2026 travel trends: wellness, sustainability and the new way we holiday

 

If 2025 was the year of getting away, 2026 will be the year of travelling with intention. People aren’t just picking a place on the map anymore, they’re choosing how a destination makes them feel. 

This year’s biggest travel drivers? Wellness and sustainability. 

What does that mean? Put simply, people want breaks that feel good - for them and for the planet. From eco-conscious lodges to slow-living retreats, 2026 is all about redefining what really makes a holiday unforgettable.

And at The Vale, these aren’t just drivers, they’re the foundation of every lodge, cottage, and experience we offer.

Here’s what’s trending on the 2026 holiday front…

 

1. Wellness holidays are becoming more mainstream

Wellness used to look like expensive retreats or strict itineraries. Not anymore.

In 2026, wellness is becoming part of everyday life: accessible, restorative and holistic.

Travellers are looking for:

• Hot tubs, saunas and nature-led relaxation
• Stays designed for deep sleep, calm, and reconnection with the outdoors
• Green spaces that encourage digital detoxing
• Coastal and countryside breaks with room to really breathe
• Outdoor activities that reset the mind (wild swimming, hiking, cold dips)

The big shift?
People want holidays that heal, not just entertain, and wellness is no longer a niche, it’s  shaping how we live our lives.

 

2. Sustainability influences booking decisions

Eco-conscious travel is moving past trend status. As of 2026, it’s become a baseline requirement when choosing where to holiday.

Holidaymakers are actively choosing:

• Energy-positive accommodation (solar, heat pumps, eco-materials, EV charging)
• Businesses that are transparent about their environmental impact
• Stays that feel responsible, not wasteful
• Destinations that protect nature rather than burden it
• Places where local culture, food and heritage are celebrated

Holidaymakers are tired of being misled by big brands pushing sustainable getaways. They want the real deal when it comes to sustainability: thoughtful design, low-carbon stays, and spaces that put nature first.

 

3. Nature-first travel takes priority

The conversations around wellbeing and sustainability always lead back to one place: nature. 

In 2026, we’re seeing a huge shift towards holidays that put the outdoors at the centre of the experience:

• Forest bathing
• Ocean-view walks
• Stargazing
• Fresh-air escapes
• Rewilding plans
• Countryside retreats away from tourist hot spots

Travellers want to feel grounded and escape everyday life, and nature remains the most powerful way to achieve just that. When you stay at The Vale, you’re only steps from tranquil Cornish landscapes and breathtaking coastlines, giving you the ultimate nature reset.

 

4. Slow, seasonal, off-peak travel takes off

Peak-season holidays are losing their shine: overpriced, overcrowded and over-stimulating. Instead, wellness and sustainability are guiding travel choices.

• Winter wellness breaks
• Spring resets
• Autumn slow escapes
• Mid-week stays instead of weekends
• Longer trips with fewer activities

These seasons are calmer, more reflective, much better value, and significantly more sustainable. Off-peak travel reduces pressure on destinations, making it a win-win for travellers and the environment.

 

6. Self-catering accommodation takes the lead 

2026 travellers want:

• Space
• Privacy
• Quiet
• Freedom
• Flexibility
• Natural surroundings

Self-catering lodges and cottages tick all these boxes. They allow guests to eat when they want, relax how they want, and connect more deeply with the place they're visiting and the people they’re visiting with. All of our lodges and cottages at The Vale are self-catering; an intentional choice that gives guests full control over their stay. 

Hotels? They’re becoming reserved for “special occasion” stays while self-catering is becoming a clear year-round favourite.

 

7. Digital downtime becomes a key booking point

Holidays that offer low-tech or no-tech experiences are gaining momentum. More people are choosing destinations that let them unplug, switch off, and enjoy a true digital detox.

Travellers want:

• Spaces that encourage being present
• No-pressure environments
• Breaks from constant notifications
• Reconnection with family, partners, and themselves

Wellness breaks are evolving from fancy spas to simple, meaningful rituals: morning coffee outside, stargazing, slow walks, and unhurried evenings.

 

2026 is the year of the conscious traveller

This year is all about feeling good: in your mind, in your body, and in your choices.

Travellers want:

• Rest
• Nature
• Meaning
• Transparency
• Lower impact
• Improved wellbeing
• Greater connection

The future of travel is slower, greener, and far more intentional, and destinations that champion wellness and sustainability will stand out.

Solar-powered energy, water-saving systems, thoughtful design, and a mindful, Ohana-driven ethos mean every stay at The Vale lets you recharge, reconnect, and explore Cornwall in an eco-friendly way.

Want to travel sustainably in 2026? Get connected with The Vale today and experience holidays like never before.