The way Britain travels is quietly shifting. As the industry looks ahead to 2026, the big themes are less about ticking off bucket-list capitals and more about how — and why — people move through the world.
That change will be on display when Destinations: The Holiday & Travel Show returns early next year, marking its status as the UK’s longest-running travel exhibition.
The show arrives at Manchester Central from 15 to 18 January, before moving to Olympia London from 29 January to 1 February, bringing together operators, destinations and travel specialists keen to showcase what the next year of holidays might look like.
Among the exhibitors, there is broad agreement on one thing: travellers are increasingly seeking connection, ease and meaning — whether that is through who they travel with, how they get there, or the places they choose to explore.
Women-only travel grows up
One of the clearest signals for 2026 is the continued rise of women-only holidays — but with a noticeable evolution in purpose.
“Building on a 28% year-on-year increase in interest for women-only holidays, in 2026 women-only tours will go beyond single-sex departures,” says Tim Williamson, joint managing director at Responsible Travel. “There will be more in-depth itineraries celebrating and supporting local women.”
Rather than simply removing men from the group, these trips are being designed to foster meaningful exchanges between female travellers and the communities they visit.
That might mean supporting women entrepreneurs, partnering with marginalised women or centring local female cultural identities in the experience. The emphasis is on solidarity and storytelling, not segregation.
No-fly travel goes mainstream
Another shift is happening at ground level — quite literally. As travellers grow more conscious of stress, sustainability and simplicity, airport-free holidays are gaining traction, particularly among older solo travellers.
“More mature solo travellers are choosing holidays that avoid airports altogether,” says Christina Hunter Locke, head of product and commercial at One Traveller.
“Rail itineraries across Europe offer comfort, scenery and a relaxed pace, while cruises departing directly from UK ports provide an easy, unpack-once way to explore Scandinavia, the Med or the Canary Islands.”
What was once seen as a niche preference is now becoming a mainstream choice, offering calm, convenience and a slower rhythm that suits travellers who value the journey as much as the destination.
The rise of the second-tier city
If 2025 was the year of overtourism backlash, 2026 may be the moment when travellers quietly redirect themselves elsewhere.
According to Patrick Millar, head of marketing at Kirker Holidays, so-called second-tier cities are enjoying a surge in popularity.
“Travel trends show the second-tier city break surging, with overlooked destinations among the fastest risers this year,” he says. “Lisbon is up 46%, Milan 60% and Verona 92%, all giving Barcelona, Rome and Venice a real run for their money.”
The appeal is obvious: cultural depth without the crowds, better value, and a sense of discovery that mass tourism can erode in more famous neighbours.
A quieter kind of wanderlust
Taken together, the trends point to a year of more thoughtful travel.
Whether it is women travelling together with purpose, holidaymakers choosing trains over terminals, or city-breakers looking beyond the usual suspects, 2026 appears less about chasing icons and more about finding experiences that feel personal and humane.
And if the mood of Destinations: The Holiday & Travel Show is any guide, the future of travel may be calmer, slower — and richer for it.
