Fora Travel’s fourth annual Hot List forecast offers a clear look at the emerging travel trends set to shape where people will be visiting this year:
Destinations
Mexico City
Soccer fans know CDMX is one of the host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Others know it as an exciting food city. All the while, though, Mexico City has been expanding its imprint on the global art world.
Art travel has become what food tourism was a decade ago — the reason people choose their next destination. Mexico City boasts more than 150 museums, including the home of Frida Kahlo, also known as Casa Azul, and a museum dedicated to Diego Rivera’s murals. Museo Jumex houses more than 2,000 works by big-name contemporary artists such as Jeff Koons and Olafur Eliasson, as well as Mexican creators Abraham Cruzvillegas and Mario García Torres. And Museo Soumaya is home to the largest collection of Rodin’s work outside France.
Finally, don’t forget about the FIFA World Cup — Estadio Banorte (a.k.a. Estadio Azteca) will host the opening match on June 11, making it the first stadium to host matches during three World Cup tournaments. Concerts, museum exhibitions, and a festival in the historic Zócalo are among the many events surrounding the tournament.
By the numbers: Mexico has seen a 150% increase in bookings to Mexico City in the past year
Lesser-known Japan
Skip the lines and crowds in Kyoto and Tokyo for more peaceful experiences in Japan that promise excellent cuisine, even better accommodations, and — most importantly—the feeling of being among the first to discover them.
For years, these roads-less-traveled only had business hotels on offer. Not anymore. High-end properties showcasing the best of Japan’s food, culture, design, and access (to sites and traditions) are being cultivated across the archipelago nation. Head to Karuizawa, a small hot-springs resort town that can be an alternative to the crowds in Hakone. Shishi-Iwa House, the embodiment of quiet luxury, has 30 rooms spread across three buildings, each created by a big-name architect. Equally exciting for its innovative architecture is Simose Art Garden Villa on the shores of the Seto Inland Sea just past Hiroshima, which features 10 one-of-a-kind villas and is part of a larger art collective. Its combination of art, architecture, and location make it a great complement or alternative to Naoshima, the “art island.”
It may not be undiscovered, but Hakone is rightfully famous for its hot springs and views of Mount Fuji; the big news for 2026 is the planned opening of Hotel The Mitsui Hakone, a follow-up to the acclaimed Hotel The Mitsui Kyoto. An hour away, the design-forward Gora Kadan Fuji is a Relais & Châteaux property that opened in July and is positioned deep in a forested expanse that sits in the shadow of the hotel’s famous namesake. (It’s the sister property of the original Gora Kadan Hakone, the ryokan that put Japanese inns on the international map.)
By the numbers: Hakone has seen a 245% increase in bookings in the past year, while Niseko has seen a 265% increase.
The Nordics
The Nordic countries have long been known for quiet luxury, architecture, and cuisine. In 2026, the sky’s the limit on the opportunity to catch epic celestial phenomena — including a total solar eclipse.
Norway, with its dramatic fjords and sparsely inhabited islands, is best explored via a small-ship cruise. Hurtigruten, originally founded in 1893 as a passenger and cargo service, is a singular experience that highlights local cuisine and cultural experiences; outdoor experiences including fjord treks, kayaking, and bike tours; and — depending on the season — 24-hour sun or the Northern Lights. Or check out the Northern Lights sailings from HX, which come with a guarantee—if there’s no Northern Lights sighting from your ship during your cruise, they’ll offer you credit for a future trip. But Norway isn’t just about cruises—new properties are welcoming visitors, including Wood Hotel Bodø, a nature-centric resort located above the Arctic Circle; Åmot, a lovingly restored 19th-century farm estate, and Villa Nord, a new boutique hotel in Trondheim (opening in 2026).
For a more urban experience, head to the epicenter of the Scandinavian design movement, the Danish capital, Copenhagen. The artificial island of Refshaleøen is home to an up-and-coming cultural scene complete with innovative eateries and Copenhagen Contemporary, a large-scale collection of emerging and established artists housed in a former industrial building. Besides great design, Copenhagen is also known for great food, with multiple Michelin-starred and Bib Gourmand restaurants. Last year saw the opening of 1 Hotel Copenhagen, featuring the collection’s signature sustainable luxury, and Park Lane Copenhagen, which blends historic architecture with modern Danish design and has already been awarded a Michelin Key. And the Admiral Hotel, located in an 18th-century riverside warehouse, has undergone a major refurbishment, giving it a fresh new style without losing its historic character.
By the numbers: Denmark has seen a 117% increase in bookings in the past year, while Iceland has seen a 128% increase and Norway has seen a 131% increase.
South American beaches
If you love both the scene and natural beauty of Ibiza, you’ll adore the beach towns of South America, where you’ll find both laid-back bohemian flair and loads of luxury properties. Long popular with locals, these towns are poised to take off in a big way with American and other global travellers thanks to their low-key plus high-fashion vibes.
In Brazil, Santa Catarina boasts more than 100 beaches. The 25-room Awasi Santa Catarina is a quiet retreat that feels both elevated and totally unplugged from the outside world. Trancoso, further north, has become a magnet for the haute hippie set but has somehow kept its fishing village soul intact — mostly because the hotels here actively care about sustainability. Check out UXUA, a rustic luxe hilltop hideaway, and Etnia Casa Hotel, a series of breezy low-slung buildings a short walk from the town center.
Only 12 miles down the coast is José Ignacio, featuring the newly renovated Playa Vik, a collection of intimate casitas, each with an expansive private garden and a living roof, centered around a high-design main building with a curved facade and inclined glass. Amenities include a cantilever pool, horseback riding excursions, and three restaurants. Its sister hotels Bahia Vik and Estancia Vik also just emerged from major renovations, each with its own unique vibe.
By the numbers: Brazil has seen a 111% increase in bookings in the past year, while Uruguay has seen a 192% increase.
The Carolinas
Popular for generations with vacationers within driving distance, this pair of states is having a renaissance, with plenty of new offerings to appeal to travellers from all over the U.S. and abroad.
In North Carolina, surfers worldwide know the Outer Banks (a 100-mile stretch of barrier islands that runs from the Virginia border south to Ocracoke Island) boasts the biggest waves on the East Coast. And families will find a wallet-friendly and classic seaside destination with historic sites, relaxed eateries, and unexpected wildlife — you won’t want to miss the wild horses in Corolla. Traditionally, home rentals were the main accommodation options here, but in the past few seasons, a wave of new boutique hotels has joined the scene. Popular resort The Sanderling (now run by EOS Hospitality) got a major rehab in 2025, with new restaurant Theodosia presenting an innovative take on local cuisine.
For live music, art, and an award-winning food scene, all eyes are on Asheville. Set in the western part of the state in the Blue Ridge Mountains, the buzzy destination just emerged from an impressive rebuild following Hurricane Helene. Among the revitalized offerings are the South Slope Mural Trail, a self-guided tour of elevated street art in the South Slope Cultural District, and Resurrection Studios Collective: Housed in a historic manufacturing building downtown, the group hosts open studios, rotating displays, and pop-up shops. Hotel openings in recent years include The Restoration Hotel Asheville, located in the heart of downtown, and The Radical Asheville, Tapestry Collection by Hilton in the River Arts District, for those who like an edgier vibe — both are now fully reopened after Helene. Or head to one of the luxury resorts in the mountains near Asheville, like High Hampton in Cashiers, an historic mountain lodge bought and relaunched by the Blackberry Farm owner a few years ago, or Cataloochee Ranch, whose owners have pledged $2 million to local recovery efforts.
By the numbers: Asheville has seen a 174% increase in bookings in the past year, while South Carolina has seen a 157% increase.
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