Multi-centre trips and ultra-exclusive access among top trends for 2026, says Carrier 

Carrier has identified seven key trends that are expected to shape luxury travel in 2026.

 

The operator said that clients seeking “deeper, more meaningful experiences” will continue to “drive a surge” for multi-centre itineraries. 

 

Bookings with three or more stops accounted for 19% of Carrier’s total bookings this year, marking an 11% increase from 2024. A total of 36% of these trips featured a cruise element. 

 

Twin-centre itineraries also remain strong, representing 12% of bookings, with a quarter of these including a pre or post-cruise stay. 

 

The destinations experiencing the most demand for multi-centre trips include Africa, North America and Europe, with the operator predicting that Croatia will feature more prominently next year. 

 

Carrier also reported that Singapore and Sri Lanka are performing well, with bookings for Sri Lanka up by 40% for next year, while Canada is 17% ahead in sales for 2026.

 

Head of product Rebecca Turner said: “Experience-led resorts, such as Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge in British Columbia [Canada], are shaping these itineraries, reflecting a growing appetite for adventure-rich experiences alongside luxury comfort.”

 

Carrier also identified “access to experiences that money alone can’t buy” as a defining trend for 2026. 

 

Product manager Deepavali Gaind said: “Travellers will be seeking itineraries that go beyond the mainstream, craving insider privileges and cultural immersion that feels entirely unique.” 

 

Alongside ultra-exclusive access, affluent clients are also “expecting much more” when it comes to hyper-personalisation. 

 

Concierge manager Lorraine Norcross said: “To retain high-net-worth travellers, you must deliver elevated and innovative service. 

 

“For Carrier, this means crafting experiences so personal and imaginative that they simply can’t be replicated elsewhere. Concierge isn’t about booking a few nice restaurants or sourcing a nanny – it’s about creating moments that become part of someone’s life story.”

 

A rise in ultra-high-value bookings has also been identified as an emerging trend, with one in four of Carrier’s bookings exceeding £100,000. The biggest segment of growth is for bookings valued at £80-99,000, which is up by 41% year on year. 

 

To meet this demand, this year Carrier launched a bespoke product range showcasing holidays priced at more than £100,000. 

 

The Limitless Collection features private island buyouts and multi-centre itineraries by private jet or helicopter. 

 

The second iteration of the collection is set to be unveiled in spring next year, featuring trips designed for couples and small families, priced at £60,000 and above. 

 

Carrier predicted that cruise will continue an upward trajectory in 2026, reporting that the sector has been one of its fastest growing over the past few years. 

 

Product manager Helen Tabois said: “Today, cruising has a broader appeal than ever before, and we’re challenging outdated perceptions of what a cruise holiday looks like. 

 

“Carrier’s approach to cruising is centred on small-ship, ultra-luxury experiences and bespoke itineraries that combine sailing with enriching adventures ashore.”

 

Carrier’s average booking value for cruise has increased by 9% year on year and overall revenue is up by 18%, with many clients opting for tailored pre and post-cruise stays and multi-centre trips. 

 

Tabois added: “In terms of what is booking for 2026 and beyond, Mediterranean and Caribbean cruise and beach itineraries are retaining their popularity, and we’re also seeing a growth in holidays combining cruise with touring destinations such as the United States, Canada, Japan and Australia.”

 

Purpose-driven trips were also cited as a key trend for 2026, reflecting “a growing desire for experiences that enrich both the traveller and the destination” with travellers investing in tourism “as a force for good rather than harm”.

 

Managing director Natasha Towey said: “Our luxury travellers are increasingly asking to actively contribute to wildlife protection, from rhino tracking in South Africa to anti-poaching missions in Kenya. They are looking for immersive experiences that support local communities, such as learning beadwork from Samburu women or sharing tea with India’s pioneering tea-planting families.”

 

Finally, Carrier reported Africa as a top-performing destination, as it delivered “exceptional growth” in 2025 and has “strong momentum” for the year ahead, with bookings currently 52% ahead in revenue compared to last year. 

 

The operator relaunched its Zambia portfolio this year, which has experienced 21% year-on-year growth, while Kenya bookings have doubled compared to 2024. 

Demand for South Africa has remained with a 15% increase, which follows a similar rise the previous year, and Botswana already has more bookings confirmed for 2026 than for the whole of 2025. 

 

Carrier has predicted that Morocco will be popular next year, namely due to the new British Airways service into Rabat. This year, the operator expanded its portfolio in Morocco to Tamuda Bay and Casablanca. 

 

Product manager Amanda Bailey said: “This improved connectivity will open up opportunities for itineraries that combine cultural exploration with beach escapes, allowing travellers to experience the country’s diversity in one seamless journey.”