Predictions are flying, crystal balls are spinning, and tourism is gearing up for an exciting—and busy—2026. With mega-events like the Winter Olympics and World Cup, new routes and destinations, unique experiences, rising tourism fees, and the ongoing challenges of overtourism, there’s a lot for advisors to track.
And so we've rounded up and collapsed the year’s launches, forecasts, and trending developments into Open Jaw bite down portions.
Air Passenger Surge
The International Air Transport Association projects global passenger traffic to grow 4.9% in 2026, a slight slowdown from this year’s 5.2% forecast.
Meanwhile, Canadian hubs—from Halifax to Quebec City—are dramatically expanding capacity as Air Canada, WestJet, Air Transat, and Porter add new routes and build regional marketshare.
For early 2026, passenger seat capacity at the country’s biggest airport, Toronto Pearson, is up year‑over‑year, with Air Canada registering a 5% increase in seats versus early 2025, according to Cirium. Despite adding capacity, Air Canada’s share of YYZ seats will drop to about 51%, reflecting added capacity by competitors.
The challenge for Pearson? Handling increased passenger traffic and flight capacity. Staffing shortfalls in air traffic control and support services have already caused numerous delays over the past year.
Work on a "biometric token," part of a major multi‑billion‑dollar modernization initiative called the Pearson LIFT program, aims to carry passengers seamlessly throughout every process. But that innovation appears a ways off yet.
Tax Hikes, Mapped
Overtourism was a major challenge in 2025, prompting destinations to rethink how they manage visitor numbers and the strain on local infrastructure not to mention the patience of locals. Many countries and cities will be introducing or increasing tourism taxes to fund services, protect cultural and natural assets, and encourage more sustainable travel.
Here's where it will cost more for your clients to travel.
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Edinburgh: 5% accommodation levy will apply to overnight stays for the the first five nights, effective 24JULY, 2026. The fee is expected to raise up to £50 million annually to fund city infrastructure and tourism management.
- Kyoto: A tiered overnight accommodation tax increase will take effect 01MAR, 2026. Under the new structure, taxes will rise based on room rates, with luxury stays facing levies of up to ¥10,000 per night (about CDN $88).
- Barcelona: One of Europe’s most visited cities is set to double its tourist tax on four-star accommodations, from €3.50 to €7 (CDN $5.60 to $11.30) per night. The will take effect at the earliest April 2026, following several delays.
- Thailand: A tourist entry fee of 300 baht for air arrivals and 150 baht for land or sea arrivals (about CDN $13 and $6) is now expected no earlier than mid-2026, following multiple postponements tied to tourism recovery concerns.
- Norway: Starting this year, municipalities will be allowed to introduce a local accommodation tax of up to 3% in destinations affected by overtourism, including areas such as Lofoten and Tromsø.
Fandom Tourism
According to Arival's Event-Driven 2026 Traveler report, nearly half of US travellers aged 18-34 and two in five in Europe say a live event played a major factor in choosing their vacation destination.
“Events are becoming a key driver of travel planning, especially for younger generations,” says Douglas Quinby, CEO and Co-founder of Arival. “Travellers are prioritizing what they love–and they’re willing to spend significantly to experience it live.”
And 2026 will be packed with major draws, from the biggest-ever FIFA World Cup to the Winter Olympics.
- Winter Olympics & Paralympics — The Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Games run 06 to 22FEB in northern Italy, with Milan and Cortina hosting numerous events.
- FIFA World Cup — The over month-long World Cup from 11JUN to 19JUL will be jointly hosted by Canada, the US, and Mexico, with matches in 16 cities including Toronto, Vancouver, Dallas, Los Angeles, Boston, Seattle, Monterrey, and Mexico City.
- Commonwealth Games — Glasgow hosts from 23JUL to 02AUG. Scotland’s largest city saw a 20% rise in visitors in 2024, with tourism momentum carrying through 2025 after the city celebrated its 850th anniversary.
- Tour de France — Kicking off 04JUL in Barcelona, the world’s most famous cycling race winds through stunning landscapes from the Pyrenees to the Alps, crossing charming towns and dramatic mountain passes before its grand finale on 26JUL on the Champs‑Élysées in Paris.
Splashy Debuts
The open water will be busier than ever in 2026, with 14 new ships—ranging from mega floating resorts to luxury liners—set to make their debut, according to Cruise Industry News. Among the vessels new on deck:
- Disney Cruise Line's Disney Adventure (March 2026): Disney’s largest ship to date, carrying up to 6,700 guests on Asia-based itineraries from Singapore; features the 820-foot Ironcycle Test Run, billed as the longest rollercoaster at sea.
- Royal Caribbean's Legend of the Seas (July 2026): Accommodates up to 7,600 passengers, with eight neighbourhoods and 28 dining venues; launches in Europe before repositioning to the Caribbean for winter 2026.
- Explora Journeys’ Explora III (Summer 2026): The luxury brand’s newest ship launches Western Europe voyages from Bordeaux, expanding parent MSC Group’s high-end cruise footprint.
- MSC Cruises's MSC World Asia (December 2026): Will carry up to 6,758 guests on seven-night Mediterranean itineraries; includes 40+ bars and restaurants, seven pools, and a private MSC Yacht Club.
Luxe=Hyper-Customization
“Luxury” remains the buzzword in 2026, as it was in 2025, fueled by strong margins, high demand, and evolving consumer habits. While global sales of personal luxury goods are expected to decline in 2025—reflecting waning interest in conspicuous consumption—travel is where luxury spending is booming.
McKinsey projects global spending on luxury accommodations to surpass USD 390 billion by 2028, up from USD 240 billion in 2023, highlighting a growing appetite for experiences that blend authenticity and status without material excess.
Air Canada’s premium cabin revenues rose 5% in Q2 2025 compared with the same period the previous year, while WestJet reported double-digit growth in premium and business cabins, according to the CBC. It’s no surprise airlines are investing in more premium capacity.
But in 2026, luxury is no longer just about extra space or amenities—it’s about difference. Travellers increasingly seek hyper-personalized or besoke experiences, choosing trips and ways of exploring destinations that set them apart from everyone else.
"Think private safaris in Africa, immersive cultural experiences in Kyoto, or sailing to hidden islands on a yacht with an expert local guide," according to Canadian-based Gravitate Travel. "It’s not about ticking boxes from a pre-packaged itinerary but creating bespoke, life-changing moments that are perfectly tailored to individual preferences."
Choo-Choo Choices
More travellers seem to be opting for epic rail journeys over short-haul flights. In its Travel Trends 2026 Report, Exlore Worldwide reported a 25% year-on-year increase in rail journey bookings, with bookings for the next financial year already 41% up compared with the same point last year.
New choices include:
- Rocky Mountaineer – Passage to the Peaks: New seasonal service from June to July linking Edmonton, Jasper, Calgary, Kamloops, Lake Louise, and Banff with scenic views of the Columbia Icefield and Athabasca Falls.
- Canyon Spirit: The rebranded luxury Rockies‑to‑Red‑Rocks train operates throughout 2026 between Denver, Glenwood Springs, Moab, and Salt Lake City, with two‑ and three‑day journeys featuring glass‑dome coaches and regional cuisine.
- European Sleeper: Night trains expanding in 2026 include a Paris–Berlin service launching in March and a new Amsterdam/Brussels–Milan overnight service beginning 18JUN.
- Budapest–Belgrade Line (CEE): The historical link will reopen with up to six round trips per day in early 2026, reconnecting this key regional corridor.
There are, of course, many other trends and factors that will shape 2026—we haven’t even touched on geopolitical issues! But Open Jaw will be there throughout the year to provide context, insights, and guidance to help advisors navigate it all.
