The emerging destinations everyone will be visiting in 2026, according to new data

Sure, it’s always handy telling your pals where you plan to travel this year and having various Google Maps folders of tried and tested restaurants and bars sent to you, but if you want to go somewhere that feels like a completely undiscovered destination, KAYAK has got just the thing. 

The travel search engine did some digging and produced its second annual ‘What the Future’ report, which found that 71 percent of Gen Z and 75 percent of Millennials are craving ‘undiscovered destinations’. The report is based on community data from TikTok, and the list of places that will supposedly be popular this year is certainly intriguing. 

Topping it is the delightful Irish city of Cork, which is the country’s second most populous hub and arguably the more laidback, cooler younger sibling to Dublin. It’s wonderfully walkable and full of brilliant places to eat, unofficially known as Ireland’s culinary capital, as well as a convenient base for hiking in the county – Gougane Barra and the Sheep’s Head Peninsula are both worth packing your walking boots for. 

Head to the city for Cork Fringe Festival on May 8-10 and enjoy all the theatre and comedy taking place across the city, as well as its smattering of proper, quintessential Irish pubs – The Mutton Lane Inn and Coughlan’s are a couple of landmark options, but there are plenty to explore. 

Claiming second and third place according to KAYAK are two Chinese destinations: Chongqing, a city on the Yungui plateau which is overlooked by mountains and is a hub of both ancient and modern Chinese history, and Harbin in northeastern China, which is home to lots of Russian architecture and the world’s largest ice sculpture festival. In fifth place is also Shenzhen, a Unesco City of Design. Scroll on to have a look at KAYAK’s top 10 emerging destinations in full.

These are the 10 top emerging destinations, according to KAYAK

1. Cork, Ireland
2. Chongqing, China
3. Harbin, China
4. Zakynthos, Greece
5. Shenzhen, China
6. Almaty, Kazakhstan
7. Hilo (Big Island), Hawaii, USA
8. Noumea, New Caledonia
9. La Romana, Dominican Republic
10. Luxembourg

📍 Check out Time Out’s roundups of the most underrated destinations in Europe and the world, for more 2026 travel inspiration. 

Did you see that air passengers can now pay a fee for an empty neighbouring seat on this European airline?

Plus: A museum dedicated to ‘Romantic Life’ will reopen this Valentine’s Day in Paris. 

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