Travel advisors talk trends, booking insights and hot destinations to watch in 2026
Another year is ending, and a new one is beginning. What trends are you excited about for the year ahead?
VY: I think the trend I am most excited about is slow travel. The trend is to stay longer in one place and to immerse oneself in the local culture rather than rushing through multiple destinations. Consider a centre-based holiday where you unpack once and do day trips. Or destination intensive cruises in Europe fit this trend as well. I often pare down my client’s wish list to focus on one or two cities on a trip rather than moving every couple of days — this allows time during the day/evening to let serendipity find you — and really get to know the region.
SI: I’m excited to see a strong rise in travellers wanting smaller, more personal group experiences. People are looking for space, connection and itineraries that don’t feel crowded. That’s pushing them toward destinations a little further off the beaten path—places where they can avoid overtourism and get a more genuine sense of local culture.
There’s also a clear shift in how people think about value. Travellers aren’t just chasing the lowest price anymore. They’re looking at what actually enhances their journey, whether that’s a better room category, a higher-quality resort or upgraded seating. They want their money to go further in ways that matter.
KH: I’m excited about helping people turn their travel dreams into realities whether that’s a bucket list adventure, a relaxing escape, or a special celebration trip. A new year always brings new journeys, and I can’t wait to be part of those stories.
This holiday season, are your clients escaping the cold or visiting Christmas markets in Europe?
VY: I have a bit of a mixed bag looking at my departures for the next few weeks. I have traditional sun seekers heading for the beaches of Mexico. Snow birds heading to Thailand, NewZealand, Colombia and the Middle East for extended stays. And some Christmas market shoppers who are staying on to ring in the New Year in Europe.
SI: Even in my role—supporting FCTG employees with personal travel and helping them navigate industry discounts—the patterns are familiar. There will always be people eager to escape winter, and Mexico and the Caribbean remain the go-to options. Costa Rica has been especially popular with families this year. At the same time, winter travel to Europe keeps growing. Switzerland and Germany’s Christmas markets are always favourites, and northern destinations like Finland and Iceland are attracting more attention, especially with such an active northern-lights season. It’s a strong mix of sun-seekers and travellers chasing that classic winter atmosphere.
KH: Europe is definitely top of the list this holiday season. Many of my clients are excited to escape to Europe’s famous Christmas markets. I’m seeing a big increase in travellers wanting that classic European holiday experience.
What’s trending when it comes to destinations and/or trips this winter?
VY: With my clients I have a lot of bucket list type trips on the books for the next few months. Egypt, Antarctica, Patagonia, Japan, Indonesia, Nepal and some safaris too. Thailand and Portugal also remain HOT for this time of year for those looking to escape the cold.
KH: My clients and new referrals are always reaching out about Sandals & Beaches Resorts. That’s truly my niche, and it’s what’s trending this winter for travel south.
What’s the biggest change you’d like to see in the travel industry over the next year?
VY: The biggest change I would like to see in the travel industry this year would be for the airlines and tour/cruise operators to include more in their upfront pricing. Consumers are coming to the table with a basic flight/cruise/tour, but then as agents we need to add on all the ancillaries to get the clients the experience that they would like on board.
SI: I’d love to see continued progress in responsible tourism—supporting local communities, reducing waste and ensuring that tourism dollars stay in the places travellers are visiting. And I feel like we are already seeing positive movement. Some airlines are improving their recycling practices. Hotels are finding ways to repurpose amenities, like collecting unused soap and distributing it to communities in need. And community-based operators are showing how powerful local employment and reinvestment can be.
Within the Flight Centre Travel Group, our partnership with Reforest is a great example of what meaningful impact can look like. Fun little fact, together, we’ve planted 2.7 million trees, restored more than 4,500 hectares and removed nearly 200,000 tonnes of CO₂ across Vancouver Island and Morocco which is so cool to see! A portion of every Captain’s Pack purchased through Flight Centre supports these reforestation projects, and it’s a simple choice that contributes to meaningful change.
KH: Love seeing all the new direct flights to Europe and new Caribbean islands especially from Halifax and would like to see that return.
Do your clients find it important to give back and make a difference when they’re travelling?
VY: More and more clients are having these conversations with me when we discuss their trip goals. It may not be the first item on their agenda, however depending on destination I am finding that clients are becoming more receptive/concerned about their impact. Making a difference can be done in so many ways. Choosing tour operators that have transparent ethical practices at the foundation of their operations is the first part of the puzzle. I often like to feature the tangible responsible tourism aspects when presenting itineraries to my clients. For example — I align myself with partners like G Adventures and highlight their G for Good/Planeterra projects when I review a trip itinerary. These often become the most memorable experiences when travellers come back from their journey.
SI: Absolutely. Travellers are far more conscious about their impact than they were even a few years ago. They want to feel confident their trip supports local communities and the environment. Part of our job as advisors is highlighting the choices that allow them to do that. Many of the partners we work with—and initiatives within FCTG—focus on planting trees, reinvesting in the regions they operate in or designing itineraries that keep revenue local. When travellers learn that their booking helps support those efforts, it often deepens their connection to the trip and shapes how they plan their next one. That shift toward more mindful decision-making is something we’re seeing across our employees and the general public.
KH: My clients want to do more than just visit a destination they want to truly experience it. More travellers are looking to explore beyond the resort, connect with locals, and make a positive impact in the communities they visit.
How far in advance are most of your bookings, on average?
VY: I find that most of my clients book their travel three-six months prior to departure. Of course, bigger trips like river cruises and expeditions tend to have more lead time as the inventory can be quite tight for clients to get the stateroom/dates that they would like. International airfare over the Christmas holidays is also best booked eight-nine months in advance to secure inventory and better prices.
SI: It really depends on the traveller and the type of trip. For major seasonal periods—Christmas, spring break and the summer holidays—people tend to book early to secure the best availability, especially if they want specific room categories or access to industry rates.
But there are always travellers trying to make a last-minute getaway work. They aren’t hunting for “last-minute deals” so much as trying to fit something into the time off they already have.
Industry discounts also guide behaviour. Some have to be booked within 30 to 90 days of travel, which limits selection and requires flexibility. Others are first come, first served, so travellers plan well ahead to secure the vacation they really want. As always, the closer you get to departure, the fewer choices remain—and often at a higher cost.
KH: Six-twelve months in advance. My Sandals & River cruise groups that I host book at least 14 months in advance.
Do you have anything to add?
VY: I have been having lots of chats with my clients about travelling off peak/shoulder season and visiting secondary destinations in the countries that they are considering. We are starting to see more tour operators offering these off the beaten path type of tours/cruises or pushing out the season, or introducing alternative winter itineraries to popular destinations. Tourism boards are also investing in marketing alternative regions within their countries to spread out the tourism saturation that has been seen in many hotspots.
SI: It’s an exciting time to work in travel. At Travelwise, we see firsthand how people explore the world when they have access to strong industry opportunities and tailored advice. In the past year alone, we helped our employees in the Americas save thousands on hundreds of trips with the industry deals available to them. Whether it’s a long-anticipated bucket-list adventure or a quick weekend away, helping our colleagues make the most of those benefits is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do.
