Virtuoso releases 2026 Luxe Report highlighting travel trends

Virtuoso has released its 2026 Luxe Report, an annual forecast based on input from more than 2,400 travel advisors across 58 countries.

The report identifies nine travel experiences and destination trends for 2026:

South Korea: The country is positioning itself as an alternative to Japan, with interest driven by K-pop, Korean films and dramas and contemporary art and fashion scenes. The destination combines traditional temples with culinary experiences and street food culture.

Polar expeditions: Trips reaching both the Geographic and Magnetic North Poles are highlighted as extreme "coolcation" experiences involving navigation through shifting ice and remote Arctic waters.

Private museum access: Early morning access to the Vatican Museums with the clavigero (keeper of keys) and exclusive tours of Paris's Palais Garnier opera house are featured. Italy and France rank as top solo-travel destinations for 2026, with guided tours among the most requested experiences.

Morocco's Memory Road: Adventure travel moved up two spots to number three in 2026 trends. The 1,200-kilometre route runs from the Atlantic coast to the Sahara, covering deserts, mountains, oases and restored villages. Itineraries include personal butler service.

Cenote experiences: Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula cenotes (limestone caverns with underground water) are featured as wellness and cultural experiences, referencing their significance to Maya civilization.

Regenerative agritourism: Farm-to-table appeared in the top five aspects of sustainable tourism for the first time in the 2026 Luxe Report. Examples include vineyard experiences in Portugal with sustainable harvesting techniques and lavender field visits in Tasmania with botanical spa treatments and estate-grown dining.

Private Nile cruises: Egypt experiences on private yachts are highlighted, featuring temple visits, tomb explorations and riverside village tours.

Community-focused experiences: The report notes travellers prioritizing genuine local interactions over social media content, including time with maiko in Japan, community projects in Colombia and artisan visits in Iceland. Iceland is the report's top emerging destination for 2026.

Whale watching: Responsible whale watching experiences are featured in destinations including Monterey Bay, Norway's fjords and South Africa's coastline.

Virtuoso reported a 76 percent increase in people seeking advisors through its website compared to the previous period.

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