Year in Travel trend report 2026: East Asia booms, the generations divide, and travelers adapt to a changing world

2026 at a glance

• East Asia is booming, and the Stans are the new frontier.

• Politics is changing where people travel, not necessarily whether they travel.

• Climate change is reshaping holidays, but not making them greener.

• On overtourism, young people say and older people do.

• AI is shaping up to help travelers get off the beaten path.

How we traveled in 2026: a story of generations

We surveyed 2,576 travelers across the Netherlands, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States to understand what shaped their travel choices in 2026 and what lies ahead in 2027. Across all five countries, one of the clearest dividing lines is age.

Figures in this section combine all five countries, each surveyed with an equal sample of about 515 travelers. Generations: Gen Z (18–29), Millennials (30–45), Gen X (46–61), Baby Boomers (62–80).

Overtourism and climate change: young people say, older people do

On overtourism, the young express the most concern, but older travelers are more likely to act. Almost three-quarters of Gen Z (73%) say they’re likely to choose a destination to avoid overtourism, against 60% of Boomers. Yet only 4% of Gen Z and Millennials actually chose a 2026 destination because it had fewer crowds, half the rate of Gen X and Boomers (8%).

The generations would also make different sacrifices to avoid overtourism. Older travelers would rather change when they go: more than half of Gen X and Boomers (56%) would give up peak-season travel. Younger travelers are more willing to give up comfort, with Gen Z more than twice as likely as Boomers to sacrifice good weather or convenient transport.

“Wanting to avoid crowds but still ending up in them isn’t hypocrisy, whatever your age. It’s how travel currently works,” says Matt Phillips, Head of Editorial. “The busiest places are popular for good reason: they’re well connected, easy to plan, and full of the sights people have dreamed of. Those of us who can travel outside peak season, or explore the quieter corners of the countries we love, can help ease the pressure on the places that need it most.”

Climate change concerns the young most, too. Three-quarters of Gen Z (76%) say it will influence their next holiday, against half of Boomers (50%). Young travelers are also the most likely to adapt, choosing destinations with more reliable weather and booking more flexibly. But despite the general perception, Gen Z isn’t choosing greener travel more than anyone else: lower-impact choices sit at 6–10% in every generation.

Political climate: the young redirect, older travelers withdraw

The political climate has affected younger travelers’ plans the most, but they respond by changing where they go. Over a quarter of Gen Z (27%) and Millennials (25%) are choosing different international destinations, against 14% of Boomers. Older travelers are more likely to say their plans are unaffected (42%), but those who are affected are more likely to stop traveling abroad: 19% of Boomers are avoiding international travel altogether, double the Gen Z figure (9%).

Generational divide: the appetite for more travel

The desire to travel more falls with age, but only up to a point. After about 45, it levels off: Gen X and Boomers are almost identical. More than half of Gen Z (57%) plan to travel more in 2027, and over a third of Millennials (36%) do. Then the figure falls to just 19% for both Gen X and Boomers. The same generational divide appears in plans to spend more in 2027 and in who had an adventure-type experience in 2026.

The under-46s are still changing how they travel. Already, 44% of Gen Z say they travel more often than three years ago, against 18% of Gen X and Boomers. By contrast, almost half of Boomers (48%) say their habits haven’t changed at all.

“Age shapes how we travel, but nationality matters too,” says Matt Phillips. “In the UK, Millennials are almost as keen as Gen Z to travel and spend more next year, while in France, Millennials behave like a generation older.”

Adventure: the young seek challenge, older travelers seek calm

What travelers want from adventure shifts with age. Challenging yourself motivates 29% of Gen Z but only 10% of Boomers, while mental wellbeing also matters more to the young. The desire to escape crowded destinations moves the other way, rising from 4% of Gen Z to 19% of Boomers.

The barriers shift from time to the body. Lack of time holds back 47% of Gen Z but only 16% of Boomers, while physical limitations rise from 7% to 22%. Younger travelers also lack know-how, citing difficulty planning a trip more than three times as often as Boomers, and lack of confidence around 60% more often.

AI and social media: a new route to quieter places?

AI might become a tool against overtourism. Two-thirds of Gen Z (67%) and Millennials (65%) say they’re likely to use it to find lesser-known destinations. AI interest holds steady among the under-46s, then falls away with every generation after, to 46% of Gen X and 27% of Boomers.

Social media shows a similar divide, but on sharing rather than searching. The portion who doesn’t share travel content at all rises from 10% of Gen Z to 60% of Boomers, the largest gap between generations in the whole survey.

What doesn’t change with age: solo travel, spontaneity, and rail

Some habits are shared across every generation, and they challenge common assumptions. Solo travel isn’t a youth trend: 14–17% of every generation mainly travel alone. Spontaneous travel appeals to all ages, with 24–27% of every generation traveling without a fixed itinerary. Nature (37–40%) and culture (21–24%) are just as important in choosing a destination at every age. And committed rail fans exist in every generation: 16–22% would definitely choose the train over flying or driving.

Where rail does split by age is in what it would take to switch. Young travelers’ interest depends on price, with 31% of Gen Z saying they’d choose the train “if it was cheaper”, against just 11% of Boomers. Older travelers are more likely to rule it out altogether: rejection of rail in favor of driving or flying rises from 10% of Gen Z to 33% of Boomers.

“For older travelers, saying no to rail usually isn’t about the ticket price,” says Matt Phillips. “Few of them would switch even if it were cheaper. It’s more likely about ease: getting luggage between connections, managing transfers, or simply sticking with a car or flight they know works for them.”

Hanson Lu / Unsplash

Global travel trends: East Asia gains, the USA and Southeast Asia retreat, while Europe holds firm

All percentages in the section below reflect the relative year-on-year change in each destination’s share of tracked trips by all Polarsteps travelers (September 21, 2025 to September 20, 2026). Using share rather than raw numbers adjusts for Polarsteps’ rapid growth.

While European favorites France, Spain, Italy, and Germany held steady at the top of the rankings in 2026, the big shifts happened further afield.

Three stories stand out. East Asia (+10.1%) was the most compelling growth story at meaningful scale, with Hong Kong (+16.9%), China (+15.9%), and Japan (+7.0%) all climbing. Southeast Asia (−14.4%) and the Middle East (−18.7%) were the biggest regional losers, with broad declines rather than in one isolated country. Among individual countries, the most notable slide was the United States (−20.4%).

Notable movers of 2026

Regions with a change of more than 5% and at least 1% of trips. Central Asia shown for reference (small base).

David Peters / Unsplash

Asia: East Asia and the Stans continue their rise; the Middle East and Southeast Asia fall

Asia was the continent of extremes in 2026. It was home to the world’s two fastest-growing subregions, Central Asia and East Asia, and to the two steepest decliners, the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

Hong Kong (+16.9%) climbed ten places to #42, China (+15.9%) rose six places to #22, and Japan (+7.0%) moved up four places to #15. China gained ground in every one of our five key source markets.

For the second year in a row, the Stans of Central Asia saw the greatest concentration of relative growth on the planet. Kyrgyzstan (+32.2%) led the way, followed by Kazakhstan (+19.2%), Uzbekistan (+18.2%) and Tajikistan (+16.5%). The region remains small in scale, but its growth is still remarkable.

The Middle East saw the sharpest reversal. Qatar (−33.9%) fell 14 places and the UAE (−29.1%) dropped eight. Both had long thrived as stopover hubs on routes to Asia and Oceania, and both were hit hard by the conflict in the region.

Southeast Asia also lost ground across the board. Cambodia (−30.5%), Laos (−21.6%), Indonesia (−18.6%), and Singapore (−12.6%) all declined, while Vietnam (−5.5%) held up best. Thailand (–11.9%) slipped one place to #10 but remains the only Asian country in the global top 10.

“Access and adventure defined travel in Asia this year,” says Matt Phillips. “China and much of Central Asia are easier to explore, thanks to visa-free access for many Europeans and more direct flights. The Stans in particular are drawing travelers looking for the next frontier. Southeast Asia, where many journeys connect through the Gulf, was far more exposed to disruption.”

Trevor Hayes / Unsplash

The Americas: the USA’s slump deepens

For the second year running, the United States lost ground. Its share of trips fell by 20.4%, and it dropped from #8 to #9 in the global rankings. The decline was sharpest among Dutch (−26.0%) and German (−22.0%) travelers. French (−14.6%) and British (−6.4%) travelers pulled back less.

North America lost 13.2% of its share overall, but Canada (+5.0%) bucked the trend, climbing four places to #21. Every other subregion of the Americas also slipped: South America (−11.9%), Central America (−8.7%), and the Caribbean (−4.0%).

Europe: holds its ground, but the Balkans lose their shine

Europe remained remarkably resilient. Its three biggest subregions — Central Europe, Western Europe, and Southern Europe — were essentially flat.

The continent’s biggest names grew stronger. Germany (+2.5%), Austria (+1.9%), and Italy (+1.8%) all increased their share of trips, and Portugal climbed two places into the global top 10. Small but mighty Luxembourg (+5.7%) was Europe’s strongest riser among countries with a meaningful share, climbing three places to #27.

The Balkans, one of last year’s rising regions, cooled off. Southeastern Europe lost 6.6% of its share, with Croatia (−10.9%) the main contributor. The Netherlands (−4.1%) also slipped slightly, while Northern Europe (−1.8%) edged down.

Mo Gabrail / Unsplash

Africa: North Africa leads the way

North Africa was Africa’s strongest growth area for the second year running, growing its share by 5.4%. Egypt (+9.7%) climbed six places to #45 and Morocco (+5.5%) three places to #23. Morocco remains Africa’s most visited country, followed by South Africa and Egypt. Southern Africa edged up slightly, while West Africa and East Africa were broadly stable.

Oceania: long-haul loses ground

Oceania followed the long-haul trend downwards, with Australia and New Zealand (−7.3%) and the Pacific Islands (−5.2%) both losing share. British travelers were the exception, with New Zealand climbing two places in the UK market.

Pedro Lastra / Unsplash

British travelers in 2026

British travelers bucked several global trends in 2026: they drove the biggest East Asian surge of any market, held steady on North America, and continued heading for New Zealand and the Caribbean as Southeast Asia lost ground.

Top 10 countries visited by British travelers

2025 ranking in brackets

1. France (1)

2. Spain (2)

3. Italy (3)

4. Germany (5)

5. Thailand (4)

6. Australia (7)

7. United States (6)

8. Netherlands (9)

9. Vietnam (8)

10. Portugal (10)

France, Spain, and Italy hold the top three places. Germany (+4.4%) overtook Thailand for fourth, and Australia moved past the United States into sixth. Four of the British top 10 are long-haul destinations, matching France for the most of any European market surveyed.

Biggest gains: China, Canada, and New Zealand

China (+27.2%) was the biggest riser among British travelers, climbing eight places to #20, followed by Hong Kong (+21.9%), which jumped 12 places to #33. Canada (+16.4%) rose six places to #21, Japan (+11.3%) three places to #17, and New Zealand (+9.2%) two places to #15. South Africa (+14.4%) and South Korea (+12.0%) also gained ground, as did Italy (+4.8%) and Germany (+4.4%) closer to home.

Biggest declines: Cambodia, the Philippines, and the UAE

Cambodia (−22.9%) fell five places to #24, the Philippines (−22.6%) 11 places to #46 and Indonesia (−21.6%) five places to #19, while Laos (−16.9%), Thailand (−12.5%) and Vietnam (−8.1%) also lost ground. In the Middle East, the UAE (−22.4%) and Qatar (−22.3%) both fell sharply. The United States dipped only slightly (−6.4%), the smallest pullback of any European market.

Regional shifts: East Asia, the Caribbean, and Africa gain as Southeast Asia retreats

British travelers drove the biggest East Asian surge of any market (+17.1%). The Caribbean, Southern Africa and East Africa also gained ground, and the UK was the only market where Australia and New Zealand grew, by a modest 3.4%. Central Asia (+35.1%) recorded the UK's fastest regional growth, and the strongest Central Asian growth of any market surveyed, albeit from a small base.

Southeast Asia’s share fell 13%, though it still makes up a bigger share of UK trips than of any other market’s. The Middle East and Central America also weakened, while North America and Europe stayed stable.

Notable movers of 2026: British travelers

Regions with a change of more than 5% and at least 1% of trips. Central Asia shown for reference (small base).

What British travelers told us

To understand the motivations behind these trends, we surveyed more than 500 British travelers, alongside travelers from the United States, the Netherlands, France and Germany. The UK stands out as the strongest growth market of the five, a leader in rail travel, and a country split sharply at age 45.

Appetite for more travel: Britons are unmatched

British travelers have the strongest growth outlook of our five markets. Four in ten (40%) plan to travel more in 2027, against just 7% who plan to travel less or not at all: a gap of 33 percentage points, around five times the 6-point gap in France (24% vs 18%). When it comes to spending more in 2027, the British are the most bullish, with 43% planning to spend more and only 9% planning to spend less (a 34-point gap). This contrasts starkly with France, where the gap is just 8 points.

“British travelers don’t just have the strongest appetite to travel and spend more in 2027 of any market we surveyed, they’re also setting the pace on where travelers go next,” says Matt Phillips, Head of Editorial at Polarsteps. “No other market we track saw trips to East Asia grow faster, and the same goes for the Stans of Central Asia. When somewhere catches on, Brits are out in front.”

Two Britains: under and over 45

The age-45 divide runs through much of the British data. Unlike in France, where Millennials plan like a generation older, British Millennials plan like Gen Z: 51% intend to travel more in 2027, the highest of any Millennial group in the survey. Attitudes then drop sharply for Gen X and Boomers.

AI shows the sharpest break of all. Seven in ten British Gen Z and Millennials (70%) are likely to use AI to find lesser-known destinations, but that halves to 35% among Gen X, the steepest drop of any market. In Germany, by contrast, 58% of Gen X are still open to AI.

The same split appears elsewhere. Half of British Gen Z (50%) and 45% of Millennials expect to share more travel content in 2027, against just 14% of Gen X and 3% of Boomers. Only 9% of Gen Z don’t share travel content on social media at all, compared with 62% of Boomers.

Political climate: the young adjust, few retreat

Half of British travelers (50%) say today’s political climate has changed their international travel. Most are choosing different destinations (22%) or traveling abroad less often (16%), while only 8% are avoiding it altogether, a third of the American rate (25%).

And it’s the young who are most affected: 63% of Gen Z have adjusted their plans, against 36% of Boomers, the same pattern seen in the US.

“When the world feels uncertain, British travelers change the destination, not the decision to travel,” says Matt Phillips.

Climate change: impacting younger travelers most

More than half of British travelers (54%) say climate change will influence their next holiday, but that hides a clear age gap: 78% of Gen Z say it will, against just 27% of Boomers. Younger travelers are also the most likely to change their plans because of it: 40% of Gen Z will travel at a different time of year (25% overall), and 31% of Millennials will look for destinations with more reliable conditions (17% overall). Lower-impact choices, such as greener accommodation (6%) or a different mode of transport (9%), remain niche.

“Reaction to climate change splits Brits by age more than in any other market we surveyed,” says Matt Phillips. “But younger travelers aren’t giving up on travel. They’re adapting it, changing when they go, and choosing places where conditions are more reliable.”

Overtourism: the global pattern, only sharper

British travelers follow the global “young people say, older people do” pattern, but more sharply. Seven in ten (70%) say they’re likely to choose a destination specifically to avoid overtourism, rising to 82% of Gen Z. Yet only 6% of British travelers cited fewer crowds as a reason for choosing their 2026 destination, falling to just 1% among Gen Z. Action rises with age instead, reaching 13% of British Boomers, against 8% of Boomers across all five countries. British Boomers are the most likely of any group surveyed to use adventure travel to escape crowded destinations (26%, against 4% of British Gen Z).

Adventure: driven by novelty, held back by cost

British interest in adventure is the highest of the five markets: 62% of British adventure travelers are more interested than three years ago, 19 points above the Netherlands, rising to around 80% of the under-46s. In 2026, 72% had an adventure-type experience, led by traveling without a fixed itinerary (29%), visiting somewhere remote in nature (24%), and adventure sports (14%, rising to 27% of Gen Z).

Experiencing something new matters far more to British adventure travelers (40%) than to France ones (26%), and disconnecting far less (35%, against France’s 58%). Safety is a bigger worry than elsewhere in Europe (24% as a barrier, rising to 34% of Gen Z). Cost is the main barrier (58%), and the UK has the widest gender gap on cost of any market: 69% of women cite it, against 47% of men.

“For many Europeans, adventure is about escape. For Brits, it’s about discovery,” says Matt Phillips. “That curiosity is perhaps why British travelers are the most eager for adventure of any market we surveyed.”

Rail: a love of trains

The UK is the strongest rail market of the five. Some 14% of British travelers took a rail trip in 2026 — such as an overnight, scenic or multi-destination train journey — more than double the Dutch and American rates (6%). More than six in ten (62%) would choose a train instead of flying or driving for a multi-destination trip, and a quarter (24%) say they would definitely choose rail. Only 6% say definitely not, against 18% in the Netherlands. Gen X is the most committed (28% definitely), while Gen Z interest depends more on price (32% “if it was cheaper”). A solo train journey appeals to 29% of British travelers, double the Dutch level, and similarly across every age group.

Sam Ferrara / Unsplash

American travelers in 2026

American travelers retreated from much of the world in 2026, with familiar European destinations holding up best.

Top 10 countries visited by American travelers

2025 ranking in brackets

1. France (1)

2. Italy (3)

3. United Kingdom (2)

4. Spain (4)

5. Canada (5)

6. Germany (6)

7. Netherlands (7)

8. Mexico (8)

9. Japan (9)

10. Portugal (10)

The American top 10 is unchanged except at the top, where Italy (+6.6%) overtook the United Kingdom to become the second most visited country. France remains first despite losing share.

Biggest gains: Hong Kong, China, Croatia, and Montenegro

Hong Kong (+17.5%) was the biggest riser among larger destinations for American travelers, climbing ten places to #36, and China (+11.6%) jumped 12 places to #25. In Europe, Croatia (+6.6%) climbed five places to #20, bucking its decline in other markets, and Montenegro (+20.6%) jumped nine places to #48. Italy (+6.6%), Canada (+2.3%), and Ireland (+2.3%, up three places to #12) also grew.

Biggest declines: Qatar, the UAE, and Morocco

The Middle East suffered its steepest decline among American travelers (−26.6%), more than in any other market. Qatar (−46.4%) fell 17 places and the UAE (−44.2%) 12 places, while Morocco (−28.9%) and Cambodia (−27.8%) also fell sharply. Closer to home, Colombia (−28.1%), Costa Rica (−18.5%), Argentina (−18.0%), and Mexico (−14.2%) all lost ground, as did Türkiye (−15.4%), Australia (−13.4%), and Thailand (−11.9%).

Despite dominating the top 10, some of Europe’s classics lost share: Germany (−7.9%), the Netherlands (−5.9%), and France (−4.8%). Japan broke the pattern seen in Europe, where it grew in every market, by losing 6.6% among Americans.

Regional shifts: a broad global retreat

Eighteen of 22 world regions lost share among American travelers. Only Central Asia (+19.0%), the Balkans (+3.2%), East Asia (+0.6%) and North America (+0.5%), driven by Canada, grew. The US was the only market where the Balkans grew, thanks to Croatia and Montenegro, and East Asia stayed flat because Japan’s decline offset the rise of China and Hong Kong.

The Middle East (−26.6%) fell further than in any other market, while North Africa, South Asia, and South America also dropped sharply. Southern Europe was remarkably resilient thanks to Italy, but Western Europe and Central Europe lost ground.

Notable movers of 2026: American travelers

Regions with a change of more than 5% and at least 1% of trips. Central Asia shown for reference (small base).

What American travelers told us

To understand the motivations behind these trends, we surveyed more than 500 American travelers, alongside travelers from the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, France and Germany. The US stands out for its strong appetite for more travel, despite a retreat from international destinations, with travel centered on friends and family and the open road.

Political climate: a retreat from international travel

This is the standout finding for the US. A quarter of American travelers (25%) are avoiding international travel altogether because of the current political climate, three times the British and Dutch rate (8%). Among those affected, it’s the single most common response, ahead of choosing different destinations (12%, half the French rate) or traveling abroad less often (11%). Only 38% say their plans are unaffected.

The effect rises sharply with age. Four in ten American Boomers (41%) are avoiding international travel, five times the British figure (8%), compared with 16% of American Gen Z. Younger Americans are more likely to redirect: a quarter of Gen Z are choosing different international destinations instead.

“Americans who do go abroad right now are choosing what feels familiar and safe,” says Matt Phillips, Head of Editorial at Polarsteps. “Safety is a bigger concern for American travelers than for any other market we surveyed. France is still their favourite, but Italy is closing in, and that Mediterranean pull even seems to be spreading across the Adriatic, to Croatia and Montenegro, while almost everywhere further afield lost ground.”

Eagerness to travel: age matters less in the US

Despite the retreat from international travel, Americans remain among the most eager to travel. Almost four in ten (39%) plan to travel more in 2027, against 13% who plan to travel less or not at all, a gap of 26 percentage points. On spending, 42% plan to spend more against 13% who plan to spend less, a gap of 29 points. Both gaps are second only to the UK, and far ahead of France (6 and 8 points, respectively).

And that appetite fades far less with age than elsewhere. A third of American Gen X (33%) and over a quarter of Boomers (28%) plan to travel more in 2027, the highest of any market and around double the average for the other four markets (16% and 17%). Adventure holds up too: 80% of American Gen X and 77% of Boomers had an adventure-type experience in 2026, against 61% and 59% in the other four markets.

The US also has the widest gender gaps on money and technology. American men are much more likely than women to plan to spend more on travel (49% vs 35%) and to use AI (58% vs 45%).

Overtourism: a big concern, but little action

Seven in ten Americans (69%) say they’re likely to choose a destination specifically to avoid overtourism, led by Millennials (80%). Giving up peak-season travel is the most popular trade-off (48%), and Gen Z is the most willing to give up good weather (39%). Yet only 4% of American travelers cited fewer crowds as a reason for choosing their 2026 destination, the lowest of our five markets.

Unlike in the UK, older Americans don’t act on it more. Concern falls from 80% of Millennials to 57% of Boomers, but action stays flat at 3–4% in every generation.

Climate change: younger travelers are changing their plans most

Six in ten American travelers (61%) say climate change will influence their next holiday, rising to 79% of Gen Z but falling to 45% of Boomers. Gen Z is also the most likely to change plans because of it, choosing destinations with more reliable conditions (36%, against 22% overall) and booking more flexible options to avoid cancellations (31%, against 18%). Lower-impact choices, such as greener accommodation, remain niche (8%).

“Young Americans are rewriting how to plan around climate change,” says Matt Phillips. “They’re choosing destinations for reliable conditions and booking flexibly. For them, climate is now part of the itinerary.”

People focused: travel centered on friends, family, and the road

American travel is people-centered. Almost half (47%) made a trip to see friends or family in 2026, more than double the Dutch rate (18%) and nearly level with city breaks (49%) and beach holidays (48%). Traveling for friends and family rises to 63% among Boomers. Across all ages, it’s also the second-biggest factor in choosing a destination (36%).

Unsurprisingly, road trips are popular, with a quarter of Americans (25%) taking one in 2026, more than double the rate in any other market we surveyed (NL 12%, UK 10%, DE 9%) and four times the French rate (6%). Among Gen Z the gap is even wider: 32% of young Americans took a road trip, against just 4% of British Gen Z. And 36% of Americans would consider a solo road trip in 2027, almost double the British figure (19%) and three times the French (12%).

Adventure: the most common, and the most spontaneous

Eight in ten American travelers (81%) had an adventure-type experience in 2026, the highest of any market. But American adventure is informal: the most common experience by far was traveling without a fixed itinerary (40%, rising to 48% of Gen X), more than double the Dutch rate.

Among those who had an adventure-type experience in 2026, 52% are more interested in adventure than three years ago, rising to 72% of Gen Z, while just 1% of Gen Z are less interested. Disconnecting (44%) and experiencing something new (39%) are the top motivations, and spending meaningful time with others motivates 30% of Americans, against 17% of Germans. Americans are the least likely of our five markets to choose a destination for its nature (25%, half the German level).

Rail travel: mind the gap

Americans are as keen on rail as the British. A quarter (25%) would definitely choose a train for a multi-destination trip instead of flying or driving, the highest of any market, and only 4% say they definitely wouldn’t. American Gen X are the most committed rail fans of any age group in the survey (34% say definitely). Yet only 6% took a rail trip in 2026, against 14% of British travelers. In the US, availability and convenience, not appetite, seem to be holding rail back.

About Polarsteps

Recognized as one of Europe’s hottest scale-ups, Polarsteps is the market-leading travel app that helps over 23 million travelers worldwide to plan, track, and relive their adventures in a beautiful and seamless way. Using pioneering technology and design, the all-in-one app builds itineraries, maps travelers’ paths across the globe in real time, and provides a new way to share travel experiences. Headquartered in Amsterdam and powered by an international team of 100+ passionate travelers, we’re becoming the essential tool for modern-day explorers — before, during, and after their trips.

Our data

Traveler research for Polarsteps’ Year in Travel 2026 was conducted in September 2026 by Dynata, one of the world’s largest first-party data and insights platforms. A sample of 2,576 adults aged 18 to 80, all of whom had taken at least one leisure trip in 2026, were surveyed evenly across five markets: the US, UK, France, Germany and the Netherlands. Generations are defined as Gen Z (18 to 29), Millennials (30 to 45), Gen X (46 to 61) and Boomers (62 to 80).

Destination trends are based on anonymized, aggregated data from a sample of 3 million trips tracked in the Polarsteps app, comparing the share of tracked trips that included each destination in the twelve months to 20 September 2026 with the same period a year earlier.