One Host Agency Says 85% of Its Advisors Are Seeing Business Grow
Travel Experts advisors report strong luxury demand in 2026, even as clients book later and become more selective about where they spend.
Photo: Recal Media / Unsplash
Luxury travel demand remained strong through the first half of 2026, even as economic uncertainty, higher travel costs and geopolitical concerns prompted some travelers to wait longer before committing to trips, according to a new survey of Travel Experts affiliates.
The Raleigh, North Carolina-based host agency, whose network includes more than 600 independent advisors, found that 85 percent of respondents reported business was up significantly during the first six months of the year. Just 7 percent described the beginning of 2026 as slow, and most of that group said business has since improved.
The outlook for the rest of the year is similarly positive. Forty-nine percent of respondents reported very strong bookings for the remainder of 2026, while 25 percent already have business on the books for 2027 and 2028. Twenty-three percent expect business to slow during the second half of this year.
“Our advisors, most of which focus on the luxury market, have traditionally been a bellwether for predicting how the luxury travel business was going to flow,” said Sharon Fake, executive director of Travel Experts. She added that the results suggest the luxury segment remains resilient despite “foreign conflicts and higher fuel prices which are making travel more expensive.”
Europe remains the network’s top destination for both the first and second halves of 2026, while ocean and river cruising continue to perform strongly. Travel Experts also reported increased demand for the Caribbean and domestic trips, in part from travelers who prefer to stay closer to home amid international uncertainty. Africa, South America, Australia, and New Zealand are gaining ground, while Italy, Ireland, and Japan remain popular.
Several advisors reported substantial year-over-year increases. Michelle Orr of Master Travel in New Canaan, Connecticut, said sales were up 18 percent year to date, including a 130 percent increase in January. Michele Grace of Houston-based Michele Grace Travel said her clients spent 30 percent more in the first half of 2026 compared with the same period last year.
But perhaps more notable than the overall growth is how clients are booking. Several advisors said travelers are waiting until closer to departure to make decisions, even when planning premium and luxury trips.
Liz Squillante of Springboard Travel said uncertainty surrounding geopolitical conflicts, the economy and safety has made some clients reluctant to commit far in advance. “But when they do book, they’re still investing fully in the experience,” she said.
That compressed booking window is creating another challenge: availability. McLean Robbins of Lily Pond Luxury said demand itself is not the primary concern; securing the right hotels, villas, guides, and specialty experiences is becoming harder, particularly around Christmas and New Year’s, spring break, and peak European summer dates.
At the same time, advisors are seeing clients become more selective about what merits a splurge. Robbins reported increased spending on private guides, villas, yachts, private aviation, upgraded transfers, and exclusive-use experiences, while Megan Mack of Heirloom Adventures said some families are choosing shorter trips to spend more on individual experiences.
“Spending is moving from more nights to better days,” Mack said. “Families will trim a night in order to fund private guiding, a villa buyout, or a chef at the house.”
Multigenerational travel was another recurring theme in the survey, particularly for milestone trips. At the same time, advisors also reported growing interest in cruising among travelers who previously had little interest in the category. Small-ship itineraries, private yacht charters and service-heavy hotel stays are among the formats benefiting from that demand.
For advisors, the survey suggests that luxury clients have hardly stopped traveling. But the booking pattern is changing: decisions may come later, expectations remain high and securing the most sought-after inventory could require more flexibility—and faster action—than in previous years.
