2026’s QuirkyTravel Trends: Grocery Tourism, Bookish Escapes and Glowcations – The Rise of Experience-Based Travel

As we step into 2026, the world of travel is witnessing a shift from traditional vacations to more intentional, experience-driven trips that reflect the evolving desires of today’s travelers. According to tourism industry experts and travel agencies, new travel trends are emerging that focus on personal enrichment, self-care, and cultural immersion, moving beyond the conventional idea of a holiday. Key among these are trends like glowcations, grocery tourism, and bookish breaks, all of which are poised to transform how people plan and experience their travels this year.

Glowcations: Traveling for Skincare, Wellness, and Rejuvenation

One of the standout travel trends of 2026 is glowcations—a new type of trip centered around skincare, wellness, and beauty rituals. Inspired by the global rise in K-beauty and other skincare routines, glowcations allow travelers to combine their spa vacations with beauty treatments, hydration routines, and even customized skincare therapies. Experts believe this trend is fueled by a growing desire for both mental relaxation and physical rejuvenation during travel. Aiming to blend relaxation with health, spas and wellness resorts are now offering skin-focused packages, including ancient thermal treatments, microbiome testing, and personalized skin-care regimens.

In South Korea, where this trend was first popularized, glowcation destinations like Seoul and Jeju Island are seeing a surge in international bookings. These destinations provide state-of-the-art beauty procedures, from advanced facial treatments to holistic therapies that align with well-being and health restoration. Travel agencies are reporting an uptick in interest for long-haul travel to K-beauty capitals, while glowmads (those traveling for beauty) are flocking to countries offering luxury skincare retreats.

Grocery Tourism: Exploring New Cultures Through Local Markets

Another exciting 2026 travel trend gaining traction is grocery tourism. This trend sees travelers exploring local supermarkets, food markets, and grocery shops as a way to connect with local culture, shop for authentic products, and bring home unique culinary souvenirs. The concept of “shelf discovery”—where travelers find and buy spices, preserves, and other locally sourced goods—has become a cherished way to extend the travel experience beyond traditional souvenirs.

This trend is not only about foodies seeking culinary experiences but also about embracing local traditions through food, such as finding artisanal olive oil in Italy or hand-painted spice jars in Morocco. In fact, Skyscanner reports that 80% of Indian travelers often visit local markets abroad, with a growing appetite for culinary tourism. What’s more, 89% of travelers would consider purchasing kitchenware like artisan spices or tins of olive oil as souvenirs, turning them into “shelfie souvenirs” that add authenticity and flavor to their home cooking.

Bookish Breaks: Traveling for the Love of Reading

Literary tourism, or bookish breaks, is experiencing a resurgence, with travelers seeking out serene destinations where they can immerse themselves in their love for books. According to Expedia’s Unpack ’26 Report, 91% of travelers are interested in planning vacations specifically to read, relax, and spend quality time with loved ones. These bookish retreats are often centered around libraries, bookstores, and historic literary landmarks—think the Trinity College Library in Dublin or the Haruki Murakami Library in Tokyo.

Literary travel encourages people to visit places that have inspired fictional worlds or places where they can immerse themselves in reading retreats—quiet places like charming cottages, mountain chalets, and secluded countryside homes. Many travelers are choosing destinations where they can experience storytelling and literature on a deeper level, sometimes even in places tied to specific genres such as romantasy (romantic fantasy), a growing niche that blends fantasy landscapes with romantic themes.

Why These Trends Matter: The Shift Towards Meaningful Travel

These emerging trends reflect a broader shift toward slower, more intentional travel. Karan Agarwal, director of global travel company Cox & Kings, explains that travelers in 2026 are seeking to “unplug and explore more meaningful experiences,” whether by relaxing with a book, rejuvenating through beauty treatments, or sourcing authentic food products from local markets. People are no longer just vacationing; they’re curating their experiences to reflect personal tastes, passions, and desires for self‑improvement.

This movement reflects how travel is evolving from simply being about exploration to being about self-expression, wellness, and learning. According to Santosh Kumar, Booking.com’s regional manager for South Asia, travel in 2026 will be all about experience‑based journeys, “using trips to test relationships, connect with loved ones, and step into fantasy worlds.”

The Road Ahead: New Ways to Travel, New Ways to Experience the World

In 2026, travel will continue to be a powerful tool for self-expression. Whether it’s through the rejuvenating powers of a glowcation, the immersive experience of grocery tourism, or the quiet solitude of a bookish retreat, travellers are shifting towards more personalized, meaningful holidays. These new trends highlight how travel is increasingly seen as a form of personal discovery and enrichment. From culinary adventures to wellness retreats, and from indulging in the written word to embracing the social pleasures of community food experiences, the travel landscape is changing rapidly to reflect a deeper connection between self‑care and exploration.

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