A combination of sweat and tears blurred Josue De Paz's view of the Sydney Harbour Bridge as he crossed the finish line of the 2025 Sydney Marathon. He had traveled nearly 26 hours to run 26.2 miles on the opposite side of the world.
De Paz is part of a growing travel trend called "sweat-jetting," in which people travel to pursue fitness and athletics or to attend exercise retreats. TripAdvisor's Trendcast included it as the top travel trend in 2026, and Accor Hotels has reported growing interest in "workout vacations."
For runners, marathons have become a different way to experience a new country. De Paz has completed marathons in Chicago, Tokyo, and Sydney, and he has trained for marathons in several other cities. "It's been my absolute favorite way to get to know a city in a more intimate way," he says.
But this travel trend isn't only about pushing yourself to the max. In Hoi An, Vietnam, Emma Sothern, a yoga and mindfulness teacher, leads yoga retreats that present a different physical challenge. She says many guests are looking for stillness and a chance to connect with their bodies outside their usual high-powered gym sessions.
Cycling has become another popular way to explore the world. Dylan Reynolds, founder and CEO of cycling tour operator Ride and Seek, says interest in long-distance cycling tours has grown significantly since the company started 15 years ago. Much like running in a destination, cycling allows travelers to experience a country in a different, slower way.
Reynolds believes that combining riding with cultural immersion, gastronomic discovery, and historical context gives travelers a real sense of place. The journey itself also matters: cyclists experience the landscape unfolding gradually rather than simply arriving at the next destination. For many riders, active travel has become a lasting way of traveling rather than simply a trend.