According to Rome2Rio’s 2026 Travel & Mobility Trends report, Asia-Pacific is set to be one of the most dynamic travel regions in 2026, driven by easier entry, major transport upgrades and a clear shift in how travellers choose to move. Visa liberalisation and reopened borders are unlocking huge regional flows, particularly into China and Southeast Asia, while large-scale infrastructure projects are reshaping mobility across the region. New metro systems, rail links and ferry routes are making multi-stop, surface-first travel easier, cheaper and more appealing, especially for travellers looking to avoid short-haul flights and airport friction.
China’s reopening continues to ripple across APAC, boosting regional travel demand and cross-border connectivity. Southeast Asia is benefiting from both leisure and religious travel, with pilgrimage-driven spikes around major festivals and destinations. Central Asia is also emerging as a breakout sub-region, with Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan attracting travellers seeking culture, history and adventure beyond traditional tourist circuits. These destinations are increasingly explored via trains, buses and shared ground transport rather than flights, reflecting a broader regional preference for predictable, lower-stress journeys.
Infrastructure is a major catalyst. The report points to transformative projects such as the Mumbai Metro and airport upgrades, Ho Chi Minh City’s Metro, the UAE–Oman rail link, and new ferry connections like the Qatar–Bahrain route, all of which are reducing friction and encouraging regional loops rather than point-to-point trips. Indonesia is leading in biometric travel corridors, cutting queues and paperwork at airports and smoothing arrivals, a signal of where seamless travel in APAC is heading. Combined, these developments are making it easier for travellers to string together multiple destinations within a single country or region without relying on flights
Beyond APAC, these patterns echo globally. Rome2Rio notes that searches for smaller cities are up 35% worldwide, as travellers chase “hidden gem” destinations promoted by social platforms rather than headline capitals. Scenic rail and ferry routes, popularised by platforms like TikTok, are becoming a travel flex, while overnight transport such as sleeper trains and night buses is gaining traction as travellers plan around daylight instead of timetables. Short-haul flights are increasingly deprioritised in regions with strong surface networks, reinforcing the idea that mobility itself is now part of the travel experience, not just a means to an end.
Technology is also reshaping planning behaviour. AI is playing a growing role in surfacing routes, comparing modes and simplifying complex itineraries, but the report stresses that trust still comes from human-verified transport data. In markets like APAC — where schedules, seasonal services and local nuances vary widely; platforms that combine AI scale with on-the-ground accuracy are best positioned to win traveller confidence.
Check out the full report here.
