Travelers are increasingly choosing activities that let them participate in a destination rather than simply photograph its famous sights.
1. Local Cooking Classes
Food is becoming a way to experience a culture rather than just something to eat.
Tripadvisor’s 2026 data shows craft classes were its fastest-growing experience category, with bookings up 88% year over year, reflecting stronger demand for hands-on activities led by locals.
2. Traditional Craft Workshops
Travelers are learning pottery, weaving, woodworking, painting, and other traditional skills directly from local instructors.
The appeal is getting to make something while learning about a destination’s culture.
3. Nature Experiences
Instead of spending an entire trip inside museums and city centres, travelers are increasingly booking experiences in nature.
Tripadvisor reported eco-tour bookings up 62% in the first half of 2026, showing how quickly outdoor experiences are gaining ground.
4. Local Food Tours
Food tours can turn ordinary neighbourhoods into destinations.
Travelers are seeking bakeries, markets, food stalls, wineries, and restaurants that reveal how people actually eat rather than relying only on famous tourist attractions.
5. Water-Based Experiences
Kayaking, paddleboarding, sailing, snorkeling, and other activities are giving visitors a more active way to experience coastal destinations.
These experiences also allow travelers to explore areas that cannot be reached through conventional sightseeing.
6. Lesser-Known Destinations
Sometimes the experience is simply discovering somewhere before it becomes crowded.
Tripadvisor found that destinations outside its 100 most-booked locations grew more than twice as fast as the top 100 during the first half of 2026, suggesting travelers are increasingly looking beyond the traditional tourist circuit.