Holidays are the annual highlight for one in two Australians, driving 2026 travel trends with 45 per cent planning to travel even more than last year. And the motivators might surprise you.
On average, Aussies are planning four trips this year – a mix of domestic and international getaways – signalling a shift towards more frequent, experience-led travel over one big annual holiday.
Webjet’s inaugural Go Somewhere Special 2026 travel trends report decodes the biggest drivers behind Aussies’ holiday destination choices.
What are the biggest drivers in 2026 travel trends?
The survey found that emotional connection is the strongest motivator when selecting destinations. Aussies are prioritising opportunities to reset, recharge and reconnect with affordability, safety, climate and accessibility also ranking highly.
Webjet Group Managing Director & CEO Katrina Barry said travel is playing a more central role in Australians’ lives.
“Travel has evolved from being a once-a-year treat into something Australians are actively building their lives around. Planning is now part of the excitement, and travellers are spending months researching, comparing and finding the right experience at the right value before they go somewhere special,” she said.
Another standout in 2026 travel trends is the prioritisation of the stay over the journey. More than a quarter (27%) of respondents say they would upgrade accommodation over a flight, ranking it ahead of splurging on dining, tours or other experiences.
This preference points to strong opportunities in boutique, premium and unique stays, particularly when positioned as central to the overall experience.
Barry said the shift reflects broader changes in traveller mindset.
“Travellers are investing in the parts of a trip that create lasting memories – where they stay, what they experience and how they feel once they arrive. It’s no longer just about getting from A to B; it’s about shaping an experience that feels meaningful from the moment planning begins,” she says.
Where are Aussies most excited to visit in 2026?
More than half of Aussies (60%) plan to travel overseas in 2026. Japan tops the list of the destinations that travellers are most excited to visit with Webjet data showing January 2026 bookings up 20 per cent year-on-year.
New Zealand (2), Indonesia (4) and the UK (5) are also in the top five destinations for Aussies to visit this year, while the US took third place, driven by excitement for Hawai’i’, LA and NYC.
Rounding out the top 10 overseas destinations that Australians are most excited to visit are Thailand, Italy, Vietnam, Singapore and Fiji.
Nine in 10 Aussies (86%) are also planning a domestic getaway in 2026 with Queensland topping the wish list of destinations, followed by NSW, Victoria, Tasmania and WA.
Read the full report here.
KARRYON UNPACKS: New 2026 travel trends show Aussies are chasing emotional connection and memorable stays over pure price. For advisors, it reinforces the importance of value-led, experiential itineraries with flexible packaging and curated accommodation as travellers continue to build their year around multiple, meaningful escapes.
