Travel's Future: 2026 Hospitality Trends Redefine Experiences & Journeys

• Experience Becomes the New Currency: Travellers seek authentic, local, immersive experiences, with hospitality brands becoming storytellers of local culture, as highlighted by Ashish Sidhra, co-founder, Alike.
• Effortless Personalisation: Data and AI-driven services offer predictive, seamless, and intuitive travel experiences, prioritizing ease and relevance over excess.
• Airports Emerge as Part of the Stay: Airports are transforming into extensions of the hospitality experience, with curated retail, F&B, and seamless tech, as noted by Naresh Sharma, CEO, IRHPL Group of Companies.
• Sustainability & Blended Travel: Sustainability is a core expectation, with regenerative travel gaining momentum; blended travel (work/leisure) blurs boundaries, influencing flexible workspaces.
• Wellness & Human Touch: Wellness is central, focusing on mental well-being and balance; technology enhances efficiency, but human connection, empathy, and intuition remain vital for memorable experiences.

Why It Matters: 2026 travel prioritizes authentic experiences, seamless tech, and human connection, transforming hospitality into an ecosystem.