A trip to the past or inspiration from movies and series? Discover some tourism trends for 2026

• Lisbon: New things in the Portuguese capital range from gold from Brazil to contemporary art
• Scotland: The Isle of Whiskey and Singing Sands has been named one of the top destinations of 2026

These are the conclusions provided by the latest edition of the “Unpack” survey conducted annually by Hoteis.com which, based on the analysis of bookings and surveys from users of the service around the world, aims to determine travel trends for the following year.

— We analyzed the behavior of more than 24,000 travelers to understand new modalities and new interests, and these trends are changing all the time. We always care about people’s desires, even those who are a little outside the curve – explains Hotéis.com Marketing Director for Latin America, Juan Pasquel.

Below, see the three key trends identified by the Unpack ’26 survey:

According to the survey, by 2026, travelers will be more interested in staying at renovated properties that combine historic architecture, cultural significance, character and modern amenities. Hoteis.com’s “Hotels of the Year 2026” list identified the demand for establishments operating in older buildings, which already served other purposes, such as schools, train stations, banks and even prisons, but without giving up the amenities expected of a contemporary hotel.

Examples that fit this category exist all over the world. The research cites some, such as the Seiryu Kyoto Kiyomizu Hotel, a restored old school in Kyoto, Japan, with a 194% increase in searches from 2024 to 2025, and the Bodmin Jail Hotel, a former prison building in Cornwall, England, with a 110% increase in searches.

— In Brazil, a good example is Hotel Sandy, in the historic center of Paraty, which saw a 72% increase in searches on our platform. She works in a century-old house that housed, among other things, a school, a historic feature that adds extra charm to the property, Paskill says.

Another growing trend highlighted by the research is called “hotel route”, i.e. when travelers book more than one accommodation option within the same city or region, rather than having just one base for the entire stay. According to the survey, this practice has already been adopted by 54% of Hoteis.com users. Reasons include wanting to explore different neighborhoods (50%) or taking advantage of better deals (35%).

This is a stronger trend among Brazilians. According to the survey, 71% of users in Brazil said they would stay in more than one hotel when visiting a destination. Half of them claim the possibility of exploring different neighborhoods or areas, and 48% use reducing travel time between attractions and attractions as a justification. Brazilians also prefer hotels with different features, for example, one with a pool, another with a rooftop bar or spa (55%), giving priority to visiting different places within the same destination (54%).

— The Brazilians are world champions in this regard. It’s a trait that doesn’t surprise me, since Brazilians tend to take longer, more dispersed trips, the executive says.

Pasquale also points to the strengthening of “leisure” (combining business and leisure travel), especially among millennials and people from Generation Z, who are also joining the ranks of tourists who change hotels within a city or region when traveling for major sporting events, shows or festivals. For him, social media is also an important element in this equation, as changing hotels also means new scenarios for posts.

– Hotels and hostels are characters in our travels, and publishing these hotels gives a certain credibility, creates good envy – jokes the executive.

Travel inspired by movies and series in the year 2026

Finally, a Hoteis.com survey showed that 53% of its users say they are planning a trip inspired by movies or series. Among young people from Generations Y (Millennials) and Z, this percentage is even higher: 81%. Proving that the trend, first identified in 2022, is stronger than ever.

Nationally, 56% of Brazilians interviewed stated that they had already searched for vacation options in destinations that served as locations for film or television productions. Of the many places in the world, the French capital would be the most popular, with 42% of people citing the series “Emily in Paris” and “Lupin” and the movie “The Fabulous Destiny of Amélie Poulain” as references.

– I think the south of France, which will be the setting for the next season of “The White Lotus”, will be even more successful next year – says Pasquel, recalling that the production has already had similar effects in previous locations, especially in Thailand.