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From Mexico City to Japan: Fora travel releases its 2026 hot list

2026 travel destinations to keep an eye on

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Mexico City
Ivon Gorgonio / Pexels

The annual Fora Hot List just dropped — highlighting the next big trends across up and coming destinations and which travel themes are expected to be prevalent throughout the year. The report reveals the trends shaping where and how society will explore the world next. Compared to other 2026 travel trend lists I’ve seen, Fora’s highlights some especially interesting travel trends that differ from other forecasts. I chatted with Henley Vazquez, Co-Founder at Fora to get the scoop on why some destinations like Mexico City made the 2026 hot list.

Mexico City

Mexico City
Ricky Esquivel / Pexels

Fora’s 2026 forecast shows a rising interest in travel to Mexico City. Soccer fans know CDMX is one of the host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but many are also flocking here for other reasons. From a vibrant food scene to the debut of new luxury hotels, travelers are rediscovering what makes Mexico City unique. Recent data from Fora shows a 150% increase in bookings to Mexico City within the past year.

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“Mexico City has been building momentum in its popularity for years, but right now it feels like it’s hitting a true inflection point — which is exactly why it earned a spot on Fora’s 2026 Hot List. A surge of luxury and lifestyle hotel openings is transforming the way travelers experience the city, offering depth, design, and amenities that didn’t exist before, and our bookings are up 150% year over year as a result. Whether it’s your first visit or your tenth, CDMX feels new and exciting,” says Vazquez.

Japan

Nikko Japan
AaronChenPS2 / Shutterstock

Skip the lines and crowds in Kyoto and Tokyo — data suggests travelers are looking for more peaceful experiences across Japan. “Japan is having a moment, but where we’re really excited – and why it landed on Fora’s 2026 Hot List – is looking beyond the most obvious stops. Kyoto is still extraordinary, but the reality of overtourism has changed the experience there, which is pushing travelers to explore places like Kanazawa, Karuizawa, and even Hokkaido, where you get the same cultural depth, nature, and food without the crowds. With Japan’s incredible rail system, it’s never been easier to travel to these lesser-known regions and it feels like a return to the Japan people imagine — serene, immersive, and deeply rewarding,” Vazquez shares. Fora bookings to more remote areas of Japan, like Hakone and Niseko, are up over 200% in the last year.

Beaches in South America

beach
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For travelers that love both the scene and natural beauty of Ibiza, Fora predicts South American beaches may be a new hotspot (such as those in Brazil and Uruguay).

“We’re predicting that South America’s beaches will define a new kind of honeymoon this year — romantic, understated, and refreshingly unexpected. Places like Santa Catarina, Brazil, and Carmelo, Uruguay offer beautiful, uncrowded coastlines paired with incredible food and a sense of relaxed, lived-in luxury, making them ideal for couples who want something intimate, adventurous, and entirely their own,” says Vazquez. Fora has seen a 111% increase in bookings to Brazil in the past year and a 192% increase in bookings to Uruguay in the past year.

Emily Caldwell
Emily Caldwell
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Emily is a Features Writer at The Manual, where she specializes in food, beverage, and travel content. She focuses on weaving… Read Full Bio
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