Expert picks from Claire Newell of Travel Best Bets will help you savour every moment overseas!
A new era of travel is here—with slower moments, deeper connections, and unexpected inspiration.
And thanks to BC Children’s Hospital Choices Lottery and Travel Best Bets, early ticket buyers have the chance to turn these 2026 travel trends into real‑life adventures with thousands in travel prizes to be won, including over $200,000 in the Early Bird draws.
According to Claire Newell, President of Travel Best Bets and Choices Lottery partner, three major travel trends are defining 2026:
1. Slow Travel
“After more than 33 years in travel, one thing is clear: 2026 is about slowing down,” says Claire.
Instead of racing through multiple cities, travellers are choosing fewer destinations, longer stays, and meaningful routines—renting apartments, returning to the same café, or taking scenic rail journeys where, as Claire puts it, “the transit becomes part of the vacation.”
Recent industry research supports the shift. Hilton’s 2026 Trends Report notes that 91% of global travellers want trips focused on rest and rejuvenation rather than packed itineraries. Expedia data shows travellers are extending stays by an average of 20% compared to pre-pandemic patterns, and rail bookings across Europe and Canada continue to rise as travellers prioritize scenery and sustainability.
Claire sees slow travel not as a passing phase, but a full mindset shift toward living like a local rather than checking off landmarks.
What It Looks Like:
- The Readaway: cozy cottages, coastal homes, and a stack of books.
- Rail Revivals: iconic multi-day train journeys.
- One-City Immersion: two-week stays in a single neighbourhood.
Claire’s Top Picks:
Islands and coastal towns such as the Amalfi Coast, the Greek Isles, Prince Edward Island, and Atlantic Canada; farm stays in Tuscany and the English countryside; and scenic rail journeys through the Canadian Rockies.
2. Multi-Generational Travel
Families are travelling together in more intentional and meaningful ways—grandparents, parents, and children all on the same itinerary.
Claire calls this “The Legacy Trip,” designed to create shared memories that last well beyond the vacation.
“Families are prioritizing experiences over material gifts,” she explains. Industry data shows multi-generational travel now represents nearly 30% of family leisure bookings globally, and 55% of families involve children directly in the planning process so everyone feels invested.
With Canadians sitting on record household savings allocated toward travel, many are choosing milestone trips—anniversaries, graduations, retirement celebrations—as the reason to gather multiple generations together.
What It Looks Like:
- Skip-Gen Trips: grandparents travelling with grandchildren.
- Heritage Travel: exploring ancestral roots in Europe and beyond.
- The Villa Takeover: private villas or residences where families can be together, with space for everyone.
Claire’s Top Picks:
All-inclusive resorts in Mexico and the Caribbean, expedition and mainstream cruises with programming for every age group, and immersive experiences in the Canadian Rockies and across Europe.
3. Grocery Store Tourism
One of Claire’s favourite unexpected trends is what she calls “Shelf Discovery.”
Travellers are swapping souvenir shops for supermarket aisles—exploring local snacks, spices, wines, and everyday essentials. Popularized by TikTok (#GroceryStoreTourism), this affordable and authentic trend turns the supermarket into a cultural deep-dive.
Google search trends show a significant increase in searches for “local grocery stores near me” while travelling, and social media engagement around food discovery continues to surge. For value-conscious Canadian travellers, this trend blends cultural immersion with budget awareness.
What It Looks Like:
- Shelfie Souvenirs: salts, spices, chocolates, regional snacks.
- Snack Hauls: viral local treats unavailable at home.
- The First-Stop Ritual: visiting a local market before sightseeing to feel grounded in a new destination.
Claire’s Top Picks:
Japan and across Asia, where convenience stores (konbinis) are culinary destinations in their own right; and across Europe, where everyday pantry items feel like gourmet finds back home.
Ready to Turn Trends Into Tickets?
If these trends have you dreaming, now’s the time to act! Early Choices Lottery ticket buyers can win $10,000 to $200,000 in travel prizes from Travel Best Bets.
Your next slow‑travel escape, legacy trip, or grocery‑store adventure might be just a ticket away—all while supporting world‑class care for kids across BC.