India, Dec. 31 -- Is your 2026 vision board also channelling your inner wanderluster? Are beach photos and flight tickets taking over your brain? What better way to set the tone for the new year than by planning those vacations early? According to travel influencers, app founders, hotel chains and cruise line leaders, the real story on travel in 2026 will revolve around planning smarter, slower and better.

The biggest problem right now is the travel misinformation everywhere. AI bots chasing numbers, influencers being paid to sell you so-called hidden gems that only look good from one camera angle, and paid reviews flooding the internet.

Pia Shivdasani, Co-Founder and Chief Marketing Officer of travel app NowYouKnow, tells HT Shop Now, ...