Amex Travel Reveals 2026 Trending Must-Visit Destinations List

Today, Amex Travel released its list of 2026 Trending Destinations – an annual roundup of the ten must-visit places for the year ahead, based on Card Member travel bookings and insights from Amex Travel’s global network of Travel Consultants.

This year’s list is accompanied by a recent Amex Travel survey, which found that 89% of respondents feel more excited to travel when they are going to a hotel or destination they’ve never visited.* Offering inspiration for a variety of trips to help travelers keep exploring, the 2026 Trending Destinations are:

• Indian Himalayas, India
• Killarney, Ireland
• Las Vegas, Nevada, US
• Marrakech, Morocco
• Marbella, Spain
• Okinawa Islands, Japan
• Panama City, Panama
• Papagayo Peninsula, Costa Rica
• San Juan Mountains, Colorado, US
• Julian’s, Malta

The survey shows that travelers are seeking hotels that feel like hidden gems, offer family-friendly amenities, deliver memorable dining experiences, and feature unique, local touches that are authentic to the destination.

Beyond inspiration, the Trending Destinations also highlight ways travelers can enhance their trip when booking with Amex Travel, including recommendations for Fine Hotels & Resorts and The Hotel Collection properties that offer the experiences and amenities travelers are looking for.

*Survey Methodology: This poll was conducted between July 25 - 28, 2025 among a sample of 2,083 adults with a household income greater than $50k per year and travel by plane at least once a year. The interviews were conducted online, and the data was weighted to approximate a target sample of adults based on gender, age, race, educational attainment, and region. Results from the full survey have a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points.

Additional Findings from the 2025 Amex Travel™ survey include: 

• 87% of survey respondents want to book hotels that have locally inspired elements, specific to the destination they are visiting, and 79% say unique itineraries or accommodations are important when booking a trip.
• 80% of survey respondents prefer properties that are hidden gems, such as Fine Hotels + Resorts properties.
• 72% of survey respondents ranked food and social scene in their top three considerations, followed by entertainment and sports events at 59%.
• Family-friendly spaces and offerings are one of the most important hotel amenities for Millennial and Gen Z survey respondents.

2026 Amex Travel Trending Destinations 

• INDIAN HIMALAYAS – With incredible views of towering peaks and lush valleys, the world’s highest road passes and railroads, unique wildlife, and colorful monasteries, the Indian Himalayas offer both natural beauty and spiritual traditions to explore.
• KILLARNEY, IRELAND – Rich with scenic landscapes, local history and a charming town center along the famous Ring of Kerry drive, Killarney provides a quintessential Irish experience.
• LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, US – Las Vegas has long been a go-to destination for its vibrant atmosphere and vast array of world-class entertainment, famous hotels and casinos, and booming culinary scene.
• MARRAKECH, MOROCCO – Marrakech has come to be known as Morocco’s cultural capital, famous for its historic medina and Jemaa el-Fna square, palaces, and mosques, offering both colorful landscapes and serenity.
• MARBELLA, SPAIN – From the sandy Mediterranean beaches to the Sierra Blanca Mountains, Marbella offers a blend of luxury and old-world Andalusian charm with world-class restaurants, high-end shopping, rich history, and culture.
• OKINAWA ISLANDS, JAPAN – An archipelago in southern Japan comprised of 160 islands, Okinawa visitors can expect warm temperatures year-round and world-class diving and snorkeling in its picturesque bays.
• PANAMA CITY, PANAMA – Panama City sits at “the crossroads of the world,” evident through the city’s diverse and renowned food, art, and festival scenes. The Metropolitan Natural Park offers a massive tropical forest to explore wildlife, and the canal itself is one of the most impressive feats of the modern engineering world.
• PAPAGAYO PENINSULA, COSTA RICA – Papagayo Peninsula is renowned for its luxury accommodations and amenities inside a 1,400-acre natural sanctuary. Get up close to a diverse wildlife, including monkeys, sloths, and toucans, and enjoy activities from snorkeling off its calm beaches to hiking over coastal bluffs.
• SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS, COLORADO, US – With peaks reaching to 14,000 feet, the San Juan Mountains are considered to be America’s grandest mountain range. Travelers can find both warm and cold weather adventures along high-altitude alpine lakes, with wildflower-filled meadows or snowcapped peaks depending on the season.
• JULIAN’S, MALTA – Malta’s small but famous seaside town of St. Julian’s blends fishing-village charm with old-world history and contemporary fun. Beaches, bays, and beauty are among the highlights of this Mediterranean island hotspot, along with buzzing restaurants, bars, and live music venues.