Hawaii, Austria, Peru among Kensington’s hottest destinations

Luxury travellers are looking beyond the traditional sightseeing checklist, and new booking data from Kensington is revealing which destinations are benefiting from the shift.

The customized private guided luxury travel company says travellers are increasingly seeking deeper cultural connections, exclusive access and experiences that feel more personal and difficult to replicate.

Kensington’s booking data, covering March through June 2026 and compared with the same period last year, shows notable growth in destinations ranging from Hawaii and Peru to Austria, South Korea and Rwanda.

"At Kensington, we're seeing demand rise in destinations that reflect how luxury travelers are evolving," said Helen Giontsis, president of Kensington. 

"From renewed interest in Asia and the continued appeal of premium European destinations to closer-to-home luxury escapes and bucket-list cultural journeys, travelers are looking for experiences that go beyond iconic landmarks. They want to understand and experience a destination through its people, food, history and traditions, while also enjoying having 'insider' access and seamless planning."

Asia sees renewed momentum

Asia remains one of Kensington’s strongest-performing regions, with Japan maintaining its momentum, South Korea emerging as a new breakout destination and China generating renewed interest as accessibility improves.

Kensington says South Korea’s rise reflects growing global interest in the country’s cuisine, design, wellness, history and culture.

Japan, meanwhile, continues to build on its popularity in the luxury segment, with Kensington reporting a 51 per cent increase in sales.

Demand is also evolving beyond the traditional Tokyo-Kyoto circuit, with travellers increasingly looking at ryokan stays and destinations such as Hokkaido, where culinary experiences, hot springs, premium seafood and wagyu are among the draws. A favourable yen is also contributing to Japan’s value proposition.

China is also attracting renewed attention, which Kensington attributes in part to improved accessibility, including Canada’s new visa-waiver program for eligible stays, alongside demand for history and immersive local experiences.

Austria leads European growth

Europe remains firmly on the luxury travel map, but Kensington says its clients are increasingly looking beyond the most familiar experiences.

Emerging regions, shoulder-season travel and more authentic cultural connections are gaining traction as travellers seek new ways to experience established European destinations.

Austria is leading Kensington’s European growth, with sales up 86 per cent. While Vienna’s music, art and architecture remain major attractions, Kensington says travellers are also seeking more intimate experiences involving the city’s coffeehouse culture and traditional Heuriger wine taverns.

Croatia is another strong performer, with sales increasing 61 per cent. Kensington is seeing interest in both land-based trips and private yacht charters through the Dalmatian Islands.

Poland has recorded a 46 per cent increase in sales, with its history, architecture and culinary traditions attracting travellers to destinations such as Kraków and Warsaw.

Scotland, meanwhile, is up 36 per cent, with demand for private Highland experiences that can include falconry, deer stalking and whisky blending sessions.

Peru climbs, Rwanda breaks out

South America is also benefiting from demand for trips built around culture and local experiences.

Kensington reports that Peru sales have increased 62 per cent, fuelled by the country’s combination of archaeology, gastronomy, nature and living cultural traditions.

Among the experiences Kensington is highlighting are journeys aboard the Belmond Andean Explorer, private visits to Machu Picchu and culinary-focused trips that take travellers from Lima’s markets to a Pachamanca lunch in the Sacred Valley.

In Africa, Rwanda has emerged as another breakout destination for the company.

Demand is being driven by conservation-focused luxury travel, gorilla trekking, national parks and wildlife experiences. Kensington notes that gorilla trekking permits directly support habitat protection and communities surrounding the parks, appealing to travellers seeking a stronger connection between their vacation spending and conservation.

Hawaii surges 196%

But Kensington’s biggest growth story is in the U.S.

Hawaii has emerged as one of the company’s fastest-growing destinations, with bookings soaring 196 per cent compared with last year.

Kensington says the Hawaiian Islands are tapping into demand for vacations that combine luxury resorts with wellness, outdoor adventure and Hawaiian culture, without requiring travellers to take a long-haul flight.

Experiences highlighted by the company include catamaran snorkeling in Honolua Bay, helicopter flights over volcanic landscapes and private zodiac excursions along the Kona Coast.

"As luxury travel continues to evolve, we're seeing travellers prioritize experiences that are more personal, immersive and meaningful than ever before," said Giontsis. "The destinations experiencing the strongest growth all share one thing in common. They invite travellers to connect more deeply with a place, through its people, its landscapes and the kinds of moments that stay with you long after you've come home."

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