Travel Planners International (TPI) introduced TPI Trendcast, a quarterly report, which polled more than 5,000 of its member advisors on 2026 travel trends. Here’s a look at the findings.
A Resilient Market Amid Global Uncertainty
“2026 was off to a really strong start. The war in the Middle East has given some travelers pause, but overall, trips – particularly cruises and land tours – are selling well,” said TPI President and Chief Marketing Officer Jenn Lee. “While some people may be shifting where they travel, they are still traveling,” she added.
European Stronghold and the Rise of River Cruises
Advisors said they are receiving a formidable number of client requests for Europe. “Trends they are seeing are cruises to Italy and Greece and land tours around Germany and Barcelona,” TPI said. “On the cruise front, smaller ships and river cruises are of particular interest.”
Surging Interest in Japan and Hawaii’s Recovery
The growing interest in Japan is continuing unabated, with client requests for both land and cruise vacations,” the survey found. While Hawaii is still recovering from the Lahaina fires in Maui, TPI advisors are nonetheless receiving many requests, particularly for Maui. One advisor noted she received 10 calls in a single week for Hawaii travel.
A New Definition of Luxury Travel
Also trending are curated luxury vacation experiences. “Luxury is no longer just about price, it’s about having highly personalized and unique experiences that speak to the individual traveler or group,” Lee said.
Strong Caribbean Bookings
Caribbean vacations are also selling briskly, with cruise bookings particularly strong. “This aligns with an increase in ships sailing year-round in the Caribbean and vessels shifting their itineraries from the Arabian Gulf to the Americas,” according to the report.
Navigating Economic, Geopolitical Headwinds
Although 2026 summer bookings seem to be strong, TPI advisors are nonetheless witnessing some travelers booking their vacations closer in due to concerns about the Middle East war and the rising gas and airfare costs.
The Evolving Role of the Advisor
Lee noted that the role of travel advisors has never been more important.
“We have to help our clients navigate uncertain times to help them understand the geography –and where the crisis is in relation to key European cities – as well as help them book trips that make them feel safe and secure so they can continue to travel,” she said.
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