2026 Travel Takes Off: Falling Prices and Global Events Push New Cities Into the Spotlight, per KAYAK Data

Rhea-AI Summary

KAYAK released its 2026 Travel Trends Forecast identifying cheaper fares, rising searches and new routes as drivers for stronger travel demand in 2026. Key metrics: travel interest +9%, domestic airfares -3%, international airfares -10%. Eastern Europe dominates trending destinations (7 of top 10), led by Prague +180% and Christchurch +194% for U.S. travelers. Notable airfare drops include Sarajevo -36% and Split -33%. Summer searches are already up 9%, with international fares down further (-12%). Methodology: KAYAK search data comparisons for defined 2024–2025 windows.

Positive

• Travel interest +9% year-over-year
• Christchurch flight interest +194% YoY
• Prague flight interest +180% YoY
• Sarajevo airfare -36% (largest drop listed)
• International summer fares -12% (early searches)

Negative

• Domestic airfare down only 3%, limiting domestic price relief
• Regional disparities in airfare declines (Asia -16% vs domestic -3%)

Key Figures

Travel interest change up 9% KAYAK 2026 Travel Trends overall flight search interest

Domestic airfare change down 3% KAYAK 2026 forecast, domestic economy return flights

International airfare change down 10% KAYAK 2026 forecast, international economy return flights

Prague interest up 180% Year-over-year flight interest for Prague, Czech Republic

Christchurch interest up 194% Year-over-year flight interest for Christchurch, New Zealand

Sarajevo airfare down 36% Largest drop in airfare among listed 2026 destinations

Middle East summer interest up 35% Summer 2026 search interest versus prior year

Asia airfare down 16% Summer 2026 international value pick based on KAYAK data

Market Reality Check

$5406.99 Last Close

Volume Volume 401,882 is 1.34x the 20-day average of 299,366, indicating elevated interest ahead of this travel-demand update. normal

Technical Price 5,393.74 is trading above the 200-day MA of 5,218.15, reflecting a pre-existing upward bias into this travel trends release.

Peers on Argus

BKNG gained 0.9% with elevated volume while key travel peers like ABNB, EXPE, TCOM and cruise names such as RCL and CUK also showed positive moves, but none appeared in the momentum scanner, suggesting stock-specific rather than coordinated sector momentum.

Historical Context

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Dec 17	Marketing campaign tie-up	Positive	-1.8%	Athletic Brewing and OpenTable January moderation campaign and new SKUs launch.
Dec 11	AI integration news	Positive	+0.1%	Maple–OpenTable AI voice integration to automate restaurant phone reservations.
Dec 09	Hotel platform launch	Positive	+0.3%	Allegiant Hotels global booking platform powered by Rocket Travel by Agoda.
Dec 03	Voice AI reservations	Positive	-1.7%	Loman AI–OpenTable integration for full voice AI reservation management.
Dec 03	Ticketing partnership	Positive	-1.7%	viagogo–Booking.com deal to bundle tickets with hotels, flights and cars.

Pattern Detected

Recent partnership and platform news has often seen mixed reactions, with several positive ecosystem announcements followed by modest single-day share price declines.

Recent Company History

Over the last few weeks, BKNG-linked news has centered on ecosystem partnerships and platform integrations. On Dec 3 and Dec 11, OpenTable-focused AI integrations aimed to automate restaurant reservations. On Dec 9, Allegiant Hotels launched using Rocket Travel by Agoda to serve over 20 million rewards members. A Dec 3 viagogo partnership sought to convert ticket sales into full trip bookings. Despite generally constructive themes, price reactions have alternated between small gains and modest pullbacks.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement underscores strengthening global travel demand into 2026, with KAYAK reporting travel interest up 9% and international airfare down 10%. Eastern Europe and Christchurch saw triple‑digit interest gains, while Asia and Europe showed summer airfare declines of 16% and 14%. For a platform owner like BKNG, these data points frame a backdrop of robust intent and greater affordability. Investors may watch how such demand trends filter into actual bookings alongside ongoing insider selling activity in recent Form 4s.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

Eastern Europe Set to Dominate Travel Amid Lower Fares & Improved Accessibility

BOSTON, Dec. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- KAYAK, the world's leading travel search engine, today released its highly anticipated 2026 Travel Trends Forecast, an exclusive analysis powered by millions of searches and a first look at KAYAK's forward-looking travel insights.

The forecast signals a year of exploration driven by increasing travel interest, lower airfares and emerging global hotspots.

Across its flight search data, KAYAK found travel interest is climbing (up 9%) while airfares are easing (down 3% domestically and 10% internationally) setting the stage for a busy year of more affordable trips.

"Lower fares and rising interest mean travelers can stretch their budgets further in 2026," said [KAYAK spokesperson]. "Couple lower fares with new routes expanding access to historically under-the-radar cities and you've got travelers finding more reasons and more ways to explore the world."

Eastern Europe Dominates 2026's Trending Destinations
Europe is leading 2026 travel trends - and Eastern Europe is stealing the show. Seven of the top 10 trending destinations are located in Eastern Europe, where affordability, cultural depth and improved connectivity are driving record interest.

Among the fastest-rising destinations:

• Prague, Czech Republic — Interest up 180%
• Sofia, Bulgaria — Interest up 136%
• Krakow, Poland — Interest up 106%
• Budapest, Hungary — Interest up 86%
• Tirana, Albania — Interest up 66%
• Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina — Interest up 62%

The world's fastest-growing destination for Americans is Christchurch, New Zealand, with an impressive 194% year-over-year increase in flight interest. And with new nonstop service making Christchurch feel closer than ever, travelers are jumping at the chance to explore the South Island.

Fandom-Fueled Travel Surges in 2026
Pop culture, sports and global events are leaving an unmistakable imprint on travel behavior. Cities tied to major fandoms are surging:

• Kansas City is seeing a 14% rise in interest and ranks among the top 50 trending destinations for Americans, fueled by a combination of its powerhouse football team, heightened celebrity buzz, and its role as a host city for the upcoming world soccer tournament.
  
  
• Milan is experiencing a 15% lift in flight searches as excitement builds ahead of the 2026 Winter Games.
  
  
• Las Vegas is back in a big way. After a softer 2025, the city has rebounded with an 18% increase in flight interest and ranks among the top 50 cities in KAYAK's top trend list propelled by new entertainment residencies, major events and competitive fares.

Where to Find the Best Deals in 2026
KAYAK's analysis shows that the best flight deals are returning, particularly for long-haul travel. The destinations with the largest drops in airfare include:

1. Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina: Airfare down 36%
2. Split, Croatia: Airfare down 33%
3. Naples, Italy: Airfare down 26%
4. Florence, Italy: Airfare down 26%
5. Shannon, Ireland: Airfare down 25%

For travelers prioritizing low-cost domestic options, Punta Gorda, FL, New York, NY, and Raleigh, NC offer the lowest average airfare for 2026.

First Look at Summer 2026: Early Searches Show Strong International Interest
Early planning for summer 2026 is already underway, with summer searches already up 9% compared to last year. Notable insights include:

• International airfare is down 12%, making long-haul trips more accessible than in prior seasons.
• Asia and Europe are emerging as top value picks, with airfare down 16% and 14%, respectively.
• The Middle East is experiencing a 35% jump in summer search interest, driven by expanding flight connectivity.
• The Caribbean is up 15%, supported by strong demand for warm-weather escapes.

With lower fares and new routes unlocking broader global access, check out KAYAK AI Mode to chat about cheapest days to travel and best times to book.

Methodology
2026 Travel Trends: Based on KAYAK flight, hotel and rental car searches from 4/1/2025–9/30/2025 for travel between 1/1/2026–12/31/2026, compared to searches from 4/1/2024–9/30/2024 for travel between 1/1/2025–12/31/2025. Prices are averages for economy return flights, standard double hotel rooms, and daily rental car rates. Percent changes are approximate; prices may vary.

Summer 2026 Insights: Based on KAYAK flight searches from 6/1/2025–11/15/2025 for departures between 5/21/2026–9/9/2026 from U.S. airports, compared to searches from 6/1/2024–11/15/2024 for departures between 5/22/2025–9/3/2025.

About KAYAK
KAYAK, part of Booking Holdings (NASDAQ: BKNG), is the world's leading travel search engine. With billions of queries across our platforms, we help people find their perfect flight, stay, rental car and vacation package. Trusted by millions of travelers, the KAYAK app makes travel planning seamless on iOS and Android, and we also support business travelers with our corporate travel solution, KAYAK for Business.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/2026-travel-takes-off-falling-prices-and-global-events-push-new-cities-into-the-spotlight-per-kayak-data-302648275.html

SOURCE KAYAK

FAQ

What did KAYAK report about overall travel interest and airfares for 2026 (BKNG)?

KAYAK reported travel interest +9%, domestic airfares -3% and international airfares -10% for 2026 searches.

Which cities showed the biggest increases in flight interest in KAYAK's 2026 forecast for BKNG?

Top increases include Christchurch +194%, Prague +180%, Sofia +136%, and Krakow +106%.

Which destinations had the largest airfare declines in KAYAK's 2026 data?

Largest airfare drops listed were Sarajevo -36%, Split -33%, Naples -26%, and Florence -26%.

How is summer 2026 travel shaping up according to KAYAK (BKNG)?

Early summer searches are up 9%; international summer airfare is down 12%, with Asia and Europe showing notable declines.

What regional travel trends did KAYAK highlight that could affect BKNG bookings?

KAYAK highlighted Eastern Europe (7 of top 10 trending) and a 35% jump in Middle East summer search interest as notable regional shifts.

Where did KAYAK say travelers can find the best deals for 2026?

KAYAK identified long-haul and select European markets as best deals, citing large airfare declines in destinations like Sarajevo and Split.