10 Fool-Proof Travel Predictions for 2026

It’s the first week of 2026, which means it’s time for some predictions of what the new year has in store for all of us! 

Here are 10 predictions for 2026, with just enough confidence to sound smart, and just enough humility to stay married, but all written for one reason: to can spot what’s coming, translate it into value, and turn that value into long-term client relationships. 

10 Predictions for 2026 

1. “The economy will split… and so should your sales strategy.”
   2026 looks like a tale of two travelers: affluent clients keep spending, while middle-market clients get more price-sensitive and cautious. That means any messaging has to bifurcate too: premium clients want meaning, access, and white-glove service; value clients want clarity, guardrails, and “all-in” cost certainty. If you try to sell both with the same pitch, you’ll feel like you’re playing two sports at once. 
2. “Fees become normal… and ‘free’ becomes suspicious.”
   More than half of travel advisors now charge professional fees, and 2026 keeps pushing in that direction. The winning move is not “charging a fee,” it’s naming the value: “Travel Design Deposit,” “VIP Experience Retainer,” “Strategic Planning Session,” etc. Clients don’t resist fees when they understand what the fee protects them from: mistakes, wasted time, and regret that can become expensive. So, give your fee a branded name!  

Quick sidenote: If you don’t actually charge a fee, you should at least list a fee as a crossed out amount on your proposals. This instantly communicates value delivered and all you had to do is add a line to your proposal. What could be better that!?...  Well, actually charging the fee would be better, but baby steps. 

3. “AI stops being a debate and becomes your quiet competitive advantage.”
   AI is no longer the shiny new toy. It’s the productivity multiplier that lets a solo advisor operate like a small team. Use it to draft, summarize, compare, and prep, then you bring the human magic: taste, judgment, relationships, and advocacy. Generic planning becomes cheap or free. Curated outcomes become premium. 
4. “Europe will feel ‘harder’ to enter… and you’ll look like a hero.”
   Expect real friction as new border systems ramp up. The EU’s EES is being gradually rolled out and is slated to be fully operational by April 10, 2026. Meanwhile, ETIAS is expected in Q4 of  Add the UK’s ETA enforcement to the mix, and you’ve got a lot of ways for DIY travelers to get surprised at the airport. Make “border readiness” part of your process and your fee: checklists, timing guidance, and proactive reminders. You’re doing it already (or should be), so brand it, promote it, and leverage it as a differentiator. 
5. “Airline disruption becomes a sales tool… if you explain the rules like a pro.”
   The DOT refund rules change the conversation. Cancellations and significant schedule changes are no longer a customer-service wrestling match if you know the rules and can advocate. In 2026, your calm, confident explanation of ‘what happens if something breaks’ will close more sales than your ‘Best hotels in Rome’ list ever will.  
6. “Cruise splits into two extremes: ‘Me-kends’ and ‘Grand Life’ voyages.”
   We’ll see more mega-ships and more ultra-luxury, plus itinerary polarization: short three to four night micro-cruises for busy, experience-hungry travelers, and long epic voyages for those with time and money. Your opportunity: segment your list by “short-window fun” vs “long-horizon legacy,” and market accordingly. 
7. “The new luxury is privacy, access, and ‘un-Googleable’ moments.”
   Luxury keeps moving away from stuff and toward experiences that feel rare: private access, behind-the-scenes entry, hush trips, and legacy travel. The advisor edge is not “a nice hotel.” It’s knowing who to call, what to ask for, and how to stitch the moments into a story the client will tell forever. 
8. “NDC becomes unavoidable… and the advisors who ‘retail air’ win.”
   NDC shifts airfare shopping from simple comparison to messy bundles, personalization, and integration headaches. Advisors who can confidently explain what clients are actually buying (seat /bags/fare rules), and who can package air cleanly, will stand out. This is one of those unsexy skill upgrades that quietly creates a six-figure business. 
9. “Coolcations and destination dupes stop being trends and become default behavior.”
   Heat, crowds, and overtourism keep pushing travelers toward cooler seasons, cooler places, and smarter alternatives. This is where you shine: you’re not “downgrading” clients, you’re value-engineering their joy. Think: better pacing, better neighborhoods, better timing, fewer regrets. This ties into #7 above too. 
10. “The ‘Independent Contractor era’ gets more professional.”
    The IC model is dominant, but 2026 rewards the ones who operate like real business owners (even if part-time): clear offers, consistent marketing, documented processes, fee structure, and a supplier roster built on reliability. Professionalism as a differentiator isn’t new, but how advisors use it as part of their core marketing messaging will be. 

My family, especially my three girls, have taught me that the world keeps changing around us whether we feel ready or not. The winners aren’t the ones who predict this change perfectly, but the ones who adapt faster, communicate clearer, and keep moving. 

Let’s make 2026 the year you become more valuable, more efficient, and more confident in exactly what you offer the world.