Travel as we know it is getting a serious reboot. With the launch of its second annualWTF: What the Future Report, KAYAK is tapping into billions of searches—plus TikTok-fuelled cultural signals—to decode how Canadians will plan, book, and experience travel in 2026. From off-the-feed destinations and wellness-first itineraries to AI becoming your new travel BFF, the year ahead is all about smarter, more human journeys. We sat down with Matthias Keller, Chief Product Officer at KAYAK, to unpack the trends shaping what’s next—and why the future of travel might feel more personal than ever. —Noa Nichol
Let’s start big: If 2026 travel had a personality, how would KAYAK describe it—and how is it different from the way Canadians travelled even two years ago?
2026 travel is a curious, flexible best friend: tech-savvy, value-driven and experience-first. Two years ago, Canadians were still rebounding and booking cautiously; now they’re more confident, more adaptable and far more strategic about when, where and how they travel.
“Not-yet-Tok’d” destinations are trending—are Canadians officially over viral travel spots, or are they just craving the thrill of discovery again?
Canadians aren’t over viral destinations, they’re over the crowds and price spikes that come with them. Only 8% say social media influences how often they travel, and instead they’re using tools like Price Alerts to find better value, quieter timing and destinations that feel discovered, not duplicated.
KAYAK’s data shows Gen Z and Millennials want places they’ve never seen before—what does “new” actually mean now: new countries, new cities, or new feelings?
“New” isn’t just a new pin on the map, it’s a new feeling. For Canadian Gen Z and Millennials, it’s about discovery, emotion and perspective, with money and safety still setting the boundaries. The destination matters, but how it makes you feel matters more.
Wellth trips suggest rest is the new status symbol. Are Canadians finally prioritizing how a trip makes them feel over how it looks online?
Absolutely. Rest is the new luxury. Two-thirds of Canadians (67%) say they’re choosing trips that help them truly relax, trading staged, shareable moments for experiences that actually restore them.
AI is now being treated like a travel BFF—what’s the most surprising way Canadians are already using AI to plan trips?
Canadians are using AI less for inspiration and more for savings. Instead of asking “where should I go?” they’re asking KAYAK AI to find the cheapest cities, best travel dates and lowest fares, turning AI into a deal-finding sidekick.
Nearly 95% of Gen Z and Millennials plan to travel for a major event in 2026—are trips becoming more about moments than destinations?
Yes – travel has shifted from “where” to “why.” Younger Canadians are booking trips around concerts, festivals and global events like the World Cup, choosing destinations because of the moments they’ll experience there, not just the landmarks they’ll see.
From Northern Lights to eclipses to whale watching—why do you think awe-driven travel (“gasp-aways”) is resonating so strongly right now?
Because people are chasing emotion, not just photos. After years of routine and screen fatigue, travellers want “gasp” moments that feel rare, grounding and unforgettable – experiences that create meaning first and memories second.
Small towns are having a moment. Is this about affordability, authenticity—or are Canadians just tired of crowds?
It’s all three – but affordability is the biggest driver. With 79% of Canadians saying price limits their travel choices, smaller towns offer better value, fewer crowds and more authentic experiences, especially for shorter, closer-to-home trips.
Some of the destinations seeing the biggest price drops for Canadians YoY include Phuket City, Beijing, Honolulu Istanbul, San Jose and Mexico City – all seeing drops between 17 and 24% YoY.
The rise of nanocations and slow travel feels contradictory—are Canadians trying to travel less or just travel smarter?
Smarter. Canadians aren’t cutting back on travel, they’re cutting back on burnout. Shorter trips and slower pacing allow for deeper experiences, especially when budgets are tight, with 29% prioritizing quality over packed itineraries.
Finally, if someone is planning a 2026 trip right now, what’s the one mindset shift KAYAK thinks will make their travel experience noticeably better?
Build flexibility into your plans. The best trips aren’t the most perfectly planned, they’re the ones where you adapt, pivot and let the unexpected become part of the experience.
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January 17th, 2026 at 5:13 pm
This was a really insightful piece, especially the idea that 2026 travel is shifting from “where” to “why.” The focus on emotion-driven trips, wellness-first planning, and flexibility makes a lot of sense after years of crowded destinations and burnout-style travel. I found the part about Canadians using AI more for savings than inspiration particularly interesting—it shows how value and smarter planning are becoming central to travel decisions. The rise of “gasp-aways,” smaller towns, and nanocations reflects a real desire for meaning, not just photos. Funny enough, I was reading this while taking a break from gaming and using a free fire proxy server , and it struck me how both travel and tech are moving toward more personalized, smoother experiences. Great article overall—very forward-thinking and well explained.