destinations is out and travelling for how it makes you feel is in.

As Skyscanner chief executive Bryan Batista puts it, travel is becoming “more curated, grounded and unique.”

Here’s how that will look for Kiwi travellers in 2026.

Go, go, go or slow right down

Travel in 2026 is splitting in two directions.

On one side are high-energy trips and bustling city breaks with Intrepid Travel reporting a 28% rise in trips that combine hiking, cycling and kayaking.

For example, Asia continues to climb in popularity for Kiwi travellers.

Flight Centre general manager Heidi Walker said Japan and South Korea are leading the charge, helped by direct flights from Auckland.

“From unique cultural experiences and city exploring, to ski holidays and theme parks for the kids,” Walker said. “Meanwhile, South Korea continues to grow in popularity on the back of its global K-pop wave. These destinations are resonating with everyone from Gen Z travellers right through to multi-generational family holidays.”

But just as many travellers are choosing the opposite pace.

The slow travel movement is gaining momentum, with Bookabach finding 90% of Kiwi travellers are interested in staying on or near a farm to unplug and reconnect with nature. Mentions of farm-based experiences in guest reviews have surged 300% year on year.

Skincare routines are becoming part of the itinerary.

More than a third of New Zealanders say they would take a holiday specifically to feel closer to the natural world, while one in five are turning to “quieter” hobbies on holiday, like birdwatching, fishing and foraging.

Wellness ramps up

Wellness travel is becoming more targeted, especially in the skincare department.

Booking.com said 70% of Kiwi travellers are open to booking a dedicated “glow-cation”, with traditional spa breaks evolving into skincare routines becoming part of the itinerary — from inflight beauty rituals to visits to cult local retailers, especially in South Korea.

Sleep optimisation is also a part of the trend, with 70% of travellers interested in accommodation designed around circadian lighting and soundscapes.

A wellness focus carries into work travel, too.

Going Fiji in a shoulder season is becoming more popular.

Kelly Thomas, general manager of FCM New Zealand, said “wellness remains a priority for business travellers, with companies looking for hotels that offer fitness centres, spas, and nutritious dining options to support employee wellbeing”.

“We're also seeing an emphasis on traveller comfort during flights, with more businesses choosing premium economy seats to strike a balance between cost and comfort. Some are also incorporating extended stopovers into itineraries, allowing travellers to rest and recharge or explore new destinations along the way.”

Culture over crowds

Travellers are increasingly timing their trips to avoid peak-season chaos.

Walker said shoulder-season travel remains popular as Kiwis look to dodge crowds and find better value, both close to home and overseas.

“Fiji, for instance, remains a Kiwi favourite, but we’re seeing increased bookings in November, March and May,” Walker said.

Trying different foods makes people feel happy on holidays.

“Equally, for European holidays, September and October bookings are becoming more popular, as they offer fewer crowds, milder weather, and better pricing.

“Across Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines, we can see a shift toward ‘detour travel,’ where travellers are seeking authentic experiences and great on-the-ground value, opting for hidden beaches, jungle escapes and small towns instead of the usual tourist hubs,” she said.

Tour operators are seeing the same trend. Many travellers want to live more like locals, staying in independently-owned accommodation and eating at local businesses, rather than feeling like visitors passing through.

Food is the souvenir

Travel is being used as a test of whether a relationship will survive.

Culinary tourism is shifting away from restaurant reservations and towards supermarket safaris, with more than a third of travellers planning to shop at local grocery stores on their next holiday.

To “eat like a local” now often means heading down the snack aisle.

More than a third of travellers in a survey by G Adventures ranked ‘experiencing different foods and drinks to those I have at home’ as one of their top three drivers of happiness when travelling, with travellers aged 55-64 being the most likely to rank it number one.

Souvenirs are evolving too. Booking.com said more than half of Kiwi travellers say they would consider buying local kitchenware or pantry goods on holiday, while others would travel specifically for destinations known for their food culture.

Travel as a social experiment

Travel is increasingly being used as a way to meet people and test relationships.

The Bastei bridge in Germany would be a place that inspires romantasy with its castle-like appearance.

More than half of travellers say they have gone, or would consider going, overseas specifically to make new connections, whether for friendship, dating or simply finding a travel companion along the way.

Road trips are also being reimagined. Many travellers are open to carpooling on holiday, drawn by the chance to meet new people, share the driving and keep plans flexible.

Younger travellers are leading the charge. Gen Z travellers are the most open to experimental itineraries designed to spark interaction or test dynamics.

Booking.com said many Kiwis are open to “turbulence test” trips — travelling with a partner, friend or colleague to see how well they cope together.

Some are choosing remote destinations, others role-reversal holidays where the usual organiser hands over control, or trips with built-in constraints like tight budgets or limited connectivity, all designed to reveal how people really click.

Booking for books

Reading is taking over travel. Skyscanner said over half (57%) of travellers have booked or would consider a trip inspired by literature. Whether it's tracing the footsteps of fictional heroes, going on a reading retreat or visiting the world's most beautiful bookshops and libraries, people are choosing travel and literature to escape.

Bookabach reveals 94% of Kiwi travellers are seeking getaways focused on reading, with Pinterest searches for 'book club retreat ideas' up 265%, and reading-related terms in guest reviews nearly tripling.

Specifically, Booking.com predicts the romantasy genre will be huge for holidays. For the uninitiated, romantasy is a combination of romance and fantasy and has been very popular on #BookTok, merging into its own category at the bookshops.

Over half of Kiwi travellers say they’d be interested in visiting a destination inspired by romantasy, and for many, this goes far beyond sightseeing. 42% of Kiwi travellers are open to role-play retreats based on their favourite fantasy game, book or film, with nearly a quarter definitely interested in making this part of their future travel plans.