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Kylie Knott

Fans of “romantasy”, a literary genre that blends romance and fantasy, find happiness in mythical storybook worlds in which characters do things like slay dragons and hang out in castles, all while finding love at the same time.
Now some are taking their passion for the genre into the real world by embracing “romantasy” travel, holidaying to destinations inspired by settings in their favourite novels such as snow-capped mountains, lush forests and ancient castles.
This is one of the global trends forecast for 2026 by digital travel platform Booking.com in its “Travel Predictions 2026” survey.
Conducted among a sample of adults who planned to travel for business or leisure in the next 12-24 months, it polled 29,733 respondents across 33 countries and territories, including 1,004 from Hong Kong.
“Romantasy” travel has struck a chord in Hong Kong, with 89 per cent of those surveyed from the city expressing interest in visiting destinations inspired by romantic or fantasy themes.
More than three-quarters (76 per cent) were also open to joining role-play retreats based on their favourite games, books or films, surpassing the global average of 53 per cent.

The trend aligns with the survey’s overall message: people do not want cookie-cutter itineraries, preferring personalised, tech-supported trips that deliver meaningful connections.
“Travel in 2026 is becoming a reflection of who people truly are, with journeys built around interests that perhaps in the past felt too niche or bold to explore,” said James Waters, Booking.com’s chief business officer, in a press statement.
The research also found a growing trend for road trips as travellers embrace the “meet-up” culture, while journeys guided by fate were also on the rise, with 72 per cent of Hongkongers saying they would change or cancel their holiday if a spiritual adviser suggested it.
While wellness tourism is not a new trend, the survey found it was on track for a major boost in 2026, as travellers seek out tailor-made treatments specifically suited to their skin type.
Another growing trend involves holidays offering peaceful retreats where people can connect with nature. A significant percentage of Hong Kong respondents said they would even seek out hotels that allowed them to forage for their meals.
“Travellers seek stress-free stays and relationships, stepping into fantasy worlds and looking at new ways to experience road trips and vacation rentals with enhanced technology features,” Waters said.
Here are the top 10 travel trends gleaned from the survey’s Hong Kong respondents.
10. Quiet please

Hong Kong is a noisy city, so it makes sense that 36 per cent of respondents said they would holiday specifically to feel closer to nature, while 32 per cent would seek out restorative rituals for the mind and body.
The survey also found that 88 per cent of Hong Kong travellers would stay at hotels where they could forage in the wild for their meals.
9. Mark a milestone
Forget holidays that celebrate a wedding or anniversary – small achievements are resonating with Hong Kong travellers, who said they would book a break simply because they had worked hard and deserved it (70 per cent), were celebrating a new job or promotion (27 per cent), were marking milestones like sobriety or fitness transformations (20 per cent) or were finding closure after a break-up (13 per cent).
8. Written in the stars
Moon phases, astrology and mystical practices are becoming a new compass to guide travel decisions, with 72 per cent of Hongkongers saying they would change or cancel their holidays if a spiritual adviser suggested it, well above the global average (47 per cent).
7. Turbulence test

Hong Kong travellers also plan to test their relationships – romantic, platonic and professional – on holiday, with 73 per cent open to the idea of visiting a remote location to see how their companion handles ambiguity and discomfort.
Gen Z travellers lead the shift, with 86 per cent open to customised itineraries designed to simulate real-life dynamics and test whether a connection deepens or fades.
6. Tasty souvenirs
Kitchenware and pantry items ranked high on the shopping list, with 77 per cent of Hong Kong travellers saying they would consider buying items such as hand-painted spice jars or decorative tins of artisan olive oil, while 66 per cent were open to travelling to a destination that is known for its culinary crafts or kitchenware.
5. A trip down memory lane
Nostalgic travel rated highly, with 77 per cent of Hong Kong travellers open to recreating a memory or photo by using technology to identify the exact location where it was taken and then travelling there.
4. Glow-cations

A holiday in which pampering ranked high resonated with 86 per cent of Hong Kong travellers, who said they were open to booking a “glow-cation” featuring skin-specific treatments tailored to their personal skincare needs.
3. Humanoid holiday homes
Hi-tech holiday homes enhanced by humanoid helpers were of particular interest to Hong Kong travellers, with 88 per cent of respondents open to booking an automation-enhanced home, including having a cleaning bot to handle mess and a robotic chef to prepare dinner.
2. Road trip rerouted
The classic road trip is moving beyond family and friend convoys to embrace spontaneity and discovery, with 88 per cent of Hong Kong travellers open to carpooling on holiday.
Travellers valued the spontaneity and flexibility of road trips (82 per cent), the opportunity to meet new people (77 per cent) and the ability to share driving responsibilities (75 per cent).
Surprisingly, Boomers in Hong Kong (87 per cent) were more open to using self-driving vehicles or AI to shape their routes than Gen Z (69 per cent).
1. Romantasy retreats

A significant 85 per cent of Hong Kong travellers were open to leveraging AI-powered suggestions that matched fantasy aesthetics, recommended secluded “storybook” stays, or pinpointed real-world filming locations.


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Asia travel

Top 10 travel trends for Hongkongers in 2026, from road trips to ‘romantasy’

Road trips that embrace spontaneity and discovery will be popular among Hongkongers in 2026, according to a travel survey by Booking.com. Photo: Sinclair Communications

“Romantasy retreats” appealed to 89 per cent of Hongkongers in the travel survey. Photo: Booking.com

In the Booking.com survey, 88 per cent of Hong Kong travellers said they would stay at hotels where they could forage for their meals in the wild. Photo: Sinclair Communications

Many travellers plan to use time away to test the strength of their relationships: romantic, platonic or even professional. Photo: Sinclair Communications

Hongkongers love pampering holidays: 86 per cent of survey respondents were open to booking a “glow-cation”. Photo: Booking.com

Many Hongkongers want to stay in places that match locations from stories or fantasy films. Photo: Booking.com

Diners at new themed Beijing restaurant ‘time travel’ to ancient China

Artists in traditional Chinese clothing perform as customers enjoy their meals at Yan Wai Yan, a new theatrical restaurant in Beijing, China. Photo: AFP

Diners dressed in traditional Chinese clothes eat at Yan Wai Yan in Beijing. Photo: AFP

A woman in traditional Chinese clothing arrives for a meal at Yan Wai Yan. Photo: AFP

The interior of Yan Wai Yan. Photo: AFP

‘Shoulder season’ travel on the rise as tourists turn to off-peak holidays

Tourists visit Greece’s Acropolis during a heatwave in Athens on July 25, 2025. More travellers are avoiding visiting places in Europe in summer that suffer from extreme weather, instead opting to travel during the “shoulder season”. Photo: AP

Tourists visit the village of Molyvos on Lesbos island, Greece. Temperatures in Greece can soar over 40 degrees Centigrade during summer, which more travellers are trying to avoid. Photo: Reuters

More travellers are visiting Greece’s Acropolis in the off-season because of the cooler weather. Photo: AFP

The marina in Cyprus’ southeastern coastal town of Ayia Napa. German travel giant Tui is trying to appeal to runners by sponsoring marathons in Cyprus and other destinations during the off-season. Photo: AFP

How have travel trends changed since Covid? 7 experts open up on tourism in 2025

Tourists are looking for more meaningful experiences, says Sasha Andrews from Exodus Adventure Travels. Photo: Shutterstock

A traveller looks out over the lush palm trees and clear waters of the Maasin River on the island of Siargao, Philippines. Photo: Shutterstock

The travel industry is back to pre-pandemic levels according to a World Economic Forum report. Photo: TNS

A traveller visits the Tongariro Alpine Crossing track on New Zealand’s North Island. Tourists are looking for more meaningful experiences since Covid, says Sasha Andrews from Exodus Adventure Travels. Photo: Shutterstock

A women sits in an airport lounge. There has been a big increase in passenger demand for premium services such as airport lounge access, says Julian Kheel from Points Path. Photo: Shutterstock

Remote and hybrid work have changed how some people approach travel. Photo: Shutterstock

Pre-pandemic overcrowding in Venice in 2018. Some of the lessons learned during the pandemic, including the need to address overtourism, are being forgotten, says Sasha Andrews from Exodus Adventure Travels. Photo: Shutterstock

Seoul to launch 10 new day tours highlighting its culture, food, K-pop and K-dramas

A young female solo traveller eats Korean street food in Seoul. The city was named the world’s No 1 destination for solo travellers in January by Tripadvisor, the world’s largest travel platform. Photo: Getty Images

K-pop girl group Hearts2Hearts perform in Seoul on February 24, 2025. Many travellers visit Seoul to watch K-pop concerts. Photo: AP

Representatives from 10 selected tour operators, along with officials from the Seoul Metropolitan Government and Seoul Tourism Organisation, pose during the launch ceremony of the Seoul Outstanding Tourism Product Alliance at Seoul Tourism Plaza in Jongno district, Seoul, on March 12, 2025. Photo: Seoul Metropolitan Government

Seoul’s Bukchon Hanok Village is a popular tourist attraction. Photo: Shutterstock

A traveller eats typical Korean street food in Seoul. Photo: Shutterstock

Lifestyle

Travel & Leisure

Booking.com’s ‘Travel Predictions 2026’ survey also finds Hongkongers are seeking nature, thinking of their skin and open to robot help


Booking.com’s ‘Travel Predictions 2026’ survey also finds Hongkongers are seeking nature, thinking of their skin and open to robot help.


Top 10 travel trends for Hongkongers in 2026, from road trips to ‘romantasy’

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Booking.com’s ‘Travel Predictions 2026’ survey also finds Hongkongers are seeking nature, thinking of their skin and open to robot help

Booking.com’s ‘Travel Predictions 2026’ survey also finds Hongkongers are seeking nature, thinking of their skin and open to robot help