Offline Is the New Luxury: Why Tech-Free Travel Is Emerging in 2026

Image: Adam Firman

Seems all tourism trend predictions for 2026 are about AI. AI itinerary builders. AI customer service. AI personalisation. AI everywhere.

But here’s the interesting thing. While we debate how AI will transform our tourism, many travellers are quietly moving in the opposite direction.

This is what I’m hearing here in the US. It comes up on chair lifts, at dinner parties and in conversations with people who travel often. It’s what Condé Nast, Vogue and major travel publications are writing about.

As technology becomes more powerful, many travellers are actively choosing trips designed around being offline and slowing down.

Digital detoxes

One of the clearest examples is the rise of digital detox retreats. What used to be a niche wellness offering is now moving into the mainstream. Properties are no longer competing on the speed of their Wi-Fi but proudly advertising the option for the absence of it. Guests are encouraged to put phones away and exist without constant notifications. Increasingly, this kind of disconnection is being framed as a luxury rather than an inconvenience.

Reading retreats

Alongside this is the growth of reading retreats. These are not traditional book clubs transplanted into a hotel. They are slow, intentional escapes where the primary activity is simply reading. Travellers gather in quiet settings with minimal structure, optional discussion and plenty of uninterrupted time to turn pages. Vogue has described these retreats as a response to collective burnout and the craving for focus in an overstimulated world.

Grandma hobbies

Then there is what some are calling the rise of “grandma hobbies” as travel experiences. Knitting, crochet, fibre arts and other traditional crafts are becoming the centrepiece of retreats and short breaks. These experiences blend creativity, mindfulness and community. People travel to learn a skill, make something with their hands and share conversation with others who value a slower pace.

What is driving all of this is not nostalgia. It is fatigue. Travellers are tired of being always on. Many are craving holidays that feel restorative rather than performative. Some trend analysts are now calling offline time the new luxury, where opting out of constant connectivity is both desirable and aspirational.

For accommodation providers, this shift matters.

These trends lend themselves to low and shoulder season travel. Quiet months suddenly become ideal for reading weekends, creative retreats or tech-free escapes. They require relatively low investment, thoughtful curation and a willingness to market slowness as a strength.

How luxury accommodation can lean into digital detox travel

As travellers actively seek ways to switch off, luxury accommodation is perfectly placed to lead the digital detox movement. Not by banning technology, but by making offline moments so appealing that guests happily put their phones down.

Here are a few ways you could lean into it it for your guests.

Design travel packages that cater to switching off

Digital detox works best when it’s woven into the stay, not left to chance. Consider creating dedicated “switch-off” packages that bundle together offline-friendly experiences. 

Create spaces designed for lingering

A thoughtfully styled book nook can be more powerful than a “no phones” sign. Think comfortable chairs, soft lighting, a view worth staring at, and a curated selection of books that invite guests to slow down. Travel writing, nature, design, food and local history all work beautifully in this setting.

Introduce a book exchange with a story

A simple book exchange spot encourages guests to leave a little piece of themselves behind. Add a short note inviting guests to write their name, where they’re from, or when they stayed. Over time, it becomes a quiet record of shared experiences and a lovely conversation starter.

Curate coffee table books that reflect place

Luxury guests notice the details. A carefully chosen collection of large-format books in shared spaces or suites, covering local landscapes, art, culture, architecture or cuisine, reinforces a sense of place and gives guests something tactile to enjoy between cups of coffee or glasses of wine.

Elevate "analogue rituals

Offer beautifully printed maps, walking guides or suggested itineraries instead of QR codes. A leather-bound guest journal in each room for reflections. A daily weather card left at breakfast. Small, thoughtful touches signal that slowing down is encouraged.

Invite guests into a shared, slow-making ritual

A communal knitting basket in a lounge or common area is a simple but powerful way to encourage guests to slow down. Stock it with yarn, needles and an easy pattern, perhaps contributing squares to a shared blanket or throw. Add a small note explaining the story behind it and where the finished piece will live. Guests can knit a few rows, a square, or simply watch others create. It’s tactile, calming and quietly social, the kind of experience people remember long after checkout.

Design experiences that don’t need a screen

From guided nature walks and sunset tastings to fireside storytelling or stargazing evenings, these experiences gently replace scrolling with presence. The key is making them feel special, not scheduled.

Frame it as a luxury, not a limitation

The language matters. This isn’t about “less tech”. It’s about more calm, more connection and more immersion. When digital detox is positioned as part of the experience, guests feel like they’re gaining something, not giving something up.

In a world of AI itineraries and always-on devices, the real luxury for many travellers in 2026 is space to think, read, notice and simply be. Tourism businesses that design for that mindset won’t just meet a trend, they’ll create memories guests genuinely want to return to.

While AI will undoubtedly continue to reshape parts of the tourism industry, it is worth remembering that travel is ultimately about how people want to feel. Right now, a growing number of travellers want to feel calm, focused, connected and rested. Sometimes the most innovative move is not adding more technology, but creating space to step away from it.

Join the conversation about this topic on LinkedIn, and learn more about how to attract the 'Slow Travel' market in this article. Get in touch for a chat if you'd like to build a strategy and turn it into marketing campaigns!

Further Reading

Reading Retreats:

• Page Traveller article
• Silent Book Club article
• Conde Nast Traveler article

Knitting Retreats:

• Stolen Stitches article
• South Pacific Journey Knit Retreats