Leading adventure travel specialist Explore Worldwide has unveiled its top five predictions for the travel trends set to shape 2026.
Backed by data from tens of thousands of bookings worldwide, traveller insights and industry analysis from the past 12 months, the findings point to a clear evolution in how people are exploring the world, with travellers increasingly seeking experiences that feel purposeful, authentic and sustainable.
From a rise in overland rail journeys to surging interest in lesser-known destinations and once-in-a-lifetime celestial events, Explore’s data reveals how values-driven travel is shaping the next wave of adventure in 2026 and beyond.
Michael Edwards, Managing Director of Explore, said: "With four decades of adventure travel expertise, and offering tours in over 100 countries worldwide we are uniquely positioned to anticipate what’s next for travellers.
"Over the past year alone, we’ve seen a 25% surge in rail travel, a rising appetite for lesser-known destinations and our Solar Eclipse adventure holidays have sold out, reflecting the growing trend in astro tourism.
“These insights give us a clear view of how traveller motivations are evolving, from a desire for slower, more sustainable travel to a curiosity for immersive, one-of-a-kind experiences.
“The data tells a clear story - that travellers are seeking experiences that align with their values, and that trend is set to shape the future of adventure travel.”
1. Micro-retirements
Workers in the UK are rethinking traditional retirement, with growing interest in “micro-retirements”, or so-called career breaks taken before traditional retirement age to prioritise travel.
In September 2025, Explore surveyed workers across the UK to explore employee interest in micro-retirement.
The results showed that nearly half of respondents (48%) said they would take a sabbatical specifically to travel, while 40% expressed a preference for extended trips lasting one to three months. Explore has also seen a 19% year-on-year increase in customers booking trips lasting more than eight days.
When asked about destinations, the majority favoured a UK or Europe-based sabbatical (37.44%), followed by New Zealand and the Pacific (30.33%) and Australia or Asia (26.30%).
“People’s relationship with work is changing,” Michael explained.
“Micro retirement isn’t really about age or a specific stage of life. It’s a response to burnout, long hours, and a culture that waits too long for life to begin.
“With careers potentially stretching into our 70s, priorities and perspectives change. People are beginning to ask themselves: ‘Why wait? Life’s too short to not see the world.’”
2. ‘Non viral’ destinations
2026 is set to be another year of the ‘hidden season’, with travellers seeking lower prices, smaller crowds, and richer experiences outside of traditional travel windows.
Between the ‘must-see’ culture of travel, viral ‘hidden gems’ on social media and bounce back of post-pandemic travel, overcrowding in popular destinations has become a turn off for some travellers.
In response to overtourism in hotspots like Venice and Barcelona, 2026 travellers are seeking lesser-known corners of popular countries.
Michael said: “We’re seeing lesser-known destinations and regions like Colombia’s Coffee Triangle, northern Laos, and inland Croatia all attracting interest, with Laos up 33% year-on-year, Mongolia 118%, Nicaragua 32%, and Zimbabwe 23%.
“These are all examples of places which offer authentic, responsible travel experiences and form part of a wider movement away from the well-trodden path, towards journeys that feel more personal and connected.”
3. Rail revival
The rise of overland travel is set to continue into 2026, with more travellers opting for rail journeys over short-haul flights. Beyond reducing their carbon footprint, travellers are embracing the chance to move at a gentler pace, taking in the landscapes unfolding outside their window, and rediscovering the journey as part of the experience itself.
Explore Worldwide bookings for rail journeys have surged 25% year-on-year, with a 77% spike in the past 12 weeks. Future bookings are already 41% up compared with last year.
Among the fastest-growing trips are some of Explore’s most iconic rail adventures: the Simply Japan tour (QJS), which is up 42% year-on-year, the Kolkata to Amritsar journey (RBA), up 21%, and the Venice to Rome by Rail + Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast itinerary (VRA), up 22%.
Michael said: “We’re seeing phenomenal growth in rail-based adventures, which is a clear reflection of the wider trend towards more sustainable and experiential forms of travel.
“Travellers want to slow down and take in more of the journey itself, and rail provides that sense of adventure and connection to the landscape that flights simply can’t offer.”
4. Umbraphilia & Astrotourism
Astrotourism is set to shine even brighter in 2026, with a total solar eclipse visible across mainland Europe for the first time in nearly 30 years. Combining cosmic spectacle with cultural discovery, eclipse travel continues to capture the imagination of travellers seeking once-in-a-lifetime experiences that put life, quite literally, in perspective.
Explore’s data shows strong international interest in their five tailor-made eclipse adventures, which will take travellers to some of the best vantage points in Spain, Iceland and Greenland.
Around 75% of bookings for Spain come from UK travellers, while half of the Iceland departures are made up of US travellers. Across both destinations, the average traveller age is 65, with solo travellers accounting for just over 40% of bookings and first-time Explore customers making up around 32%.
“Our eclipse tours have proven to be incredibly popular this year,” said Michael.
“They went on sale in May and sold out by mid-July - a clear indication of how sought-after these moments are.
“Travellers know how rare opportunities like this can be, especially when the timing overlaps with school holidays, when flights and accommodation are already in high demand.”
Explore also confirmed that 2027 eclipse trips will be on sale soon, giving travellers the chance to plan even further ahead for these once-in-a-lifetime celestial experiences.
5. Next-Gen Family Travel
Multi-generational and “family holidays 2.0” are set to grow further into 2026, with more families planning trips that include older children and adult offspring.
According to ABTA, families with older children are now travelling abroad more frequently than those with younger kids, signalling a shift toward “family holidays 2.0.”
UK parents are willing to invest more than ever to keep family holidays alive, turning travel into a meaningful way to stay connected across generations, and this is also evident for Explore.
“We’re seeing a really exciting shift in year-on-year sales of family adventure travel”, explained Jae Hopkins, Marketing Director at Explore Worldwide.
“People of all ages are looking for more from their holidays. They now seek epic milestone adventures, African Safaris to exploring Borneo. With adventures like these at our fingertips, I’d want to share it with my family, too.”
The biggest-growing destinations in Explore’s family programme highlight this perfectly, with Egypt up 72%, Belize up 71%, Sri Lanka up 34%, Botswana up 24%, and the Maldives up 69%.
These longer-haul, higher-value destinations show that families are increasingly willing to invest in more meaningful, once-in-a-lifetime experiences together.
Find out more about Explore’s complete 2026 travel trends here.
Issued on behalf of Explore Worldwide by Tigerbond. For more information, or to request an interview, please contact:
Sophie Wallace sophie.wallace@tigerbond.com
Hazel Brynes hazel.brynes@tigerbond.com
About Explore Worldwide
Explore Worldwide has over 40 years’ experience in creating expert-led small group tours all over the world. Tours that are all about getting under the skin of your destination: making friends, treading lightly, and being mindful of local communities. With more than 350 trips in 100 countries, the company offers everything from classic cultural holidays and wildlife safaris to walking and cycling trips, family adventures and even polar expeditions.
