Travel in 2026: uncertainty, microvacations, biometrics and shifting prices

Travel in 2026 is being shaped by broad uncertainty that is altering plans from the Caribbean to the United States and beyond, as military risks, immigration restrictions and even concerns about American annexation of places like Greenland affect prospective visitors. Members of the United States Tour Operators Association ranked economic uncertainty their biggest threat in 2026, and Terry Dale, the group’s chief executive, urged travelers "to do their research and prepare." The Trump administration has fully or partly blocked entry for citizens of four countries whose teams qualified for the World Cup — Ivory Coast, Haiti, Iran and Senegal — raising questions about whether similar moves could deter international fans.

Climate-driven extreme weather is also disrupting travel, and the research firm Tourism Economics said foreign visits to the United States fell about 5 percent in 2025. Prices are diverging along a K-shaped pattern: affluent travelers are spending on premium airfares, specialty cruises and luxury resorts, while others cut back, keeping some prices in check.

The U.S. Travel Association reported domestic airfares were down more than 3 percent in 2025, with an average December ticket near $266, and CoStar Group said hotel rates have been largely flat.

Key Topics

Business, Travel Industry, Venezuela, Cuba, Greenland, Ai Pricing