The Last Word with Matt Cooper Travel Trends for 2026
Jan 5, 2026
Sarah Slattery, a travel expert and founder of TheTravelExpert.ie, shares her insights on emerging travel trends for Irish holidaymakers. She discusses the increasing trend of skipping July and August due to high costs and crowds. Luxe-scaping, a concept of enjoying luxury for a night while keeping a budget, is also explored. Sarah mentions the rise of 'Readaways,' driven by BookTok, and highlights exciting new routes, including direct flights to Cancun and regional airport connections to Europe. Albania's allure as a trendy destination completes the conversation.
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Peak Summer Is Losing Its Appeal
- Over half of people surveyed plan to avoid July and August because of heat, crowds, and cost.
- Sarah Slattery says travel is shifting away from peak summer into shoulder seasons and other times of year.
Consider School-Term Travel
- If you have school-age children, consider taking them out of term to travel during cheaper, less crowded periods.
- Sarah Slattery notes many parents are willing to shift holidays by removing kids from school when feasible.
Social Media Creates New Travel Niches
- Social media and TV drive destination demand via phenomena like set-jetting and BookTok-fuelled travel.
- Sarah Slattery highlights a spike in hotel searches with library filters and reading-related reviews after BookTok trends.