A mix of sweat and tears blurred Josue De Paz’s view of the Sydney Harbour Bridge as he crossed the finish line of the 2025 TCS Sydney Marathon. He had traveled nearly 26 hours to run 26.2 miles on the other side of the world.
De Paz is one of millions taking part in a growing trend called “sweat-jetting,” where people travel for fitness, athletics, and exercise retreats. TripAdvisor’s Trendcast named it the #1 travel trend for 2026, and Accor Hotels reports a 50% rise in interest in “workout vacations.”
“The race itself was absolutely stunning—running over bridges, through commercial and residential areas, it gave me the best tour of Sydney that I bet not many people get to see,” says De Paz, CEO and co-founder of the non-profit Honor Your Dreams in New York City.
For runners, marathons have become a fresh way to explore a new country. De Paz has completed marathons in Chicago, Tokyo, and Sydney, and has trained for marathons in Paris, Barcelona, Madrid, Copenhagen, and Mexico City. “It’s been my absolute favorite way to get to know a city on a more personal level,” he says.
In 2025, Langham Hotels launched its first Pink Run. Across 10 cities worldwide, more than 1,600 runners raised money for various charities. The runs are open to hotel guests, staff, and local community members. “Our Pink Run was so popular across all our hotels around the world that we’ve now made it an annual key community event for every property,” says André Jacques, regional director of marketing, Pacific, for Langham Hotels.
As if dealing with jet lag and unfamiliar running routes isn’t tough enough, Iceland’s Kerlingarfjöll Ultra takes things to another extreme. Set in the country’s remote Highlands at Highland Base Kerlingarfjöll, participants run a 37.3-mile course (with 7.5- and 13.6-mile options) that climbs 6,500 feet through geothermal valleys and colorful volcanic mountains.
“Events like the Kerlingarfjöll Ultra show how travelers want to experience this otherworldly landscape in its purest form—some even build their entire trip around that single race,” says Ingi Þórarinn Friðriksson, general manager at Highland Base Kerlingarfjöll.
But this travel trend isn’t only about pushing yourself to the limit. In Hoi An, Vietnam, Emma Sothern, a yoga and mindfulness teacher at Om with Em, leads retreats that offer a different kind of physical challenge.
“Mornings include gentle flow yoga classes to wake up the mind and body, afternoons are for pool time and rest, with a few optional cultural trips or workshops, and evenings are all about unwinding and slowing down with yin yoga, yoga nidra, and sound baths,” says Sothern. “For me, the ideal yoga retreat balances guided activities like yoga classes, breathwork, sharing circles, and meditations with plenty of free solo time for reflection and integration.”
And while guests might sweat a little under the hot Hoi An sun, they’re working out more than just their bodies. “I’ve noticed a growing demand for body-focused retreats, but not necessarily super active ones,” she says. “What most people seem to want now is a chance to find more stillness, to connect with their bodies in a way that’s different from their usual high-intensity gym sessions. To step out of constant ‘doing’ mode and find space in simply being.”
In nearby Thailand, sweat-jetters can go the opposite direction at high-intensity fitness camps like Tiger Muay Thai, Pirate Camp, and Unit 27, all located on the same stretch of Phuket’s Soi Ta-iad Road. At these camps, travelers stay anywhere from a few days to up to six months, combining training with a beachside community. Between Muay Thai classes, boxing, mobility work, and women-focused glute classes with up to 100 people, there are healthy meals and a supportive atmosphere.Fitness retreats, saunas, cold plunges, dedicated accommodation, and everything you need for a fitness holiday.
When it comes to sports, padel is one of the fastest-growing games in the world. New courts are popping up everywhere, from the jungles of Bali to churches in the Netherlands. “I became obsessed with padel when I moved to Dubai, and I wanted to find a way to combine that with my experience in curated travel. So, I started Global Padel Adventures,” says founder Nick Wade.
Padel players use Global Padel Adventures’ group and private trips to explore new places. “We believe people want more than just top-level coaching when they travel. They want to combine food, adventure, local activities, and festivals into one trip with a more holistic approach,” says Wade. “People want more than a few days in a glass box.”
Cycling has also become a popular way to see the world. Dylan Reynolds, founder and CEO of Ride and Seek, a cycling tour operator, says, “We’ve seen growing interest in our tour concept. When we started 15 years ago, we were among the first to focus on long-distance cycling tours. Now, the sector seems to be booming.” Ride and Seek runs tours of up to 50 days across countries like Greece, Japan, and Colombia. Much like running in a destination, cycling lets travelers experience a country in a different, slower way.
“I’m obviously biased, but I think traveling by bike is the best way to see the world. When you combine the riding with cultural immersion, gastronomic discovery, and historical context, you gain a real sense of place. There’s also something particularly valuable about the journey itself—experiencing the landscape unfold gradually rather than simply arriving at the next destination. Active travel certainly seems to be having a moment,” says Reynolds. “But for many of our riders, it has become a lasting way of traveling rather than simply a trend.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs about the sweatjetting travel trend written in a natural tone
General Definition
Q What exactly is sweatjetting
A Its a travel trend where you pick a destination specifically because it has amazing places to work out Instead of just lying on a beach youre hiking cycling surfing or doing hot yoga and then exploring the city or relaxing after
Q How is this different from a regular active vacation
A Its about the focus On a regular active vacation you might go for a jog one morning With sweatjetting the workout is the main eventits the reason you chose the destination and the whole trip is planned around that specific activity
Q Is this just a fancy way of saying fitness retreat
A Not quite A retreat is usually structured with a set schedule and often includes wellness classes Sweatjetting is more independent and adventurefocused Its about using the destinations natural terrain or unique facilities as your gym
Motivation Benefits
Q Why would someone want to sweat on vacation Isnt vacation for relaxing
A For many moving their body is how they relax Sweatjetting releases endorphins which reduces stress Plus you get to see a place from a unique perspectivelike seeing a city from the top of a mountain you just hiked rather than from a bus window
Q What are the main benefits of choosing a sweatjetting trip
A You come home feeling energized not exhausted You can eat the local food without feeling guilty you sleep better and you likely avoided the typical vacation bloat You also build a deeper connection with the place youre visiting
Q Is this a good way to actually get in shape
A Yes it can be a great catalyst Training for a specific trip gives you a concrete goal and deadline which is great motivation It can kickstart a new fitness routine that you keep up when you get home
Practicalities Planning