Sweat-jetting to shape travel bookings in 2026, reports Tripadvisor

Travellers are trading cocktails for cardio in 2026, as a new wave of health‑driven adventures takes off. According to Tripadvisor’s second‑annual Trendcast report, ‘sweat‑Jetting’ – where travel meets intense physical activity – is set to replace last year’s ‘set‑jetting’ craze as the year’s defining travel movement.

Drawing on global insights from search, booking and behavioural data, the report reveals that travellers are increasingly planning trips around activities and experiences rather than destinations alone. Endurance events and outdoor fitness are leading the charge, from cycling routes through Marrakech to participation in the Tokyo Marathon.

So‑called ‘mara‑cations’ and ‘race‑cations’ are driving record demand, with the Chicago Marathon recording a 300% spike in visitors, and Boston and Berlin up 228% and 222%, respectively. Sports‑themed activities are also surging, with bookings for stadium tours and athletic experiences rising 25% year‑on‑year.

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The appetite for high‑impact travel continues with ‘edge experiences’, including glacier tours (up 29%), lava field excursions (up 79%) and heli‑hiking adventures (up 56%). Wildlife tracking in Ladakh and underground explorations in Rome are also gaining traction among thrill‑seekers.

The wellness wave is reshaping nightlife too, with travellers turning to ‘soft clubbing’ that blends revelry and relaxation through music‑led, mindful experiences. DJ sets in unconventional venues and intimate listening bars are gaining momentum, with on‑the‑water performances rising  29% and listening bars up 64%. Tripadvisor highlights include a ‘Wellness Music Experience’ at Oslo’s Salt Sauna and a ‘Soundbath under the Stars’ in California’s Joshua Tree.