Goin’ to Kansas City: Tourist Interest Rises by 14 Percent
Local residents can expect to see a lot more tourist faces around the city in 2026.
“Kansas City is seeing a 14 percent rise in interest and ranks among the top 50 trending destinations for Americans, fueled by a combination of its powerhouse football team, heightened celebrity buzz and its role as a host city for the upcoming world soccer tournament,” according to a new report from travel search engine Kayak.
The 2026 Travel Trends Forecast signals a year of exploration driven by increasing travel interest, lower airfares and emerging global hotspots. Kayak found that travel interest is climbing (up 9 percent) while airfares are easing (down 3 percent domestically and 10 percent internationally), setting the stage for a busy year of more-affordable trips.
“Lower fares and rising interest mean travelers can stretch their budgets further in 2026,” a company spokesperson said. “Couple lower fares with new routes expanding access to historically under-the-radar cities, and you’ve got travelers finding more reasons and more ways to explore the world.”
Seven of the top-10 trending destinations are located in Eastern Europe, where affordability, cultural depth and improved connectivity are driving record interest. Among the fastest-rising destinations are:
- Prague, Czech Republic, up 180 percent
- Sofia, Bulgaria, up 136 percent
- Krakow, Poland, up 106 percent
- Budapest, Hungary, up 86 percent
- Tirana, Albania, up 66 percent
- Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, up 62 percent
The world’s fastest-growing destination for Americans is Christchurch, New Zealand, with 194 percent year-over-year increase in flight interest. And with new nonstop service making Christchurch feel closer than ever, travelers are jumping at the opportunity to explore the South Island.
Pop culture, sports and global events are leaving an unmistakable imprint on travel behavior. Milan is experiencing a 15 percent lift in flight searches as excitement builds ahead of the 2026 Winter Games. Las Vegas is back in a big way. After a softer 2025, the city has rebounded with an 18 percent increase in flight interest and ranks among the top 50 cities, propelled by new entertainment residencies, major events and competitive fares.
–Alan Goforth
