Horizons 2026: Planning Trends

Traveller confidence in using AI for planning and booking is rising. 54% feel confident about using AI in 2026, up from 47% last year. When asked about specific use cases:

38% would use AI for destination research
33% for itinerary creation
32% for comparing flights or hotels
32% for destination inspiration

Confidence is especially strong among younger demographics, with 70% of Gen Z and 66% of Millennials feeling confident using AI for travel planning.

By market, the highest confidence levels are seen in India (86%), Brazil (81%), UAE (81%), Saudi Arabia (80%), and Singapore (63%). In contrast, adoption remains lower in Japan (22%), France (19%) and Australia (17%).

Trust, however, remains a critical factor. Despite rising adoption, travellers’ willingness to use AI still depends heavily on trust. The key concerns cited include the accuracy of information, the overwhelming volume of options, and whether recommendations are relevant and meaningful.

“We’re witnessing a seismic transformation: AI is changing the entire travel journey, from the moment you get inspired to deciding where you want to go, to customer service during the trip itself.

This year, we see that travellers are getting more confident in using AI to plan and book their travel, rising from 47% in 2024 to 54% in 2025 – and I expect this trajectory to slowly build in the year ahead.

At the same time, the data also shows us there are still many aspects which travellers are worried about when using AI. Almost half of our global respondents (49%) worry about the accuracy of information from AI tools and almost a quarter (24%) say there are too many choices and not enough meaningful options (22%) for their trip.

We know that travellers need accurate, up-to-date information, pricing and ways of comparing options when they move to the final booking decision. Once there, they’ll use a brand they trust to give them these elements for their perfect trip.”

Piero Sierra
Chief AI Officer, Skyscanner

Horizons

2025-2026 Spending, Planning and Destination Trends

2026 Spending Trends

How travellers are planning and budgeting compared to 2025.

Destination choice and tourism dispersion

Travellers are changing how – and where – they’re going.

Top trending destinations

The most popular and fastest trending hotspots for each region.

Beyond escape

The seven biggest traveller trends we’ve identified for 2026.

Booking windows: Lead times remain stable

Factors influencing destination choice

Sources of travel inspiration

AI adoption is growing, particularly among younger travellers