A picturesque Vancouver Island town has been named one of the top trending travel destinations in the world for 2026, according to travel website Expedia.
On Wednesday, Expedia released its list of “2026’s Destinations of the Year — Beyond the Crowds,” based on real-time data from its users.
Ucluelet was named the seventh top trending destination in the world, and was the only Canadian city to make the list.
The seaside community saw a 44 per cent increase in searches for flights and accommodations through Expedia for trips between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2025 compared to the same time last year.
Expedia describes Ucluelet as an “ideal” spot for surfers and kayakers, but also points to its location near the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve as a way to find nature adventures on land.
“Summer months are pleasant, while winters are mild and rainy but remain popular among storm watchers,” reads the travel website. “The city’s name is pronounced ‘Yew-kloo-let’ and means ‘Safe Harbor’ in the Nuu-chah-nulth language.”
Ucluelet was also a recipient of Expedia’s new “Smart Travel Health Check,” which is given to communities that offer “meaningful travel experiences and proactively manage tourism in a sustainable way,” which can help reduce pressure on “overvisited cities” across the globe.
“This innovative initiative reflects the urgent need to embrace responsible growth models that safeguard communities, protect cultural and natural heritage, and ensure the long-term resilience of destinations,” said Christopher Imbsen, vice president of policy at the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), which Expedia’s new “Smart Travel Health Check” is based on.
The number one top trending destination in the world for 2026 is Big Sky, Montana, according to Expedia, which saw a whopping 92 per cent increase in searches this year compared to last year
It was followed by Okinawa Japan, with a 71 per cent increase, and Sardinia, Italy, which saw a 63 per cent increase.
The full list can be found on the Expedia website.
Vancouver Island as a whole has been well-recognized travel spot this year. Earlier this fall, Airbnb named Ucluelet one of the top domestic travel destinations in Canada.
Victoria was also named the “best small city in the world” for the third consecutive year by Condé Nast Traveler’s 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards.
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