European borders are shifting to digital, air passenger rights are tightening, and certain destinations are reshuffling the cards of global tourism. Here are the travel news that are concretely changing the preparation for a trip at the end of the year.
Digital Borders in Europe: EES, ETIAS, and Biometric Checks
The Entry/Exit System (EES) marks an operational turning point for border checks at the external borders of the Schengen area. Passport stamping gives way to the collection of a facial image and fingerprints. The infrastructure, managed by eu-LISA, relies on a central database connected to the national systems of each member state.
In practice, travelers from third countries should expect potentially longer processing times during the first weeks of deployment. Airports that have not yet upgraded their gates risk creating bottlenecks, especially during peak times.
On the ETIAS side, caution is advised. No firm launch date has been set, despite announcements suggesting a possible opening at the end of 2026. Third-party sites claiming to sell the authorization are scams. Only an official announcement from European authorities will confirm the actual timeline. We recommend not providing any personal data on these unofficial platforms.
Travelers following the news on Voyager en Découverte will find regular updates on these regulatory developments, useful for anticipating the formalities before departing for Europe.
Air Passenger Rights: What the New European Rules Change
The European Parliament approved in 2026 a revamp of the rules for the care of air passengers. The application date set by EUR-Lex is October 22, 2026. Two points deserve special attention.
The first concerns bookings through intermediaries (online agencies, comparison sites, tour operators). The new provisions require a full refund including intermediary fees in case of cancellation by the airline. The intermediary must specify the refund terms at the time of booking, which ends the frequent opacity on this subject.
The second point concerns practical implementation. Low-cost airlines operating on tight margins will need to adapt their complaint handling processes. For travelers, the recommendation remains to keep all booking evidence, including exchanges with intermediary platforms.
- Systematically check the refund conditions displayed by the intermediary at the time of booking
- Keep booking confirmations, invoices, and email exchanges for at least one year after the flight
- In case of a dispute, submit the complaint to both the airline and the intermediary simultaneously, invoking the applicable European regulation
Travel Destinations to Watch: Norway, Thailand, and European Islands
Outside the regulatory framework, several destinations are capturing travelers’ attention for the coming months. Norway is attracting a growing audience outside the high summer season. Its fjord landscapes remain accessible in the fall, with significantly lower accommodation rates and reduced crowds.
Thailand maintains its position among the most sought-after destinations, driven by a favorable price-quality ratio for European travelers.
In Europe, the Spanish islands (Canaries, Balearics) continue to capture a significant share of tourism. Gran Canaria, for example, is positioning itself as a year-round destination, combining beaches, volcanic landscapes, and UNESCO-listed sites.
For France, domestic tourism remains dynamic. French travelers increasingly favor short stays in the regions, with a rise in the quality of rural accommodations and strong demand for outdoor experiences.
Set-Jetting and Niche Tourism: Trends Redefining Flows
Set-jetting (traveling to filming locations of series and movies) is becoming a lasting part of booking habits. Series like “The White Lotus” or “Emily in Paris” generate spikes in searches for the relevant destinations in the weeks following the release of new seasons.
This phenomenon is changing the strategies of local tourist offices, which now negotiate in advance with audiovisual productions to increase the visibility of their territory.
- Secondary destinations (outside capitals) benefit more, as the filming location becomes the main reason for travel
- Booking spikes occur within two to four weeks following the airing of a significant episode
Beyond set-jetting, niche tourism (birdwatching, technical diving, volcanic hiking) is gaining ground against traditional circuits. These segments generate longer stays and higher local spending, explaining the growing interest from host countries.
The end of the year promises to be pivotal for travelers preparing their trips to Europe. Between the digitization of borders, the strengthening of passenger rights, and the evolution of popular destinations, each booking benefits from being preceded by minimal regulatory monitoring. Travel habits are changing quickly, and so are the formalities.
