Multi-tiered holidays take center stage as Kuoni reveals 2026 travel trends | News
British holidaymakers are planning more ambitious and multi-layered trips in 2026, according to Kuoni’s new Travel Reimagined report. Based on the company’s latest booking data, three major shifts are shaping the way people travel this year: a sharp increase in inter-centre travel, increased demand for shoulder-season travel and a growing focus on intentional rest woven into longer itineraries.
Travelers are looking for more contrast, more connection and more breathing space during their holiday. They turn to expert, conversation-based planning to design trips that work seamlessly from start to finish.
Kuoni data shows that trips to two and three centers have increased by 10% annually, with multi-island Caribbean itineraries growing by 50% and 65% of bookings in Canada now include five or more stops. June and September are now the fastest growing travel months, with a 6% increase in June and a 12% increase in September across all destinations, as bookings continue to shift from peak summer.
The Maldives remains Kuoni’s top destination for 2026, with most travelers adding stays of five to seven nights to wider itineraries. Interest in digital detox retreats, silent escapes and sleep-oriented breaks is also increasing, indicating a growing desire for restorative moments within larger adventures.
Travelers are embracing a more a la carte approach to vacation upgrades, choosing to elevate the moments that matter most. Private guides, cultural experiences and food-driven excursions are increasingly shaping travel itineraries. 30% of bookings now combine four and five star hotels, with 20% upgrading to Premium Economy or Business Class, rising to 30% for longer-haul destinations such as Australasia and the Caribbean. This is a shift from generic luxury to smarter, more intentional indulgence.
Mark Duguid, Managing Director at Kuoni, said: “People want holidays that feel richer, more thoughtfully designed and perfectly balanced. Multi-centre travel is on the rise as travelers want variety, but also the reassurance that every part of their trip works together beautifully. That’s where our travel experts make the difference. Customers really appreciate having a real human in their corner with destination expertise and travel knowledge ready to support them from the very first spark of a holiday idea to the moment they coming home.”
Kuoni also announced the top 20 best-selling destinations for 2026, led by the Maldives, Thailand, Mauritius, Sri Lanka and South Africa. Here you will find the top 20 best-selling destinations (vs. 25).
1 – Maldives
2 – Thailand
3 – Mauritius
4 – Sri Lanka
5 – South Africa (+1)
6 – Tanzania (+10)
7 – Kenya (-1)
8 – Antigua
9 – Vietnam
10 – Canada
11 – Barbados (+2)
12 – Malaysia (-1)
13 – USA (-1)
14 – Saint Lucia (+4)
15 – Indonesia
16 – Greece (-1)
17 – Seychelles (-3)
18 – Australia (-1)
19 – UAE
20 – Japan (+3)
Beyond our top 20, other places are quietly gaining momentum – often smaller in size, but growing as travelers seek space, wildlife and a sense of discovery. Bookings to Dominica in the Caribbean are up 129% year on year, while the next wave of southern Africa is also taking shape, with Namibia, Mozambique and Zimbabwe all showing growth as travelers move beyond the classic safari circuit.
As demand for more complex travel increases, in what can be a turbulent global landscape, Kuoni’s broad global destination knowledge, industry connections and deep operational expertise enable the company to stay ahead of changing demand and respond quickly to world events. Putting the customer’s wellbeing first, offering flexibility, reassurance and expert support at every stage of a journey is what we are known for.
This is now being put into practice as challenges in the Middle East continue. Our experience gives customers peace of mind knowing that Kuoni can navigate change with confidence while delivering the exceptional service it is known for.
The full report, including detailed data and travel ideas for each trend, is available at www.kuoni.co.uk/trends
