Travelers today are getting outside their comfort zones and finding pleasures in the unknown and we, as innkeepers, have adapted with ingenuity and creativity to create a safe and comfortable lodging experience.
Many are turning away from impersonal, faceless stays and seeking out places where real conversations and genuine hospitality still matter. Bed and breakfasts and independent inns offer what they want most: a chance to meet locals, hear stories, and feel part of a place. For them, travel isn’t just about checking in, it’s about experiencing moments that are authentic, personal, and impossible to replicate.
Some top Travel Trends for 2026
Quiet over everything
It means welcoming guests into a calm, unhurried home where stillness is part of the experience. Hospitality is shown through peaceful mornings, gentle conversations, thoughtful details, and spaces designed for deep rest. There’s no rush, no noise, no intrusion—just comfort, warmth, and the feeling of being truly looked after. Quiet isn’t an absence of care; it’s the way care is most deeply felt.
Roads over runways
An adventurous road trip along Oregon’s backroads is a journey away from the hurry and into the unexpected. Narrow ribbons of pavement wind through high desert, dense forests, and wide-open ranchlands, where cell service fades and curiosity takes the wheel. Old barns lean into the wind, small towns appear just long enough for a cup of coffee or a conversation, and gravel turnouts lead to rivers, trailheads, or views you didn’t know you were looking for.
Miles pass quietly, broken by the sound of tires on gravel and the rush of wind through open windows. Every bend offers a sense of discovery—hidden canyons, weathered bridges, sun-bleached signs pointing nowhere and everywhere at once. It’s less about the destination and more about the freedom of wandering, where Oregon reveals itself slowly, honestly, and on its own terms.
Off-grid over overcrowded hotspots
Ask an Innkeeper—because we want you to experience Oregon the way we do. From quiet backroads and scenic drives to hidden trailheads, local cafés, and seasonal events, we’re happy to share the places and moments that make this region special. Whether you’re planning an adventurous day out or a slow, restorative afternoon, we’re here to answer your questions, offer thoughtful suggestions, and help you discover an authentic Oregon experience—un-rushed, genuine, and uniquely yours.
Baby boomers are enthusiastically embracing “SKI” trips, which stands for “Spending the Kids’ Inheritance.” They are prioritizing experiences over leaving behind financial legacies.
Sustainable travel remains a priority for travelers who want more fulfilling and meaningful experiences. Three Oregon Scenic Highways lead to the Old Parkdale Inn. Travel through the Columbia River Gorge on the Historic Columbia River Highway Scenic Byway, HCRH, and around majestic Mt Hood on the Mt. Hood Scenic Byway. For the sustainable traveler the HCRH and the Mt Hood Scenic Byway have been combined to create one of six Electric Byways in Oregon, the Mt Hood and Columbia River Gorge Electric Byway.
One survey revealed that 62% of Americans plan to take multiple solo trips in the coming year. Our inns welcome solo travelers and some offer single occupancy rates
As Culinary travel continues to gain traction we invite you to explore Oregon Food Trails. Each trail has its own unique flavor, so you’re sure to find something that you like.
On our website we’ve developed different ways to to find an Oregon Independent Inn. Experience something new such as birdwatching. Explore an Oregon Region. Perhaps its a specific amenity you’re in search of. Find all Oregon has to offer: high desert country in the east, balmy coasts to the west, and mountains, rivers and forests in between.
Peruse the Oregon Association of Independent Inns Blog. An amazing social media tool. We post about happenings and events all across Oregon. Search the blog for posts on winery events, bird watching sites, farmers markets, recipes and oh, so much more!
This National Plan for Vacation Day we’re doing our part to combat the burnout blues by encouraging Americans to plan all of their days off for the year at the beginning of the year. We’ll gladly share tips, and destination ideas so you get the most out of your earned time off.
In previous years more than 768 million vacation days went unused. Research shows that individuals who plan are more likely to use all of their time off, take more vacation days at once and report greater levels of happiness at work and at home.
On January 27 take time to plan your days off for the year. And if you need some inspiration let the Oregon Association of Independent Inns assist and inspire your 2026 travel plans. Make 2026 the year you stick to your goals with 7 ideas that turn boring New Year’s resolutions into travel opportunities. Let’s make 2026 epic.
How To Celebrate National Plan for Vacation Day
- Use your leave – Stop postponing that vacation and start planning. Use the one life you have to have all the fun you want!
- Spend time with your loved ones – The time you spend them will end up as beautiful memories. It is important to cherish your loved ones and plan to spend time together. The time you spend with them will end up as beautiful memories.
- Share on social media – Don’t forget to share pictures and experiences on social media. Inspire others to plan and go on their vacations too.
We hope to inspire you to Explore Oregon. Some Oregon Bed and Breakfasts joined the 2025 Vacation Day party and will offer special discounted rates. Watch this space. We hope to inspire you to Explore Oregon.
Since 1989, the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild has served as a statewide information network for its member properties, providing a unified voice for the industry with state regulatory and tourism agencies.
Now known as The Oregon Association of Independent Inns, we’re the same trusted organization, with a new name, a fresh look, and an expanded focus on independent lodging properties beyond traditional bed and breakfasts. Member properties represent a wide range of accommodations, from small guest cottages, cabins, and intimate two-room B&Bs to larger country inns, boutique hotels and dude ranches.
Oregon Association of Independent Inns is ready to share Oregon with you: its environment, culture, and heritage. Combine gracious hospitality with ambiance at an inspected and approved member of the Oregon Association of Independent Inns.
