Published on
October 16, 2025
United States, Japan, Italy, and France are set to see a significant surge in tourism as travellers increasingly seek sustainable and meaningful experiences in 2026. According to Expedia Group’s “Unpack ’26” report, destinations like Big Sky, Montana, Okinawa, Japan, Sardinia, Italy, and Savoie, France are emerging as top choices for the coming year. With a growing desire for immersive travel that combines culture, adventure, and environmental responsibility, these countries are attracting more visitors who want to explore beyond traditional tourist hotspots. As a result, the airline and hospitality industries are gearing up for this rise in travel demand, offering new routes, sustainable accommodations, and unique local experiences to cater to the evolving preferences of today’s conscious traveler.
Expected Tourist Growth in the USA, Japan, Italy, and France
New areas are opening up for tourism and, in 2026, new places will be feeling the flow of travel and tourism business. Expedia Group’s most recent publications relate to Unpack 26 and describes the most important trends in the growing global tourism business and the rising global tourism business. According to their most current tourism industry publications, the USA, Japan, Italy, and France are expected to achieve travel and tourism growth in tourism in 2026. This growth will affect the airlines and tourism. Customers are interested in more sustainable offerings and unique travel and tourism experiences. This growing tourism and travel interest scanner most positive experiences.
More Tourist Visits Big Sky, Montana, in the United States
According to the travel predictions for 2026, Big Sky, Montana, is one of the stars of the United States Tourism with a 92% increase in travel interest. Big Sky’s incredible landscapes have a reputation for outdoor activities among adventurers. It is also very popular for its solitude. Along with attracting visitors to the Yellowstone National Park, Big Sky has the potential to be popular for year-round warmer vacations for visitors who want to enjoy some warmth with a little activity.
Getting There:
To Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) or Billings Logan International Airport (BIL) you can easily get flights from Delta, American Airlines, or other major airlines. Travelers from large cities like New York, Los Angeles, or Chicago can very easily get non-stop flights to Big Sky.
Prepared Accommodations:
Big Sky’s several luxury resorts like Montage Big Sky and The Wilson Hotel are also preparing for the increased amount of visitors. They have increased focus on offering eco-sustainable resorts to attract eco-sustainable customers. The increased tourism will impact smaller, family-owned, and family-run tourism to also adapt and distribute the tourism impact across smaller local family-run businesses.
Japan to See Surge in Tourism: Okinawa on the Rise
Japan’s tropical paradise, Okinawa, is becoming one of the most popular holiday spots with a 71% increase in travel interest since 2026. With one of the most beautiful beaches, a subtropical climate, and a rich culture, Japan is a truly unique and pleasant holiday. In the case of Okinawa, it is manifestly becoming a favourite to tourists who are looking to come and rest as well as explore and learn a culture.
Flight Details:
Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airways (ANA) are the best options to take a direct flight to the Naha International Airport, which is the main gateway to Okinawa. For those who will be travelling from other main cities in the Japan mainland like Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto, there are domestic flights to Okinawa’s paradise.
Hospitality Sector:
With the increase to travel to Okinawa, more interest in it’s hospitality sector is obvious. Sustainability objectives and practices which used to be a fancy term for more expensive trips have become a selling point for places like the Okinawa Marriott Resort and other places in the Okinawa sister line. These places schooled there guests in culture on the basis of food, and offered luxuries like unique personal cultural experiences, and to show the trenches of the hospitality offered.
Sardinia attracting tourists from all over the world
Among the Italian regions, Sardinia is expected to receive the greatest attention, with a projected 63% increase in tourism interest by 2026. With its ancient ruins, beautiful landscapes, and breathtaking shores, Sardinia offers a unique combination of relaxation, history, and culture. Sardinia is a perfect place to visit for people wishing to have a genuine Italian experience, one that’s calmer than the busy and overcrowded cities of Florence and Rome, as it’s home to a UNESCO World Heritage site and the beautiful Costa Smeralda.
Flight Information:
Sardinia is accessible from the mainland through flights from Italian air companies Alitalia and Ryanair to Sardinia’s Cagliari Elmas Airport (CAG) and Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport (OLB). Direct flights from London, Paris, and Berlin to Sardinia also make it easy for people from major European cities to visit the island.
Accommodation:
Sardinia’s sustainable tourism is a result of the the focus on the preservation of the environment and the use of local produce, adopted by the 4-star and 5-star eco-friendly hotels and resorts, such as Hotel Cala di Volpe and Forte Village Resort. The rise of boutique hotels and agriturismos in the Italian countryside also offers visitors immersive and authentic experiences in the region.
France to See Surge In Tourism: Savoie Grows In Popularity
Savoie in the French Alps is climbing in the projected popularity of destinations seeing the interest for travel for 2026 in Savoie is set to increase by 51%. Savoie is the perfect destination for these snow-capped, ski resorts with impressive silhouettes. Outside of winter activities, Savoie is open to those with outdoor interests in the summer with is summer hiking, riding and the picturesque summer cottages in the sloping valleys.
Flight Info:
Savoie tourist have to know that the international access and most friendly to the Savoie is the Geneva Airport (GVA) in Switzerland. Passengers will find the Switzerland International Air Lines and Air France to be available for travel and will have options from the the main European cities. After arriving to Savoie tourist will be able to enjoy a picturesque drive or a airline shuttle that takes you to the French Alps.
Savoie Hospitality:
Savoie ski season will be able to provide plenty of opportunities for the new employment in Savoie with the new expected increase for the winter tourism. More boutique hotels and chalets of winter boutique hotels and chalets that have personalized options for hosting winter or summer holidays with be open to attract and provide these travellers.
Sustainable Travel and Meaningful Experiences
One of the main trends from the report “Unpack ’26” by Expedia Group is the increasing interest around sustainable and meaningful travel experiences. Tourists show interest in value-based travel options with a focus on eco-friendliness, sustainable tourism advocacy, protecting the environment, and cultural intimacy. This is causing positive growth in sustainable tourism destinations such as Big Sky, Okinawa, Sardinia, and Savoie.
In the travel industry, airlines and the hospitality sector are starting to show more sustainable practices. As an example, Delta, Japan Airlines, and Alitalia are starting to invest in more fuel-efficient and eco-friendly practices to help combat climate change. Similarly, eco-conscious travelers are attracting the hospitality sector’s attention with practices such as energy-efficient lighting, waste reduction programs, and locally sourced food.
Travel Tips for TouristsBook Early: There is a current surge in interest for places such as Big Sky, Okinawa, and Sardinia. To ensure the best prices and avoid busy times, it is best to book your travel and lodging a long time in advance.Eco-friendly Travel: Airlines and hotels that practice eco-friendly policies. For example, Delta and ANA have carbon offset programs and eco-friendly practices have been adopted by some resorts in Okinawa and Sardinia.Getting to Know the Community: Go to the less popular destinations to appreciate the local culture and get to know the community. In Sardinia, you might get a more authentic Italian experience by going to the small towns. In Big Sky, you could able to appreciate the unique ecosystems of Yellowstone National Park by taking a guided tour.Insurance for Travel: Expect the unexpected by having comprehensive travel insurance that covers delays and cancellations. peace of mind will assist in having a stress free vacation.Smart and Light Packing: Light and Smart Packing. Light packing will make it more comfortable to travel the airports in Sardinia and Savoie as you will have to take buses and shuttles to get to the nearest airports and it will make is much easier to navigate through your destination. Light packing will also make it easier to travel in Sardinia and Savoie as you will have to take buses and shuttles to get to the nearest airports.Airlines and Hospitality Industry Planning for 2026
The increase in travel to 2026 will give the airlines industry the opportunity to expand their services to the Greater for airline companies to grow there services to the greater reaches. Companies like Delta Airlines have begun extending their services to Big Sky Montana and Okinawa Japan, and adding new routes for the offered connections. Provided new routes will offered connections for New York, Los Angeles, and Okinaw, and there will be connections for Japan.
The resort in Big Sky and Sardinia with high-end services with high-end resort and high-end travel will increase in value will extend there offerings and adapt to there new value offered to high-end travel and high-end travel. New adventure for the smaller value like boutique hotels, eco-friendly accommodations, and new customizations for there focused personalized experience for there provided accommodations.
Moving into the 2026 in increased travel, the experience will be focused on the shift toward felt adventure. Plan a hassle free vacation to Big Sky, Okinawa or exciting Savoie by selecting travel and stay more in line with your ideals.
The United States, Japan, Italy, and France are set to see a surge in tourism in 2026, driven by travelers seeking sustainable and meaningful experiences. Expedia Group’s “Unpack ’26” report highlights key destinations like Big Sky, Okinawa, Sardinia, and Savoie as rising hotspots for next year.
Wrapping Up
Looking at the growth of the travel industry in countries like the USA, Japan, Italy, and France 2026 is going to be an exciting year for travel. With and increase in travel to places like Big Sky, Okinawa, Sardinia, and Savoie, the industry is beginning to focus on Sustainable and more meaningful travel. Airlines and hotel owners have begun to offer new flights and green hotel services and personalized services to “Responsible” travelers that the new sustainable travel practices.
Travelers are going to have the chance to enjoy new areas that provide combinations of all three of these activities: adventure, culture, and relaxation. A Sustainably memorable trip is possible if travelers practice sustainable travel, book early and enjoy the local culture. Meaningful travel will continue to be a focus and will contribute to the ever-changing landscape of travel.
