Booking.com: Press

Booking.com’s Travel Predictions for 2026* found that 43% of travellers would vacation specifically to feel closer to the natural world. A quarter (25%) would choose “quieter” hobbies on vacation that prioritize patience, reflection and stress relief. For the perfect backdrop to this growing style of exceptionally serene travel, explore 10 surprisingly tropical European islands to consider for a lesser-known beach getaway below.

Aussie travellers are setting their sights on Asia this Easter, with new search data from Booking.com revealing a growing appetite for culturally rich experiences over the April long weekend.

Harrogate - famed for its historic tearooms and long association with Yorkshire Tea - has been named the UK’s most welcoming destination in Booking.com’s 2026 Traveller Review Awards.

Booking.com’s Travel Predictions for 2026 found that 25% of travelers* want to take part in life’s “quieter” hobbies on their travels, and 21% said they’d be happy to go on a vacation just to enjoy a natural sensory experience, such as the whistle of birds chirping.

Nestled along a stunning stretch of Thailand's Andaman Coast between Phuket and Krabi, Phang Nga province was recognized in the 2026 Booking.com Traveller Review Awards as one of the world's most welcoming destinations, based on guest reviews. One could argue that this distinction applies to much of Thailand — long nicknamed the "Land of Smiles" – yet in Phang Nga, the hospitality often feels particularly authentic and unforced.

From fantasy balls to LARPing weekends, "romantasy" travel (choosing immersive holidays inspired by fantasy literature) is one of 2026's fastest-growing travel trends, according to Booking.com. Mermaiding – swimming in natural water bodies and pools while wearing a mermaid tail – is as immersive as you can get.

The online travel website Booking.com just released its 2026 “Best Cities for Traveler Hospitality” report, revealing the most welcoming cities for travelers in the United States and internationally. No more worrying like you’re the new kid in school—you can hold your head high and book with confidence.

Booking.com recommends outdoor destinations in Asia for nature-loving couples ready to deepen their connection through shared adventures. According to Travel Predictions 2026 research unveiled by Booking.com, Thai travelers (92%) would be taking a trip with their partners to see how well they click, while 88% are considering a remote location to see how their companion handle ambiguity and discomfort*.

Exploring the world, and the growth that appears while together along the way, can’t be replaced with any tangible consumer gifts. Booking.com’s travel predictions for 2026* found that more than half (54%) of Canadian travellers (54%) would consider travelling to a remote location to see how their companion handles ambiguity and discomfort.

In a year when 79%* of travelers are craving spontaneous, flexible road trips, Booking.com is making it easier for travelers to hit the road. The global travel leader has been named the Official Travel Partner of the Route 66 Centennial, helping to spotlight one of America’s most iconic highways as it approaches its 100th birthday in 2026. It comes at a moment when road trips give travelers what they want most: better value, the freedom to explore multiple destinations, and local experiences at their own pace.

Big cities may hold great allure, but smaller destinations are still the most welcoming, according to new rankings from Booking.com. The online travel booking platform recently released its annual Traveler Review Awards, and one thing is clear. Small-town charm is alive and well.

For Booking.com’s annual Traveller Review Awards, the travel website declared the 10 Most Welcoming Cities for 2026, based on data gathered from over 370 million verified Booking.com reviews.

Noosa Council has welcomed news that Noosa Heads has been named one of the Top 10 Most Welcoming Towns on Earth. The coastal suburb is the only Australian destination to make the list in Booking.com’s 14th annual Traveller Review Awards.

As part of Booking.com’s 14th annual Traveller Review Awards, the company analysed more than 370 million verified reviews in order to identify destinations across the globe where you’d most likely walk away having made a friend or two.

Booking.com’s 2026 Travel Predictions found that travelers are drawn to road trips that make travel more spontaneous and flexible (79%), lets them meet new people (77%), and allows them to share driving responsibilities (76%).

Now, the world's top 10 most welcoming destinations for 2026 have been revealed in Booking.com's Annual Traveller Review Awards.

The Queensland beach paradise appeared in Booking.com's Traveller Review Awards, shining a spotlight on the warm-hearted hospitality that Australia has become globally renowned for.

From hushed murders to tension-filled roundtables, the genre’s unforgettable filming locations play a pivotal role in shaping every dramatic turn. With 42%* of travellers interested in visiting a destination inspired by a fantasy series, Booking.com has curated a collection of locations that capture the drama, strategy and spectacle of these iconic reality television settings, no deception required.

Booking.com analyzed 370M reviews to name the Best Cities for Traveler Hospitality, with Fredericksburg, Texas, the only destination to top both U.S. and global lists.

Experts reckon Noosa Heads, on the Sunshine Coast north of Brisbane, outranks anywhere else for friendliness.Booking.com named the area, known for its beaches and national parks as well as its shops and restaurants top on both its Aussie and global 'most welcoming' places

Australia’s accommodation sector has reported a positive outlook for the peak summer travel season, according to Booking.com’s latest Australian Accommodation Barometer.

Booking.com and OpenAI are launching a programme to train 20,000 SMEs across Europe in AI skills.

With the recent rise in astrotourism, driven in part by large-scale events like the 2026 solar eclipse, more people are seeking new experiences under the stars—without sacrificing the comforts of a cozy cabin, lodge, or hotel. Case in point, 62 percent of 27,000 travelers surveyed in a 2025 travel predictions report by Booking.com said they plan to travel for stargazing, making it a popular travel trend in 2026, too

Booking.com says Americans are looking ahead to sun-drenched escapes to help shake off the post-holiday blues. New data collected from Booking.com shows a notable uptick in searches for sunny destinations, suggesting that the mere act of planning a vacation can be an instant mood-lifter.