Skip to Content Facebook Feature Image

Cooler Destinations, Hotter Demand: Travellers Seek 'Coolcations' as Temperatures Rise

Business

Cooler Destinations, Hotter Demand: Travellers Seek 'Coolcations' as Temperatures Rise
Business

Business

Cooler Destinations, Hotter Demand: Travellers Seek 'Coolcations' as Temperatures Rise

2026-04-22 10:00 Last Updated At:10:15

  • Experts project that 2026 will likely be among the four hottest years on record, as climate change picks pace
  • Data shows 237% jump in searches for cooler destinations and escapes during summer 

SINGAPORE, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Earth is heating up: The global surface temperature has increased faster since 1970 than in any other 50-year period over at least the last 2000 years, with February 2026 recorded as the fifth-warmest, according to reports by the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S). Experts project that overall temperatures will continue to climb, as global warming and climate change accelerates. Already, travellers are starting to recognise the effects of climate change, as more swap the sun and sand for cooler weather and activities, a trend known as coolcations.

Ahead of Earth Day, new data from Trip.com Group shows a 74% year-on-year (YoY) increase in searches for cooler destinations and coolcations since the start of this year, as travellers seek to escape the heat, shifting their attention to places that offer more comfortable climates and less overcrowding experiences[1]. This figure is expected to peak further during the summer months, with a search volume growth of 237% from June to August last year compared to the same period in 2024[2].

Trip Moments, Trip.com's community platform for travellers to share experiences and seek inspiration, has also seen a 15.4% YoY increase in content last summer that spotlights cool summer getaway destinations, as well as tips and tricks to beat the heat[3]. Topics like "escape the heat", "summer escapes" and "cool summer retreat" are trending, as travellers prioritise experiences away from the crowds and sweltering heat, amid climate change concerns.

Rising Coolcation Destinations

With climate change affecting temperatures worldwide, travellers are adapting their itineraries in favour of temperate destinations that offer a respite from the raging heat, especially during the fiery summer months.

Global flight booking searches for European destinations such as Iceland, Norway, Slovenia, Switzerland and Wales are seeing significant increases this summer, compared to the same period last year, based on Trip.com Group's data. For example, Iceland, where temperatures average 11℃ in summer, has been growing in appeal as a destination, with global flight booking searches up by 85% YoY this summer[4]. Tours to Iceland and Norway are growing in demand, as international travellers seek cold weather activities and experiences such as sea-fishing, fjord cruises and glacier hikes.

Likewise, a similar trend is observed in Asia, where cooler destinations such as Inner Mongolia, Sapporo and Yunnan, are experiencing a growing interest from international travellers. Yunnan, known for its snow-capped mountains and landscapes, is a popular tourist destination, with comfortable temperatures ranging from 23 to 25℃ during the summer months. Global flight booking searches for its largest city, Kunming, have grown by 44% YoY this summer[5], while package tours offering bundled visits to Kunming, Lijiang, Shangri-La and other scenic locations in the area are also in demand.

Seeking Climate-Friendly Experiences

Coolcations are not just about escaping the heat, but also a sign that travellers are adapting their travel plans with environmental considerations in mind. Research shows that travellers are increasingly concerned with responsible tourism, with 47% prioritising environmental protection and 38% valuing cultural heritage preservation.

This Earth Day, travellers can look at minimising their footprint and contribute to local communities using these responsible travel tips from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), such as:

Destination

Mode of transportation

Accommodation

Community and culture

Consider fewer, longer trips and less popular locations. Establish a destination "basecamp" with day trips that require less packing and unpacking.

Choose lower carbon alternatives such as buses or trains. If traveling by car, the more passengers the better. If travelling by air, minimise carbon footprint by selecting non-stop flights and newer, more energy-efficient aircraft, travelling in economy, and packing light.

Book your travel through an agency that offers sustainable options verified by independent auditors such as the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) Accredited Certification Bodies, or B-Corp certification.

Learn about your destination's history, culture, customs, and etiquette. This includes religious practices, how to dress appropriately, local laws, and more.

Responsible Travel with Trip.com

Trip.com Group continues to expand its more sustainable travel options across its suite of products to help travellers make informed choices. Latest data from Trip.com shows that bookings for electric and hybrid car rentals on Trip.com have been growing at an average of over 10% month-on-month over the past year[6], while bookings made for hotels with sustainable labels have also seen an increase since October of last year[7].

As travellers become increasingly aware of their global footprint, they can leverage some of these features available on Trip.com to align their itineraries with climate and social goals:

Destination

Mode of transportation

Accommodation

Community and culture

Look for cool summer destinations or hidden-gem travel inspiration via Trip Moments, or Trip.Best, which offers theme-based destination recommendations such as the Cool Water Escapes List.

Create customised journeys with Trip.Planner which offers local travel tips including weather and estimated trip budget.

Choose lower-emission travel options offered on Trip.com, including lower-carbon flights and electric vehicles for car rentals and airport transfer services.

Book sustainable hotels certified by GSTC-accredited Certification Bodies. Launched in 2024, the "Certified Sustainable" feature on Trip.com helps travellers identify hotels with credible sustainability certification more easily.

Consider local activities that promote cultural heritage. For example, Trip.com Group's Country Retreats project across China offers local cultural activities such as paper cutting, bamboo weaving and leaf carving.

About Trip.com Group

Trip.com Group is a global travel service provider comprising of Trip.com, Ctrip, Skyscanner, and Qunar. Across its platforms, Trip.com Group helps travellers around the world make informed and cost-effective bookings for travel products and services and enables partners to connect their offerings with users through the aggregation of travel-related content and resources, and an advanced transaction platform consisting of apps, websites and 24/7 customer service centres. Founded in 1999 and listed on NASDAQ in 2003 and HKEX in 2021, Trip.com Group is on the mission "to pursue the perfect trip for a better world". Find out more about Trip.com Group here: group.trip.com.

Follow us on: X, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

[1] Based on Trip.com Group's search data from January 2026.

[2] Based on Trip.com Group's search data from June to August 2025, and June to August 2024.

[3] Based on data from Trip.com's community platform, Trip Moments, from June to August 2025, and June to August 2024.

[4] Based on Trip.com Group's search data from January 2026, for flights to Iceland from June to August 2026.

[5] Based on Trip.com Group's search data from January 2026, for flights to Kunming from June to August 2026.

[6] Based on Trip.com's booking data from April 2025 to March 2026.

[7] Based on Trip.com's booking data from October 2025.

 



  • Experts project that 2026 will likely be among the four hottest years on record, as climate change picks pace
  • Data shows 237% jump in searches for cooler destinations and escapes during summer 

More Images
Cooler Destinations, Hotter Demand: Travellers Seek 'Coolcations' as Temperatures Rise

Cooler Destinations, Hotter Demand: Travellers Seek 'Coolcations' as Temperatures Rise

Cooler Destinations, Hotter Demand: Travellers Seek 'Coolcations' as Temperatures Rise

Cooler Destinations, Hotter Demand: Travellers Seek 'Coolcations' as Temperatures Rise

Cooler Destinations, Hotter Demand: Travellers Seek 'Coolcations' as Temperatures Rise

Cooler Destinations, Hotter Demand: Travellers Seek 'Coolcations' as Temperatures Rise

Cooler Destinations, Hotter Demand: Travellers Seek 'Coolcations' as Temperatures Rise

Cooler Destinations, Hotter Demand: Travellers Seek 'Coolcations' as Temperatures Rise

Cooler Destinations, Hotter Demand: Travellers Seek 'Coolcations' as Temperatures Rise

Cooler Destinations, Hotter Demand: Travellers Seek 'Coolcations' as Temperatures Rise

SINGAPORE, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Earth is heating up: The global surface temperature has increased faster since 1970 than in any other 50-year period over at least the last 2000 years, with February 2026 recorded as the fifth-warmest, according to reports by the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S). Experts project that overall temperatures will continue to climb, as global warming and climate change accelerates. Already, travellers are starting to recognise the effects of climate change, as more swap the sun and sand for cooler weather and activities, a trend known as coolcations.

Ahead of Earth Day, new data from Trip.com Group shows a 74% year-on-year (YoY) increase in searches for cooler destinations and coolcations since the start of this year, as travellers seek to escape the heat, shifting their attention to places that offer more comfortable climates and less overcrowding experiences[1]. This figure is expected to peak further during the summer months, with a search volume growth of 237% from June to August last year compared to the same period in 2024[2].

Trip Moments, Trip.com's community platform for travellers to share experiences and seek inspiration, has also seen a 15.4% YoY increase in content last summer that spotlights cool summer getaway destinations, as well as tips and tricks to beat the heat[3]. Topics like "escape the heat", "summer escapes" and "cool summer retreat" are trending, as travellers prioritise experiences away from the crowds and sweltering heat, amid climate change concerns.

Rising Coolcation Destinations

With climate change affecting temperatures worldwide, travellers are adapting their itineraries in favour of temperate destinations that offer a respite from the raging heat, especially during the fiery summer months.

Global flight booking searches for European destinations such as Iceland, Norway, Slovenia, Switzerland and Wales are seeing significant increases this summer, compared to the same period last year, based on Trip.com Group's data. For example, Iceland, where temperatures average 11℃ in summer, has been growing in appeal as a destination, with global flight booking searches up by 85% YoY this summer[4]. Tours to Iceland and Norway are growing in demand, as international travellers seek cold weather activities and experiences such as sea-fishing, fjord cruises and glacier hikes.

Likewise, a similar trend is observed in Asia, where cooler destinations such as Inner Mongolia, Sapporo and Yunnan, are experiencing a growing interest from international travellers. Yunnan, known for its snow-capped mountains and landscapes, is a popular tourist destination, with comfortable temperatures ranging from 23 to 25℃ during the summer months. Global flight booking searches for its largest city, Kunming, have grown by 44% YoY this summer[5], while package tours offering bundled visits to Kunming, Lijiang, Shangri-La and other scenic locations in the area are also in demand.

Seeking Climate-Friendly Experiences

Coolcations are not just about escaping the heat, but also a sign that travellers are adapting their travel plans with environmental considerations in mind. Research shows that travellers are increasingly concerned with responsible tourism, with 47% prioritising environmental protection and 38% valuing cultural heritage preservation.

This Earth Day, travellers can look at minimising their footprint and contribute to local communities using these responsible travel tips from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), such as:

Destination

Mode of transportation

Accommodation

Community and culture

Consider fewer, longer trips and less popular locations. Establish a destination "basecamp" with day trips that require less packing and unpacking.

Choose lower carbon alternatives such as buses or trains. If traveling by car, the more passengers the better. If travelling by air, minimise carbon footprint by selecting non-stop flights and newer, more energy-efficient aircraft, travelling in economy, and packing light.

Book your travel through an agency that offers sustainable options verified by independent auditors such as the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) Accredited Certification Bodies, or B-Corp certification.

Learn about your destination's history, culture, customs, and etiquette. This includes religious practices, how to dress appropriately, local laws, and more.

Responsible Travel with Trip.com

Trip.com Group continues to expand its more sustainable travel options across its suite of products to help travellers make informed choices. Latest data from Trip.com shows that bookings for electric and hybrid car rentals on Trip.com have been growing at an average of over 10% month-on-month over the past year[6], while bookings made for hotels with sustainable labels have also seen an increase since October of last year[7].

As travellers become increasingly aware of their global footprint, they can leverage some of these features available on Trip.com to align their itineraries with climate and social goals:

Destination

Mode of transportation

Accommodation

Community and culture

Look for cool summer destinations or hidden-gem travel inspiration via Trip Moments, or Trip.Best, which offers theme-based destination recommendations such as the Cool Water Escapes List.

Create customised journeys with Trip.Planner which offers local travel tips including weather and estimated trip budget.

Choose lower-emission travel options offered on Trip.com, including lower-carbon flights and electric vehicles for car rentals and airport transfer services.

Book sustainable hotels certified by GSTC-accredited Certification Bodies. Launched in 2024, the "Certified Sustainable" feature on Trip.com helps travellers identify hotels with credible sustainability certification more easily.

Consider local activities that promote cultural heritage. For example, Trip.com Group's Country Retreats project across China offers local cultural activities such as paper cutting, bamboo weaving and leaf carving.

Destination

Mode of transportation

Accommodation

Community and culture

Look for cool summer destinations or hidden-gem travel inspiration via Trip Moments, or Trip.Best, which offers theme-based destination recommendations such as the Cool Water Escapes List.

Create customised journeys with Trip.Planner which offers local travel tips including weather and estimated trip budget.

Choose lower-emission travel options offered on Trip.com, including lower-carbon flights and electric vehicles for car rentals and airport transfer services.

Book sustainable hotels certified by GSTC-accredited Certification Bodies. Launched in 2024, the "Certified Sustainable" feature on Trip.com helps travellers identify hotels with credible sustainability certification more easily.

Consider local activities that promote cultural heritage. For example, Trip.com Group's Country Retreats project across China offers local cultural activities such as paper cutting, bamboo weaving and leaf carving.

About Trip.com Group

Trip.com Group is a global travel service provider comprising of Trip.com, Ctrip, Skyscanner, and Qunar. Across its platforms, Trip.com Group helps travellers around the world make informed and cost-effective bookings for travel products and services and enables partners to connect their offerings with users through the aggregation of travel-related content and resources, and an advanced transaction platform consisting of apps, websites and 24/7 customer service centres. Founded in 1999 and listed on NASDAQ in 2003 and HKEX in 2021, Trip.com Group is on the mission "to pursue the perfect trip for a better world". Find out more about Trip.com Group here: group.trip.com.

Follow us on: X, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

[1] Based on Trip.com Group's search data from January 2026.

[2] Based on Trip.com Group's search data from June to August 2025, and June to August 2024.

[3] Based on data from Trip.com's community platform, Trip Moments, from June to August 2025, and June to August 2024.

[4] Based on Trip.com Group's search data from January 2026, for flights to Iceland from June to August 2026.

[5] Based on Trip.com Group's search data from January 2026, for flights to Kunming from June to August 2026.

[6] Based on Trip.com's booking data from April 2025 to March 2026.

[7] Based on Trip.com's booking data from October 2025.

[1] Based on Trip.com Group's search data from January 2026.

[2] Based on Trip.com Group's search data from June to August 2025, and June to August 2024.

[3] Based on data from Trip.com's community platform, Trip Moments, from June to August 2025, and June to August 2024.

[4] Based on Trip.com Group's search data from January 2026, for flights to Iceland from June to August 2026.

[5] Based on Trip.com Group's search data from January 2026, for flights to Kunming from June to August 2026.

[6] Based on Trip.com's booking data from April 2025 to March 2026.

[7] Based on Trip.com's booking data from October 2025.

 

** This press release is distributed by PR Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **

Cooler Destinations, Hotter Demand: Travellers Seek 'Coolcations' as Temperatures Rise

Cooler Destinations, Hotter Demand: Travellers Seek 'Coolcations' as Temperatures Rise

Cooler Destinations, Hotter Demand: Travellers Seek 'Coolcations' as Temperatures Rise

Cooler Destinations, Hotter Demand: Travellers Seek 'Coolcations' as Temperatures Rise

Cooler Destinations, Hotter Demand: Travellers Seek 'Coolcations' as Temperatures Rise

Cooler Destinations, Hotter Demand: Travellers Seek 'Coolcations' as Temperatures Rise

Cooler Destinations, Hotter Demand: Travellers Seek 'Coolcations' as Temperatures Rise

Cooler Destinations, Hotter Demand: Travellers Seek 'Coolcations' as Temperatures Rise

Cooler Destinations, Hotter Demand: Travellers Seek 'Coolcations' as Temperatures Rise

Cooler Destinations, Hotter Demand: Travellers Seek 'Coolcations' as Temperatures Rise

  • Schaeffler and VinDynamics sign a strategic partnership to foster joint research and technology development for advancing humanoid robotics
  • Combining strengths for innovation: Schaeffler's expertise in high-performance actuators with VinDynamics' cutting-edge robotics capabilities
  • Schaeffler will supply high-precision actuators designed for humanoid robots for real-world deployment and data-driven optimization
  • HANOI, Vietnam, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Schaeffler, a leading Motion Technology Company, and VinDynamics, a pioneer in humanoid robotics backed by Vingroup, have signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a strategic partnership focused on joint research and technology development, where Schaeffler will supply the key components to VinDynamics for the production of humanoid robots. The signing took place in Hanoi, Vietnam, marking the first cooperation with a humanoid company in Southeast Asia, in addition to the worldwide partners Schaeffler has.

    Strategic collaboration to drive humanoid robotics production

    Signed by Prof. Han Boon Siew, Head of Humanoid Asia/Pacific, the two companies will collaborate on the research, development and optimization of key components of humanoid robots, including actuator systems and related motion technology components under this partnership. The actuator components, supplied by Schaeffler, are critical parts of humanoid robots to produce precise, reliable movement. VinDynamics will conduct technical assessments and optimization of its control software to ensure seamless compatibility and effective integration with Schaeffler actuator systems.

    Leveraging data to enhance design and performance

    To enhance system performance and reliability, the collaboration extends beyond production to provision of advice and support in product simulation and validation. VinDynamics will share operational product data of the supplied actuators with Schaeffler. This enables Schaeffler to further improve actuator designs and performance, as well as to advance its services including condition monitoring and predictive maintenance.

    Strengthening Schaeffler's commitment to humanoid robotics

    VinDynamics' strengths in robotics research, system design and integration, combined with Schaeffler's innovative expertise in the field of motion technology, sets a strong foundation for driving meaningful innovations and setting new technological benchmarks.

    Maximilian Fiedler, Regional CEO Asia/Pacific of Schaeffler, said: "Pioneering applications clearly demonstrates our spirit for innovation. VinDynamics is an inspiring technology partner with a clear and ambitious vision for humanoid robotics. By combining Schaeffler's decades of expertise in actuator and drive technologies with VinDynamics' capabilities in developing next-generation robotic systems, we are confident that this partnership will deliver significant technological advancements and contribute to shaping how humanoid robots are deployed in the future."

    Mr. La Manh Hung, President of VinDynamics, said: "We are honored to collaborate with Schaeffler, one of the world's foremost motion technology companies with a distinguished legacy of innovation and engineering excellence. This partnership represents not only a convergence of technological capabilities but also a strategic alignment of vision, as both organizations are committed to shaping the future of humanoid robotics. We believe that by combining our respective strengths, this collaboration will unlock transformative opportunities and accelerate the transition of humanoid robots from research environments to impactful real-world applications across both industrial and everyday settings."

    Schaeffler Group – We pioneer motion
    The Schaeffler Group has been driving forward groundbreaking inventions and developments in the field of motion technology for 80 years. With innovative technologies, products, and services for electric mobility, CO₂-efficient drives, chassis solutions and renewable energies, the company is a reliable partner for making motion more efficient, intelligent, and sustainable – over the entire life cycle. Schaeffler describes its comprehensive range of products and services by means of eight product families: From bearing solutions and all types of linear guidance systems through to repair and monitoring services. Schaeffler is with around 110,000 employees and more than 250 locations in 55 countries, one of the world's largest family-owned companies and one of Germany's most innovative companies.

HANOI, Vietnam, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Schaeffler, a leading Motion Technology Company, and VinDynamics, a pioneer in humanoid robotics backed by Vingroup, have signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a strategic partnership focused on joint research and technology development, where Schaeffler will supply the key components to VinDynamics for the production of humanoid robots. The signing took place in Hanoi, Vietnam, marking the first cooperation with a humanoid company in Southeast Asia, in addition to the worldwide partners Schaeffler has.

Strategic collaboration to drive humanoid robotics production

Signed by Prof. Han Boon Siew, Head of Humanoid Asia/Pacific, the two companies will collaborate on the research, development and optimization of key components of humanoid robots, including actuator systems and related motion technology components under this partnership. The actuator components, supplied by Schaeffler, are critical parts of humanoid robots to produce precise, reliable movement. VinDynamics will conduct technical assessments and optimization of its control software to ensure seamless compatibility and effective integration with Schaeffler actuator systems.

Leveraging data to enhance design and performance

To enhance system performance and reliability, the collaboration extends beyond production to provision of advice and support in product simulation and validation. VinDynamics will share operational product data of the supplied actuators with Schaeffler. This enables Schaeffler to further improve actuator designs and performance, as well as to advance its services including condition monitoring and predictive maintenance.

Strengthening Schaeffler's commitment to humanoid robotics

VinDynamics' strengths in robotics research, system design and integration, combined with Schaeffler's innovative expertise in the field of motion technology, sets a strong foundation for driving meaningful innovations and setting new technological benchmarks.

Maximilian Fiedler, Regional CEO Asia/Pacific of Schaeffler, said: "Pioneering applications clearly demonstrates our spirit for innovation. VinDynamics is an inspiring technology partner with a clear and ambitious vision for humanoid robotics. By combining Schaeffler's decades of expertise in actuator and drive technologies with VinDynamics' capabilities in developing next-generation robotic systems, we are confident that this partnership will deliver significant technological advancements and contribute to shaping how humanoid robots are deployed in the future."

Mr. La Manh Hung, President of VinDynamics, said: "We are honored to collaborate with Schaeffler, one of the world's foremost motion technology companies with a distinguished legacy of innovation and engineering excellence. This partnership represents not only a convergence of technological capabilities but also a strategic alignment of vision, as both organizations are committed to shaping the future of humanoid robotics. We believe that by combining our respective strengths, this collaboration will unlock transformative opportunities and accelerate the transition of humanoid robots from research environments to impactful real-world applications across both industrial and everyday settings."

Schaeffler Group – We pioneer motion
The Schaeffler Group has been driving forward groundbreaking inventions and developments in the field of motion technology for 80 years. With innovative technologies, products, and services for electric mobility, CO₂-efficient drives, chassis solutions and renewable energies, the company is a reliable partner for making motion more efficient, intelligent, and sustainable – over the entire life cycle. Schaeffler describes its comprehensive range of products and services by means of eight product families: From bearing solutions and all types of linear guidance systems through to repair and monitoring services. Schaeffler is with around 110,000 employees and more than 250 locations in 55 countries, one of the world's largest family-owned companies and one of Germany's most innovative companies.

** This press release is distributed by PR Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **

Schaeffler and VinDynamics sign strategic partnership to advance technologies for humanoid Robots

Schaeffler and VinDynamics sign strategic partnership to advance technologies for humanoid Robots

Recommended Articles