By Karen Weiner Escalera, KWE Partners
MIAMI, FL / ACCESS Newswire / March 26, 2026 / What's in store for 2026? It's the time of year we map out travel and lifestyle trends, a key element in travel marketing and public relations. Here are the key trends we've identified in overall travel and important niches.
One of the big changes based on a survey, Hilton Hotels' 2026 Trends Report, is how travelers are choosing their place to go. It's no longer based on destination but rather on purpose and emotion (the "why") i.e. The Whycation. It's about intentional travel for specific goals like rest, reconnection, personal growth, learning a skill, or finding calm, moving away from just sightseeing to seeking meaningful, enriching experiences.
The takeaway: expect more offerings that feature mindfulness, getting back in touch with oneself, and escaping anxiety; multi-generational trips; and friends' getaways.
Spas in hotels and resorts are stepping up their game, competing with some of the big hotel brands that are launching wellness-centric resorts. Besides relaxation and pampering and cosmetic offerings, the top ones are looking at offerings that address mind, body, and soul "reset." Longevity treatments are also increasingly on the menu. These treatments focus on reducing inflammation, repairing DNA, and improving cellular function to extend one's "healthspan" (the period of life spent in good health). Some of the treatments include whole body cryotherapy (temperature shock), biohacking (medical technology to improve body's natural recovery processes); infusions (to improve health of skin and cells); and more. Another big trend is the emphasis on improving sleep with everything from focusing on new routines and special menus to therapies, even for kids.
Vanity Fair magazine wrote about two camps of men these days, "low bro" and "high bro" (short for low brow and high brow). Up until now, men's travel getaways were in the "low bro" category as in bachelor getaways focusing on partying, clubbing, and drinking, or spring break with more of the same. Look for "high bro" packages for male group getaways offering elements like wellness and fitness offerings, meditation, soft adventure, and reconnecting with friends.
Resorts are starting to go "all in" on special facilities for kids and teens especially kids and teens clubs. For instance, I was just at the Grand Velas Riviera Maya checking out their kids' facilities. Their multi-million dollar new teens club has everything from a cinema and golf simulator (with mens' and womens' clubs) to an arcade, pool tables, foosball, air hockey, individual pods for gaming, and even a Ring light station for social media video production. Then kids as young as several years old have the Jungle Spa, complete with mani/pedis, wash and blow dry, Japanese shiatsu neck massage, and special age-specific beauty products.
And finally, solo travel continues to grow and is also going more upscale. Expect more luxe and ultra luxe offerings, more pampering and laying out the red carpet from luxury hotels and resorts, plus including activities in the destination.
In the culinary world, you'll be seeing more "grab and go" type offerings even when hotels have restaurants. This can be a section of the hotel shop or a coffee bar that also offers sandwiches and salads packaged to go. The thinking: travelers want to spend less time (and calories) eating.
About KWE Partners
KWE Partners has more than 45 years of experience in public relations and marketing for travel, hospitality, real estate and luxury lifestyle, first in New York City and now in Miami. The travel pr agency has counseled top executives at a "who's who" of global hotel chains, boutique resorts, cruise lines, airlines, credit card companies and government tourism boards. The firm's PR and marketing campaigns have been cited as setting the standard by influential consumer and industry media. Travel pr agency President and Chief Strategist Karen Weiner Escalera is recognized as a leading lifestyle trends authority and has published the internationally syndicated "Luxury Travel & Lifestyle Trends" newsletter. She also is a recipient of the Hospitality Sales Association Marketing Institute's (HSMAI) prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award and has been named one of the Top 25 Extraordinary Minds in Hospitality Sales and Marketing by HSMAI.
Media Contact:
Karen Weiner Escalera
escalera@kwepr.com
305-476-5424
SOURCE: KWE Partners
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