Audley Travel, together with travel trend forecasting agency Globetrender, presents its “Luxury Tailormade Travel Trends 2026” report. The research, which included extensive conversations with Audley Travel's global network of experts, in-house survey data and third-party resources, reveals a defining shift in luxury travel: a move away from destination-first planning toward the intentional investment of time.

Port + Beyond the Harbor 

A cruise has always delivered multiple destinations with ease, traveling in comfort. Audley now reports a rising demand for richer, more comprehensive exploration which takes clients beyond the traditional beach, resort or short city stay of a “cruise and stay” itinerary. As an example, carefully pairing a cruise around Japan with time exploring the volcanic valleys and hot springs of Hakone, or an Antarctic cruise with a visit to Iguazu Falls on the border of Brazil and Argentina to allow clients to maximize their vacation time. Audley's country specialists report a 29 percent increase in the number of travelers requesting a trip with two clear parts such as this.

The key element that distinguishes a Port + itinerary from a regular cruise extension is the strategic integration of experiences, linked together in a way that overcomes the logistical complexity, creating an incredible itinerary that delivers memories to last a lifetime.

Edgebound Exclusivity Thrives at Travel's Outermost Edge 

Luxury travel isn't just exquisite service in incredible surroundings or traveling to lesser-visited destinations. An increasing proportion of travelers see true luxury travel as having access to something others haven't experienced and an opportunity to do what was once perceived impossible.

These adventure seekers are demanding access to private land, pursuing out-of-bounds properties, off-the-map locations and to be the first aboard new vehicles and vessels. They don't just want rarity, but expertly wrangled itineraries that push at the limits of what is viable.

This wish for experiences that are on the edge of what is possible isn't limited to in-destination activities but instead is a fully immersive experience that genuinely surprises visitors with something new or different. As an example, remote and preserved Cosmoledo Atoll in the Seychelles (which has seen very little human pressure on its environment over the years), allows clients stay in a single eco-camp on an island in a lagoon amid pristine, wade-able sand flats.

Soft expeditioning Light but Loaded Adventures

 Whilst the Antarctic and Arctic have long called adventurous travelers, Audley is now seeing a growing interest in a demand for similar levels of adventure, but in warmer climates and without a need for huge physical endurance.

Soft expeditioning destinations can be fully enjoyed with a trip of around two weeks, and benefit from warmer temperatures. Destinations on clients' radars include lesser-visited corners of Indonesia, the Pacific, the Amazon and Africa, offering unfamiliar places that deliver a sense of achievement to even the most nervous traveler.

These soft expeditioning destinations also deliver in the addressing the challenge of time scarcity. Audley's country specialists report a rise in enquiries from Millennials who are seeking shorter durations to deliver maximum adventure at the same time as satisfying their curiosity about a destination. A shorter cruise itinerary, paired with land exploration before or after, is ideal for making the most of valuable time off.

Women 2 Women Girl Power Grows UP

 Nearly a quarter of Audley's country specialists (24 percent) report a rise in solo female travelers, and these solo travelers are increasingly requesting female guides as they understand that female perspectives often reveal cultural layers and local stories that otherwise remain unseen. Also, incredibly important to many solo female travelers, working with female guides and business owners means their visit is helping local women to earn their own money.

Just over one in five (21 percent) of Audley's country specialists also report a rise in the number of trips being booked by a lead female traveler during 2025 – encompassing solo travel as well as couples, groups of friends and families (59 percent of US bookings are made by women).

Multi-spoke itineraries One Size Fits None

Fifty-seven percent of Audley's country specialists say their clients ask for curated multi-spoke itineraries as a solution to addressing differing needs and desires, at the same time as protecting the ultimate reason for a family vacation – to share time together. This doesn't mean the family follows multiple different itineraries and only meet for meals, instead the itinerary is designed to satisfy vastly different energy levels, learning styles and personal passions – from contemplative cultural pursuits to adrenaline-fueled adventures – all within a single, seamless journey that brings the group together for shared memories.

This could mean exploring the temple complex of Angkor in Cambodia's Siem Reap by mountain bike for the younger generation, while grandparents enjoy the same sites via tuk-tuk, all guided by the same expert who tailors the experience to each pace and interest. This isn't one person's itinerary with others tagging along - it's a shared journey that's truly for everyone.

Brain waves Ocean-Deep Voyages of Discovery

As guest lectures on expedition cruises become the norm rather than the exception, a trend is emerging for clients wanting more. Tomorrow's travelers won't be satisfied with knowledge alone: they want experiences that challenge their thinking, reward their curiosity and leave them mentally sharper for having taken part, and cruises are responding with itineraries designed to really make think. This is far more than simply listening to an onboard speaker, instead guests want to engage in dialogue, test ideas and then step ashore to see theories come to life.

Audley's clients are increasingly asking for encounters that stretch their thinking, whether that's with conservationists in Baja or community leaders in the Pacific. The exclusivity of the access is key, and the feeling that the learning couldn't be found anywhere else.

The full luxury trends report is available to download here.

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Notes to editors

Sources: Audley's research, extensive conversations with its global network of experts, and in-house survey data

About Audley Travel

B Corp certified Audley Travel arranges bespoke trips to over 80 destinations worldwide, all designed by a country specialist who has lived or traveled extensively in the destination they sell. Each trip is designed based on the client's tastes, wishlist and budget.

About Globetrender

Globetrender is the world's leading travel trend forecasting agency and online magazine dedicated to the future of travel. Founded in 2019 by award-winning travel journalist Jenny Southan, Globetrender delivers cutting-edge insights into how people will be travelling in the 21st century, giving professionals the knowledge they need to future-proof their businesses. Globetrender's trend reports are read by thousands of travel industry professionals, as well as executives from a wide-variety of multinational corporations looking for insights into the future of travel and consumer behavior. Globetrender publishes two newsletters: free weekly Innovation Briefings and a premium product called VOLT, which explores emerging travel trends in depth. Other services include: Forecasting and Advisory, Public Speaking, Workshops, Retreats and Branded Content. Globetrender also has a podcast called "Blue Sky Thinking”.