Leading global travel platform Skyscanner has unveiled its 2026 travel trends report, highlighting top destinations and insights into Canadian travel behaviour.
Drawing from proprietary data, a global survey of more than 20,000 travellers, and trusted industry insights, Skyscanner has released its 2026 Travel Trends report. The findings highlight everything Canadians need to know for the year ahead – from emerging travel behaviours to the top 10 trending and best value destinations.
Trending Destinations for Canadians
Canadian travel behaviour in 2026 shows a growing appetite for destinations that balance cultural discovery, coastal charm, and vibrant city life. From Portugal’s Azores to the Caribbean’s capital cities and dynamic urban centres in Mexico and Taiwan, Canadians are prioritizing warm weather, authenticity and accessibility. They are mixing international adventures with closer-to-home escapes, choosing destinations that celebrate natural beauty, cultural vibrancy and a sense of connection.
Here are the top 10 destinations with the biggest year-on-year increase in searches*:
- Terceira Lajes, Azores, Portugal: +209 per cent increase
- Basseterre, Saint Kitts: +170 per cent increase
- Castries, Saint Lucia: +160 per cent increase
- Guadalajara, Mexico: +146 per cent increase
- Comox, British Columbia, Canada: +145 per cent increase
- Kaohsiung, Taiwan: +122 per cent increase
- Victoria, British Columbia, Canada: +115 per cent increase
- Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada: +105 per cent increase
- Lyon, France: +99 per cent increase
- Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal: +98 per cent increase
*Source: Destinations seeing increase in flight searches between January 1, 2025 and June 30, 2025, for travel throughout 2025, compared to the same period in 2024
It’s interesting to see that Canadians are catching onto the Azores. I went maybe 10 years ago and thought it was a magical place, with water and lava coastlines that look like Hawaii, green fields that would make the Irish envious, and Mediterranean-looking villages. Throw in some of the world’s best hiking, year-round moderate temperatures and fabulous food, and you’ve got a great European destination that’s just 5-1/2 hours from New York City and maybe 15-20 minutes longer from Toronto.
 The Azores are beautiful islands a couple hours west of the Portuguese mainland. Jim Byers Photo Biggest Price Drops for Canadian travellers
These are the top factors determining budget-friendly travel destinations among Canadians:
- The cost of flights (62 per cent)
- The cost of accommodations (58 per cent)
- The cost of food and drink (37 per cent)
These are the top 10 best value destinations**:
- Lyon, France: -35 per cent price drop
- Dublin, Ireland: -29 per cent price drop
- Seoul, South Korea: -22 per cent price drop
- Bucharest, Romania: -21 per cent price drop
- Zurich, Switzerland: -21 per cent price drop
- Venice, Italy: -20 per cent price drop
- Ponta Delgada, Portugal: -20 per cent price drop
- Mexico City, Mexico: -16 per cent price drop
- Dubai, United Arab Emirates: -16 per cent price drop
- Marrakech, Morocco: -16 per cent price drop
**Based on per cent price drop for economy class return flight booked between January 1, 2025, and June 30, 2025 for travel throughout 2025, compared to the same period in 2024
 Dubai. ZQ Lee/Unsplash Photo Explore More, Spend Less
Travel demands amongst Canadians remain strong with 30 per cent of Canadians planning on travelling more in 2026, and finding the best value destinations is a priority for travellers.
For 62 per cent of Canadians, the cost of flights is the highest determining factor when it comes to choosing a destination, with 70 per cent budgeting the same amount or more towards travel. Anticipated spending on car rentals and accommodations is expected to increase by 17 per cent and 58 per cent, respectively. To stay on top of the best deals, sign up for Skyscanner’s Price Alerts to be notified when fares drop in price.
The Trends in Transit
The 2026 report uncovers seven key trends, all reflecting how this is the year travel gets personal, driven by a desire for community, authenticity, and new paths of exploration.
- Glowmads: Rising interest in beauty and skincare is influencing real-world travel behaviours. Gen Z is pioneering this trend, with 36 per cent planning to seek out beauty treatments and skincare stores while travelling in 2026.
- Altitude Shift: Canadians are seeking a new point of view in their travel endeavours in 2026. Mountains are having their moment, with 74 per cent of Canadian travellers considering or planning a mountain escape for summer or autumn 2026, highlighting that mountains attract visitors well beyond the winter season. Finding peak serenity is a priority, with 61 per cent of travellers booking mountain travel for peace and quiet.
- Bookbound: Reading is having a global renaissance, translating into literary-led travel behaviours – from visiting destinations inspired by beloved books, to planning holidays around reading retreats. Fourty eight per cent of Canadians say that they have booked, or would consider booking a trip inspired by literature.
- Family Miles: With the cost of living rising, many are embracing multi-generational travel, with 34 per cent of Gen Z adults citing saving money as a core incentive to travel with family. This trend benefits the whole family, with 54 per cent of adults saying family travel is a chance to make memories, and 29 per cent saying that it’s a chance to truly connect with each other.
- Catching Flights & Feelings: Travel in 2026 is about the place and the people. Fifty per cent of Canadian travellers have gone or have considered going overseas specifically to meet new people. Connecting with others is a key driver for travel, with 24 per cent hoping to meet people from different cultures and backgrounds, and 21 per cent to foster meaningful friendships.
- Destination Check-In: Travellers are increasingly choosing where to go based on where they want to stay. In 2026, hotels and accommodations aren’t just places to sleep; they’re becoming the destination itself. Forty-four per cent of travellers say they have picked a destination solely because of the accommodations, and 27 per cent are planning to book a stay that is part of the experience. From striking architecture to transportive design, travellers are prioritizing unique stays that shape the entire journey.
- Shelf Discovery: Fifty-eight per cent of travellers say they always or often visit supermarkets abroad to stock up on local flavours. 2026 is all about exploring destinations belly-first, and 41 per cent of Canadians are going to local supermarkets to discover meals, snacks or drinks they can’t get at home.
“Travellers are redefining what it means to explore, whether embracing self-care through beauty inspired trips, seeking serenity in the mountains, or letting literature inspire their journeys,” says Laura Lindsay, Skyscanner Travel Expert. “2026 is the year that travel gets personal, and it’s about more than the destinations themselves. Canadians are pioneering a travel landscape that is all about crafting unique itineraries that resonate on an individual level, making each trip a deeply personal adventure.”
Find the Full 2026 Travel Trends Report here. |
