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Minor Hotels reports rising demand for meaningful travel and deeper connection among Asian travelers

Minor Hotels has released its 2026 Travel Report, presenting global insights into how travelers are redefining the purpose and value of travel in Asia and beyond. The inaugural report, titled Deeper Travel Discovering Lasting Connections, examines how guests seek stronger bonds with themselves, their companions and the destinations they visit.

Despite economic fluctuations in 2025, the outlook for 2026 appears more positive. According to the report, ninety four percent of surveyed travelers intend to travel the same amount or more in the coming year, and one third plan to travel more frequently than in 2025. Spending expectations follow a similar trend, with ninety four percent planning to maintain or increase their travel budget and forty seven percent expecting to allocate a higher budget overall. These indicators reflect robust demand in the premium segment and signal opportunities for hospitality brands to offer more compelling and high value experiences.

The trend toward connected travel began taking shape in 2025 as travelers sought trips that supported personal reflection, strengthened family bonds and offered deeper cultural immersion. Minor Hotels highlights this as a dominant trend for 2026. When choosing a trip, travelers place significant importance on seasonality at forty two percent, ease of transportation at forty percent and overall travel time at forty percent.

Planning behavior also shows a preference for flexibility in response to uncertainty. More than half of respondents book trips within three months of departure, indicating a willingness to make quick decisions or wait for clarity before committing. When researching and planning, hotel websites remain the most trusted tool for eighty percent of travelers, far surpassing personal recommendations at thirty five percent and online travel agencies at twenty nine percent. New technologies are increasingly relevant as twelve percent have already used generative AI chatbots during their decision making process.

Connected travel is expected to grow significantly next year, particularly in multi generational travel and companion travel. Sixty six percent want to travel with a partner, forty six percent plan to travel with family and thirty two percent seek trips with friends. Shared experiences are a priority, with travelers favoring activities such as dining together at sixty seven percent, relaxation at fifty four percent and cultural exploration at fifty five percent.

Even so, travelers also value personal time during shared trips. Seventy one percent prefer to disconnect from technology, social media or work while traveling. Forty four percent want to integrate more wellness or mindfulness activities. Seventy three percent participate in wellness experiences including spa treatments, nature based activities or fitness. Thirty seven percent seek dedicated personal time even when traveling with others, encouraging hotels and resorts to design experiences that balance community and privacy.

Connecting with destinations continues to be shaped by culture and cuisine. Eighty five percent of respondents prefer exploring local food, followed by interest in historical architecture at seventy one percent and nature based discovery at sixty five percent.