When an invitation to a destination wedding, milestone birthday, or family reunion lands in the inbox, most travelers used to treat it as a quick weekend obligation—fly in for the ceremony, toast the guests of honor, and head straight back to the airport. This year, however, vacationers are turning those gatherings into full-blown personal adventures.
According to American Express Travel’s 2026 Global Travel Trends Report, two-thirds of global respondents (66%) plan to take a trip specifically to celebrate a milestone for other people in 2026. Based on survey data from travelers across the United States, Australia, Canada, India, Japan, Mexico, and the United Kingdom, the findings show that international wanderlust remains strong overall, with 80% of respondents planning to take the same number or more international trips compared to last year.
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“Our 2026 Global Travel Trends Report shows that travelers are being incredibly intentional about how they spend their vacation time this year,” said Audrey Hendley, President of American Express Travel, in the report’s release.
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Rather than rushing home once the party ends, travelers are embracing a trend American Express calls “Miles on Milestones.” Among global respondents taking a milestone trip this year, 82% are building buffer days around the main celebration—and 72% of those travelers are extending their stay by at least three to four extra days. While spending more quality time with family and friends tops the list of reasons for tacking on extra days (51%), travelers are equally motivated by the chance to explore a new destination (45%) and experience the location on their own terms (45%). For younger travelers, the appeal is even stronger: 84% of Millennials and Gen Z surveyed say milestone trips give them the freedom to visit new places they wouldn’t normally prioritize.
‘Soft Travel’ Has Taken Over as a Top Travel Trend in 2026
And once those extra itinerary days are locked in, travelers—especially Millennials and Gen Z—are using the free time to eat their way through town via “Snackpacking.” More than 75% of Millennials and Gen Z surveyed say they are likely to seek out a food item that has gone viral during a trip, while 89% say it is important to leave room in their schedule specifically to enjoy local snacks.
Instead of relying solely on formal sit-down reservations, travelers are tracking down trending regional bites and supporting local businesses (45%) at street food carts (69%), neighborhood bakeries (53%), and local grocery stores (50%).
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Between gathering with loved ones for major life moments and carving out extra days to hunt down viral bakery treats and street food favorites, travelers are proving that the best trips combine meaningful connection with plenty of room for spontaneous flavor.
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This story was originally published by Parade on Nov 13, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
