Egypt Breaks Away as Kensington’s Fastest-Rising Destination for 2026
Egypt leads Kensington’s 2026 forward bookings by a wide margin as East Africa and Asia continue to gain ground.
Photo: Calin Stan / Unsplash
Egypt wasn’t just strong in Kensington’s 2026 data—it blew past everything else, posting more than 400% year-over-year growth and resetting where long-haul luxury demand is concentrating.
The surge places Egypt well ahead of other destinations in Kensington’s forward bookings, according to internal data and reporting from its Destination Experts and executive team. Interest is tied to privately guided access across Cairo, Giza, Luxor, and the Nile corridor, alongside the recent opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum. “Our travelers continue to prioritize experiences that feel rare and deeply personal,” said Helen Giontsis, president of Kensington, adding that demand for high-touch travel remains resilient despite broader uncertainty.
East Africa continues to build momentum alongside Egypt, with Kenya recording year-over-year growth of more than 60%. Demand is focused on privately guided safaris in the Masai Mara, with itineraries increasingly structured for families and multi-generational groups. Kensington has also seen steady uptake of combined Egypt-Kenya programs that link archaeological touring with safari travel within a single itinerary.
In Asia, Vietnam and China are emerging as clear growth markets. Vietnam is up nearly 70% year over year, driven by interest in history-led itineraries and regional cuisine. “Vietnam has an energy that people fall in love with immediately,” said Jessica Vandermey, regional vice president at Kensington. China has grown by 56%, supported by a new 10-day visa-free travel policy for U.S. and Canadian passport holders and renewed interest in Beijing, Xi’an, and Shanghai.
Bhutan is also gaining traction through Kensington Expeditions, the company’s recently launched division focused on complex, highly customized journeys. “Bhutan is one of those places that changes the way you see the world,” explained Neal Bateman, head of Kensington Expeditions, noting the company’s itineraries designed around conservation, cultural access, and sustainability.
Elsewhere, demand remains steady across Northern Europe, particularly Norway and the Nordic region, where bookings center on private fjord exploration and seasonal Arctic travel, including an 11-night voyage timed around an upcoming solar eclipse. In the Americas, Peru has doubled in demand over the past year, supported by direct air access from major U.S. gateways and itineraries that combine Cusco, Machu Picchu, Lima, and the Amazon within a single week. Alaska bookings are up 125% year over year, driven by luxury cruises through the Inside Passage.
Kensington says booking activity for these destinations is already extending well into 2026, with itineraries structured around private access, defined routing, and expert-led execution as planning continues.
