The Collette 2026 travel forecast highlights five key trends shaping travellers’ paths this year as small-group tours and solo adventures emerge as customers’ preferred travel styles.
The global tour operator analysed almost 3,000 departures in the past 12 months and discovered five clear booking trends, collating the data in the Collette 2026 travel forecast.
Collette’s booking data highlights what travellers want from travel in 2026 with history and cultural immersion, regional cuisine experiences and purposeful travel emerging as key trends influencing decisions and itinerary selections.
Collette President & CEO Jaclyn Leibl-Cote said the Collette 2026 travel forecast points to a shift towards intentional choices and meaningful connections.
“Today’s travellers want a more immersive experience. They want to spend time in real communities, learn from local perspectives and understand a destination in a way that feels genuine and connected,” she said.
Collette Vice President of Product Marketing & Growth Strategy Diana Ditto said the trends analysis shows travellers are prioritising tours that offer historical insight, cultural traditions and meaningful connections with local and Indigenous communities.
“Every year, we see travellers asking for deeper, more culturally grounded experiences. They want small-group moments, more time in local communities and itineraries that go beyond the major sights,” she said.
“Our tours are designed by travellers, for travellers, with in-market experts living and working in these destinations. It allows us to create innovative itineraries with unexpected experiences that feel personal, memorable, and meaningful.”
Echoing CATO’s annual Australians on Holiday report, Collette has seen high demand for Asian hotspots, such as Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, while Europe and Africa remain aspirational destinations, led by bookings to the UK and Italy.
Small-group tour bookings achieved double-digit growth since 2023 with more than half of all Collette customers booking small-group Explorations tours in 2026.
Popular itineraries include South Africa, Victoria Falls & Botswana, featuring eight safaris; and culturally rich and historical itineraries such as The Balkans, and Italy: Amalfi Coast to Puglia.
Solo travel continues to grow as an industry segment, driven by women over 50 who seek personal growth and interesting experiences within the structure, safety and social connection of guided groups.
Collette’s African Safari: Kenya & Tanzania, Colors of Morocco and Journey through Egypt & Jordan are popular itineraries booked by solo travellers.
For more info, visit gocollette.com
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