Local Adventures and Culinary Journeys Set to Shape Travel Next Year – Agoda Reveals Asia’s Top Five Travel Trends for 2026

Digital travel platform Agoda has published its 2026 Travel Outlook Report, spotlighting five key trends and insights that will define the next year of travel in Asia.

1. Home is Where the Adventure Begins
- Domestic travel is surging, with 35% of Asians planning more local trips (up from 15% last year).
- Strongest in Japan (67%) and Thailand (66%), where travelers prefer exploring hidden gems within their own countries.

2. Culinary Journeys Take Center Stage
- Food has jumped into the top three motivators for travel, rising from sixth place last year.
- Biggest foodies: Taiwan (47%), Vietnam (35%), and South Korea (34%), where cuisine is a primary reason to travel.

3. Smart Deals Drive Travel Choices
- Price is the #1 priority for 39% of travelers, ahead of location (30%) and reviews (18%).
- Budget-conscious travelers in Malaysia, Vietnam, and Indonesia prefer stays under $50 per night.

4. Frequent Family Trips & Microtravel
- 35% plan 4–6 trips in 2026, often short family getaways.
- 32% plan microtrips (1–3 days).
- Indonesians stand out: 32% plan 11+ trips, and 14% expect trips lasting 13+ days, the highest in the region.

5. AI as the New Travel Essential
- Nearly 63% of travelers say they’ll use AI to plan trips.
- Top uses: recommending local attractions, providing translations, and creating tailored itineraries.
- Agoda is already leveraging AI to personalize search results and bundle 6M+ properties, 130K+ flight routes, and 300K+ activities into single bookings.

Leadership Insight
- Omri Morgenshtern (CEO, Agoda): “Asian travelers are shaping global travel in 2026 by exploring local gems, seeking culinary experiences, and leaning on AI to guide their journeys.”