As the world looks ahead to 2026, the travel and employment landscapes are poised for transformation, driven by the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) and shifting consumer priorities. Two recent reports—one from ManpowerGroup, a global leader in staffing, and another from KAYAK and TikTok, examining the future of travel—offer a window into how technology, well-being, and changing habits are set to reshape our lives in the coming years.
On January 19, 2026, Jonas Prising, CEO of ManpowerGroup, addressed the role of AI in the global employment market. As the third-largest temporary staffing company worldwide, with $17.9 billion in revenue in 2024 trailing only Randstad and Adecco, ManpowerGroup is no stranger to seismic shifts in the world of work. Prising’s message, however, was one of cautious optimism. Rather than ringing alarm bells about job losses, he suggested that AI could actually enhance the value of his company and its competitors. “AI will allow more time to be devoted to talent search,” Prising remarked, emphasizing that the technology provides new tools to strengthen their services. He tempered expectations, noting, “It takes time to adapt and implement the technology, and I think that human adoption of AI will require time.” According to Prising, the employment outlook remains stable for 2026—change is coming, but not at a breakneck pace.
Meanwhile, the travel sector is undergoing its own AI-fueled revolution. On the same day, KAYAK and TikTok released the second edition of their “What the Future” report, spotlighting ten key travel trends for 2026. Drawing on billions of searches on KAYAK.fr between April and September 2025, as well as surveys of Generation Z and Millennials in France, the report paints a picture of travelers eager for more personalized and meaningful experiences—and AI is at the heart of this shift.
Perhaps the most striking prediction from the report is that, by 2026, AI will become the most trusted travel advisor, surpassing even friends and social networks. “AI is no longer just a tool for optimizing prices,” the report notes, “but becomes a true travel companion, able to anticipate needs, personalize recommendations, and simplify every stage of the journey.” The trust in AI is quantifiable: 34% of travelers say they trust AI because it draws from millions of data sources, while 25% believe its recommendations are more precise and current than those of friends, family, or social media. Matthias Keller, Chief Product Officer at KAYAK, summed it up: “The future of travel will be smarter, but also more human and personalized.”
A big part of this transformation comes from the way social media, especially TikTok, is changing how people discover new destinations. David Hoctor, Vertical Director Travel at TikTok, observed, “TikTok is transforming the way users explore the world and is now a true search space for travel planning.” Trends like micro-trips among friends and awe-inspiring escapes with loved ones are now visible in real time, thanks to the platform’s viral content.
But it’s not just about technology. Travelers are also turning away from the so-called “copy-paste” destinations—those overexposed and saturated by social media. Instead, there’s a growing appetite for authenticity, tranquility, and discovery. The numbers back this up: 84% of travelers plan to prioritize smaller, less crowded destinations in 2026, seeking out local experiences, better prices, and less hustle. KAYAK’s ranking of emerging destinations for 2026 is telling: Cork in Ireland leads the list, followed by Chongqing, Harbin, and Shenzhen in China, Zakynthos in Greece, Almaty in Kazakhstan, Hilo in the United States, Noumea in New Caledonia, La Romana in the Dominican Republic, and Luxembourg. The hashtag #hiddengems has seen content grow by more than 50% on TikTok in the past year, reflecting this trend toward discovery and uniqueness.
Well-being is also climbing the list of travel priorities. Over 68% of Gen Z and Millennials surveyed put mental disconnection at the top of their travel goals for 2026. The rise of “slow travel,” wellness retreats, and short, restorative getaways—dubbed “nanocations”—shows that quality is now trumping quantity. On TikTok, content tagged #wellnesstravel has surged by 150%, while #slowtravel has skyrocketed by nearly 330% in 2025. According to the KAYAK report, 62% of travelers are planning multiple short trips in 2026, favoring intense experiences over ticking off a long list of destinations.
Major events are another powerful motivator. A whopping 93% of Gen Z and Millennials intend to travel specifically to attend concerts, festivals, or sports events in 2026. Natural wonders are also shaping travel decisions: 63% of young travelers say that phenomena like the Northern Lights will guide their choices. For example, searches related to the aurora borealis spiked by an astonishing 2,300% on TikTok in the United States in mid-November 2025.
Flexibility, especially when it comes to payment, is a growing concern. With budgets under pressure, 24% of Gen Z and 25% of Millennials say that flexible payment options will directly affect how many trips they take in 2026. The ability to “book now, pay later” is becoming a deciding factor, reflecting broader economic uncertainties and a desire for greater control over spending.
All these trends are grounded in robust research. The KAYAK and TikTok report is based on a mix of data: billions of flight and hotel searches on KAYAK.fr and its associated brands, consumer surveys conducted in October 2025 and August 2024, and social media analysis of trending hashtags and content between January and November 2025. The methodologies adhere to the standards of the Market Research Society (MRS) and ESOMAR, ensuring ethical and accurate insights.
For the travel industry, this is a clarion call to adapt. The world’s largest travel search engine, KAYAK, is already helping millions of users plan seamless trips, and its findings indicate a future where travelers want more control, deeper experiences, and a sense of well-being. For employers like ManpowerGroup, AI is an opportunity rather than a threat—a way to devote more time to finding the right talent, provided there’s patience and a willingness to adapt.
As 2026 approaches, both the world of work and the world of travel are at a crossroads. AI is set to become an invisible but powerful companion, making our journeys—whether professional or personal—smarter, smoother, and more tailored than ever before. The real challenge, as Jonas Prising noted, will be giving ourselves the time to adapt, ensuring that technology enhances our humanity rather than replacing it.