Looking for inspiration for your 2018 travel? Booking.com 
combined customer insights from over 128 million real guest reviews with research from 19,000 travelers across 26 countries around the world to reveal the biggest travel predictions for 2018.
New Tech Frontiers: Immersive experiences will reach the next level in 2018, with travelers looking to technology to help better understand a destination or accommodation before they book. Artificial intelligence and digital technology are helping 
consumers turn the corner when it comes to smart destination intuition, reshaping the way we research, book and experience travel. Almost a third (29%) of global travelers say they are comfortable letting a computer plan an upcoming trip based on data from their previous travel history. Over six in 10 (64%) of travelers say they would like to ‘try before they buy’ with a virtual reality preview.
From Dream to Reality: 2018 is the year to dream big as 45% of travelers have a travel bucket list in mind and the majority of those (82%) will aim to tick one or more destinations off their list in the coming year. Most likely to feature on a bucket list is 
seeing one of the wonders of the world, as almost half of travelers (47%) will look to tick this off in 2018. Over a third (35%) yearn to tantalise their taste buds by trying a local delicacy, 34% want to head to an island paradise and 34% are thrill seekers wanting to visit a world famous theme park.
Retro Reboot: As well as new experiences, travelers will be revisiting their favorite childhood memories as part of their trips in 2018. Blending the future with the past, next year’s travelers will be inspired to return to previously loved destinations and 
explore them in a whole new way. A third of travelers (34%) will consider a holiday they experienced as a child for 2018.
Pop Culture Pilgrimage: In 2018, television shows, films, sport and social media in particular look set to have an increasingly significant sway over booking decisions, as travelers turn to pop culture for their travel inspiration. Reading blogs or watching YouTuber recommendations will spark ideas for four in ten (39%) travelers and on screen locations from television, film or music videos will win over 36% of travelers in the coming year. More than a fifth (22%) of travelers will be tempted by travelling for a 
major sporting event, with 43% of those considering a summer of football in Russia.
Live Like a Local, Not With One: In 2018, rental homes are going to be particularly popular – not just for travelers looking to stay in one, but also home owners who are thinking of inviting others to stay in their own abode. One in three travelers (33%) say they’d prefer to stay in a holiday rental (a holiday home or apartment) over a hotel and one in five (21%) would consider listing their home on a travel accommodation site.