Specialist adventure operator Wild Frontiers predicts top destinations for 2026

Specialist tour operator Wild Frontiers has predicted the top destinations for adventurous travel in 2026.

After analysing booking data and external travel trends, the B Corp company has released a list of 16 “untrodden” regions it expects to be most popular for “adventurous experiences and responsible tourism” next year.

Kyrgyzstan (pictured) is expected to be most popular, as the operator has seen bookings for the destination more than double from 2024 to 2025. This is set to increase further next year as the country prepares to host the World Nomad Games from August 31 to September 6.

Iraq is also high on the list, having welcomed more than 400,000 international tourists in 2024 – a “significant rise” from the 120,000 that visited in 2022.

Tanzania and South Korea also made the list as a result of boosted visitor numbers.

The operator said Egypt has made a “notable comeback” in 2025, recording a 60% increase in bookings year on year, with visitation expected to improve further in 2026.

Sri Lanka has also seen a 20% year-on-year increase in sales, showing particular popularity with clients seeking to “combine luxury travel with plenty of adventure”.

Other destinations on the list include Turkey; Japan; Oman; South America (namely Chile, Argentina and Patagonia); Kashmir, India; Georgia; Saudi Arabia; Algeria; Pakistan; and Ecuador.

Clare Tobin, the operator’s chief executive, said: “Overtourism remains one of the biggest challenges facing the travel industry, so it’s encouraging to see more travellers looking beyond the obvious.

“We’re seeing growing curiosity for destinations that were once considered off limits, from Iraq to South Korea, as people seek richer, more authentic experiences.

“Exploring lesser-visited regions not only eases the strain on overcrowded hotspots, but also brings meaningful economic benefits to emerging destinations, helping to sustain the very cultures and communities that make travel so rewarding.”

Picture: Shutterstock/Nick N A