Travel Insights 2026: Data, Rankings & Industry News for Travelers

Editor’s quick picks

A handful of editor-chosen articles to start with — the ones we keep sending people to.

Airports & airlinesUK's Worst Train Operators for 2026Locals Insider NewsroomHotels & ownershipWho Owns the Hotel You're Sleeping InOpinion — transparency in hospitalityCredit cards & moneyBest U.S. Travel Credit CardsOur picks — and whyRanked studiesAmerica's Worst-Dressed Flyers2026 Airport Style StudyAir travel dataRising Costs & TSA Wait Times2026 air travel reportHow Americans are changing travel in 2026Where to nextLesser-Known European Islands65 islands worth exploringAs overtourism reshapes Ibiza, Mallorca and the Canaries

From our writers

Locals InsiderLocals Insider’s editorial team, led by founders Alex and Martin

“Travelers deserve to know who owns the hotel they're sleeping in. The same Marriott key card can let you into a property owned by a sovereign wealth fund, a controversial private equity firm, or a small family business — and the experience is genuinely different in each. We're starting to publish the ownership behind the brand.”

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Alex CopenguyFounder of Localsinsider.com

“AstroCartography sounds like the woo-est thing in this section, and that's exactly why I wanted to try it. The map shows where each planet was rising, setting or culminating at the moment you were born — and how those lines cross continents. Whether you believe it or not, it's a surprisingly useful prompt for thinking about where you actually want to be.”

Read the story

From the 2026 lists

The LocalsInsider team follows the data too. Here are the trends, regulations and 2026 indexes appearing across Condé Nast Traveler, Tripadvisor, eDreams ODIGEO, American Express Travel and National Geographic — paired with our coverage where we have it.

Off the beaten path

Two of our most-read editorial deep dives in this category.

Browse the archive

Stay in the know with our Travel News and Insights section. We cover everything from the latest travel trends and insider tips to destination guides and industry news, so you’re always up-to-date on what’s happening in the travel world.

by Denis Zaykovskiy · Sep 22, 2026Travel Magazines to Read — and What Makes Each One Differentby Locals Insider · Sep 16, 2026The Best Airlines for International Travelby Locals Insider · Sep 15, 2026Seven Best of the Most Scenic River Cruises in Europe (10 Countries, 40+ Cities)by Locals Insider · Sep 15, 2026Six of the Best States to Retire: Backed by the Latest Research & Databy Locals Insider Review Desk · Sep 15, 2026Capital One Lounges Review: A Rival for Amex and Chase?by Alex Copenguy · Aug 14, 2026The Sparkling Wine Made from Pineapples: A Weekend Discovery from French Polynesiaby Locals Insider · Aug 9, 2026Winter Sun in Europe: 5 Sunny Cities to Visitby Marie Borisova · Jul 13, 2026Kiwitaxi Runs Airport Pickups in 100 Countries. Here’s What Travelers Really Want, According to Its CEOby Locals Insider · Jul 12, 2026Travel Scams Are Surging: The States Hit Hardest by Vacation Fraudby Thiago Sanchez · Jul 6, 2026Tripsy Co-Founder Thiago Sanchez: Your Next Trip Shouldn’t Live in a Chat Windowby Martin Eriksen (Danemaq) · Jun 25, 2026The Most Reliable UK Airports for Travel — Rankedby Martin Eriksen (Danemaq) · Jun 9, 2026I Paid for Thailand’s Free Arrival Card. Here’s Why You Should Use the Official TDAC Siteby Locals Insider Review Desk · Jun 1, 2026How Influencers Can Use Stylink.com to Monetize Travel Blog With Affiliateby Locals Insider Review Desk · Jun 1, 2026A Go-To Platform for Travel Journalists and Creators to Monetize Content – TravMedia Reviewby Locals Insider Review Desk · May 20, 2026Geocaching Reviewed: How the World’s Outdoor Treasure Hunt Worksby Locals Insider Review Desk · May 20, 2026GetYourGuide Promo Code LOCALS: How to Book Tours, Tickets & Get 10% Discountby Locals Insider Review Desk · May 15, 2026AirScope Reviewed: A Free Air Quality & Pollen Tracker for Travelers and Allergy Sufferersby Locals Insider · Apr 13, 2026The 20 UK ‘no-go’ beaches for swimming this spring revealed by Locals Insider · Mar 30, 2026Worst UK airports for Easter travel revealedby Martin Eriksen (Danemaq) · Mar 1, 2026The Best Car Rental & Airport Transfer Services & Promo Codes (Reviewed)by Bob Duff · Mar 1, 2026The Best Puzzle Games to Play Offline While Traveling (for iPhone & Android)by Alex Copenguy · Jan 27, 2026Airbnb Rules by City: Where Short-Term Rentals Are Still Legal – and Where They’re Effectively Bannedby Martin Eriksen (Danemaq) · Jan 6, 2026How I Used Perplexity to Plan New Year’s Eve in Bangkokby Denis Zaykovskiy · Dec 17, 2025Europe’s Most Stylish Airbnbsby Locals Insider · Nov 4, 2025Edinburgh named the UK’s best Christmas marketby Locals Insider · Oct 10, 2025Europe’s Most Walkable Cities — Where Every Street Tells a Storyby Locals Insider · Oct 8, 2025The 20 Most Beautiful Lakes to Visit Worldwideby Locals Insider · Oct 7, 2025Best Slow Travel Destinations 2026: Norway, Iceland, Bali & Beyondby Locals Insider · Oct 1, 2025UK’s least reliable train operator revealed – with nearly 1 in 10 services scrapped by Locals Insider · Sep 26, 2025Most Beautiful Road Trips in Europe (With Stops)by Locals Insider · Sep 26, 2025Best Airport Lounges in Europe | Reviews, Ratings and Our Favoriteby Locals Insider · Sep 24, 2025Where Americans Are Traveling: Top Destinations and Travel Statisticsby Locals Insider · Sep 23, 2025Great Alternatives to Amalfiby Locals Insider · Sep 20, 2025Where to Travel in October? The World’s Best Fall Destinationsby Locals Insider · Sep 12, 202510 Sun-soaked Countries to Visit in December – Warm Winter Escapesby Locals Insider · Sep 12, 2025Caribbean named top wedding location by British public as voters shun UK ceremoniesby Alex Copenguy · Sep 6, 2025Trendy AI Travel Planners Reviewed, and One Clear Winnerby Martin Eriksen (Danemaq) · Sep 2, 2025London voted top stag and hen do destination in UK by British public by Teddy Dondanville · Aug 27, 2025The Best Multi-Day Hiking Trails Around the Worldby Locals Insider · Aug 27, 2025Here are Top 10 Business Class Lounges in the U.S. Ranked by Travelersby Locals Insider · Aug 27, 2025From JFK to Miami: The Most Anticipated U.S. Airport Loungesby Locals Insider · Aug 27, 2025The Best New York Times Free to Play Gamesby Teddy Dondanville · Aug 23, 2025Where to Go Skiing, Snowboarding & Winter Camping – Best Cold-Weather Adventuresby Locals Insider · Aug 20, 2025Blackout Travel: Best Places for a Digital Detoxby Kaelyn Buzzo · Aug 20, 2025Top GPS Watches for Hiking in USA & Abroadby Martin Eriksen (Danemaq) · Aug 19, 2025Best Low-Tax Countries in Europe for Entrepreneursby Harrison Pierce · Aug 19, 20257 Best Affordable Cities for Digital Nomads to Live and Workby Locals Insider · Aug 19, 2025Soho House, Explained: How the Members-Only Club Works (and Whether It’s Worth It)by Alex Copenguy · Aug 16, 2025Best Airport Lounges in the World, According to the Latest Ratingsby Locals Insider · Aug 15, 202516 Must-Have Vacation Rental Apps That Are Bestby Locals Insider · Aug 14, 20255 Best Botanical Gardens in the World – UNESCO Sites, Orchids & Rare Plantsby Locals Insider · Aug 12, 202520 Best Beaches in Europe for Clean Waters, Surfing, Seclusion & Nudists (Preferred by Locals)by Alex Copenguy · Aug 10, 20255 Travel Hacks That Get You Into Luxury Hotels for Lessby Locals Insider · Aug 7, 2025How New Android XR Glasses Are Changing the Way We Travelby Alex Copenguy · Aug 1, 2025The Best Designer Travel Luggageby Locals Insider · Aug 1, 2025The Best Designer Phone Cases for Travelersby Alex Copenguy · Aug 1, 2025Ten Smart Ways to Protect Your Phone While Travelingby Locals Insider · Jul 31, 2025Anxiety in the Air: Ranking the Most Anxious Flyers in Americaby Nick Nomi · Jul 24, 2025Armani’s First Saudi Arabian Hotel With 70 Guest Rooms Blends Fashion With Heritage – Set to Openby Nick Nomi · Jul 24, 2025NYC’s Waldorf Astoria Returns With Glam, Sinatra Suite & $1,600 Roomsby Locals Insider · Jul 19, 2025What Are One Key™ Cards? Your Guide to the Travel Rewards Program Everyone’s Seeing on Hotels.comby Alex Copenguy · Jul 19, 2025Relaxing Travel Videos Are In: Slow Watching Is the Next Big Thing in Wellness Travelby Alex Copenguy · Jul 15, 2025Top Longevity & Detox Programs in Europe: 5 Best Anti-Aging Retreatsby Locals Insider · Jul 3, 2025Is Marriott Bonvoy Worth It? Guide to the World’s Biggest Hotel Rewards Programby Locals Insider · Jul 3, 2025What are the Most Beautiful Hotels in the World? TOP Places Rankedby Locals Insider · Jun 25, 2025New Place to Visit in Venice: A Historic Palazzo Reimagined by Dries Van Noten for Culture Loversby Alex Copenguy · Jun 2, 2025Is SLH Club Worth It? Guide to Small Luxury Hotels’ Boutique Loyalty Programby Gosha Slugin · May 8, 2025Top 10 Chill Vibes DJ Music for Summerby Locals Insider · Apr 1, 2025Grandstands & Gallops: 5 Legendary Horse Racing Tracks to Visit in the UK & USby Locals Insider · Mar 16, 2025Ranked: The Most and Least Affordable U.S. Airports