"Pawprint Economy" and "Travel Mixology" Redefine 2026 Travel Trends

30 January 2026 4:18pm

A major report from Amadeus and Globetrender released today highlights two breakout trends for 2026: the "Pawprint Economy" and "Travel Mixology."

With 56% of people globally now owning pets, the "Pawprint Economy" is seeing a massive surge in luxury pet travel. Today, carriers like SkyePets are rolling out long-haul, in-cabin pet flights with tickets starting at $12,900, while hotel chains like AKA have launched exclusive "Canine Clubs" to cater to first-time pet owners who refuse to leave their companions behind.

Simultaneously, "Travel Mixology" has emerged as the dominant planning philosophy for 2026. This hybrid approach sees travelers blending AI-powered advice from LLMs with lived experiences from platforms like Reddit and YouTube. Tools like Expedia’s Trip Matching now allow users to instantly decode Instagram reels into full itineraries, enabling a level of "custom recipe" trip planning that was previously impossible. This trend is a direct response to "overtourism," as travelers use tech to find "unexpected local haunts" and avoid crowds.

The report also points to the rise of "Pop Culting," where mega-hits like Netflix's K-Pop Demon Hunters have driven a 30% surge in flight bookings to Seoul. Destinations are increasingly "mirroring" fictional scenes, offering sing-along bus tours and character-inspired meals to capture the 300 million-strong fanbases of global streaming hits. This "screen-to-street" pipeline is becoming a primary driver of tourism for cities that successfully align their local culture with pop-culture moments.

For the 2026 traveler, these trends signal a shift toward extreme personalization and hyper-niche interests. Whether it is a transpacific flight with a pet or a "mixology" trip designed by an AI bot, the "standardized" vacation is dead. As technology makes "marathon trips feel like sprints," the focus for 2026 is on the "depth of the connection"—whether that connection is with a pet, a favorite TV show, or a unique, AI-discovered hidden gem.