This Mountain Town Is the No. 1 U.S. Trending Destination for 2026, According to Expedia

"Big Sky's recognition as the top trending destination underscores what locals and longtime visitors already know. This is a place where adventure and awe-inspiring landscapes come together in a way that's truly special. We work hard to balance the benefits of tourism with our responsibility to protect what makes Big Sky unique, ensuring the visitor economy thrives while listening to and supporting the residents who call this place home."

"Expedia's Unpack '26 travel trends report uses real-time data from millions of daily searches across Expedia's site and app to help track where people have gone, and where they plan to go soon. For the year ahead, no destination is seeing more interest than Big Sky, Montana, with searches up 92 percent."

"Big Sky's growth is supported by new hotel openings like the One&Only Moonlight Basin, which started welcoming guests in November, offering a secluded getaway with its own heated gondola right to the mountain. The town also welcomed the Montage Big Sky, which has quickly become a go-to destination for discerning travelers."

Expedia's 2026 Destination of the Year report analyzes real-time search data from millions of daily queries to identify emerging travel trends. Big Sky, Montana ranks as the top trending destination with a 92% increase in searches. The surge reflects the town's appeal as an adventure destination with stunning landscapes, complemented by new luxury accommodations including the One&Only Moonlight Basin and Montage Big Sky. Local leadership emphasizes balancing tourism growth with community preservation. Other trending destinations include Okinawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy; Phu Quoc, Vietnam; and Savoie, France, indicating diverse global travel interests for the coming year.

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