7 Top tourism trends for 2026 – visit leicestershire
7 Top Tourism Trends for 2026
Travel is evolving. Visitors are looking for meaning, simplicity and experiences that feel personal rather than packaged. Across Leicester and Leicestershire, these shifts are already taking shape. Here are seven travel trends shaping 2026 and how they are playing out locally.
1. Quietcations and the Rise of Hushpitality
In a world of constant notifications and noise, “quietcations” are gaining momentum. Sometimes referred to as hushpitality, this movement centres on comfort, silence and switching off from the pressures of modern life.
A perfect example is Harborough’s Hidden Hideaway. Founded seven years ago, the off grid retreat encourages guests to reconnect with nature and step away from their devices. On arrival, visitors are invited to store their phones safely away. Power comes from solar panels, hot water from gas boilers, and evenings are lit softly to protect the surrounding wildlife. Log burners and wood fired hot tubs replace screens, while wild areas are left undisturbed for birds and insects.
Owner Ellie Jackson says guests may feel nervous at first without their electronics, but they quickly rediscover the joy of board games, marshmallow toasting and real conversation. The high number of returning visitors suggests that many are craving exactly this kind of escape.
2. AI Over Admin
Artificial intelligence is transforming travel. From real time translation to mobile check ins, it is helping remove stress from the visitor journey. Major platforms like Expedia and Booking.com have integrated AI tools such as ChatGPT to streamline planning and bookings.
Yet there are challenges. Algorithm driven recommendations can funnel travellers towards the same hotspots, contributing to overtourism. AI is also linked to an increase in travel scams, so thoughtful use is essential.
Locally, Visit Leicester has launched an AI powered chatbot called FOXI, short for Find Out Extra Info. Unlike broader search engines, FOXI only draws information from the official Visit Leicester website, helping ensure accuracy and relevance. It is a practical example of how AI can enhance visitor experience without overwhelming it.
3. Trust Over Choice
With endless options online, many travellers are experiencing decision fatigue. Increasingly, they are placing their trust in knowledgeable local experts to curate their trips.
National Forest e-Bike Holidays has embraced this approach. Inspired by cycling holidays in Germany, Sue and Alan Jerham offer self guided walking and biking breaks across North West Leicestershire and beyond. Their carefully designed itineraries connect visitors with local hotels, restaurants and producers, blending sustainability with distinctive experiences.
The business has earned national recognition, including a Gold award for Green Tourism and a Silver award for Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2023. It proves that curated, trusted experiences resonate strongly with modern travellers.
4. Road Tripping Revival
The road trip is firmly back on the agenda. According to the 2026 trends report from Hilton, millions of travellers are embracing the freedom of packing up the car and heading out on an adventure. For many Britons, it is also a cost effective way to travel.
Leicestershire is ideally positioned to benefit. Within easy reach of London, Birmingham and Leeds, it has long been a place people drive through. Now it has the opportunity to become the destination itself.
Car and bike friendly attractions make exploring easy. Highlights include the Triumph Factory Visitor Centre for motorcycle enthusiasts, Twycross Zoo, Belvoir Castle and the National Space Centre. Together they create the perfect itinerary for a flexible, drive at your own pace break.
5. Ultra Personalised Travel
The one size fits all holiday is fading fast. Travellers want experiences that reflect their interests, life stages and passions. From specialist retreats to niche hobby tours, hyper individuality is shaping the market.
Leicestershire’s rich history and distinctive food culture offer fertile ground for tailored itineraries. Visitors can explore the story of King Richard III, whose remains lie in Leicester Cathedral, or trace the county’s transformation from industrial heartland to green landscape.
Food tourism is equally compelling. Known as England’s Curry Capital and home to the famous Melton Mowbray Pork Pie, the region offers immersive tasting experiences through local operators such as Hidden Food Tours.
6. Going Off Grid
As travellers turn away from crowded hotspots like the Cotswolds and Cornwall, lesser visited destinations are coming into their own.
Leicestershire offers countryside that rivals better known landscapes. Bradgate Park and Beacon Hill Country Park provide sweeping views and rich history, while villages in Charnwood are often described as a miniature Cotswolds.
Add to that a festival calendar to rival major cities and the rare opportunity to visit the tomb of a monarch, and the county presents a compelling alternative to busier destinations.
7. Bookspiration and Set Jetting
Travel inspired by books, film and television continues to grow. Literary tourism and set jetting are powerful motivators for modern visitors.
Leicestershire has strong credentials on both fronts. Belvoir Castle famously doubled as Windsor Castle in the Netflix series The Crown. The Great Central Railway has also appeared on screen, including in The Hours starring Nicole Kidman.
On the literary side, local author Sue Townsend created the beloved Adrian Mole series, while Ashby de la Zouch is linked to Sir Walter Scott and his novel Ivanhoe. And of course, the story of Richard III at Bosworth continues to capture imaginations more than five centuries on.
From quiet escapes to AI innovation, from curated cycling holidays to cinematic landmarks, Leicester and Leicestershire are well placed to meet the evolving expectations of tomorrow’s traveller.
