Explore Worldwide unveils its 2026 travel trends

Data shows micro-retirements, ‘non-viral’ travel and rail trips popular

Adventure travel specialist Explore Worldwide has unveiled its top five predictions for travel trends in 2026.

Backed by data from tens of thousands of bookings, traveller insights and industry analysis from the past 12 months, the findings point to travellers increasingly seeking purposeful, authentic and sustainable experiences.

From a rise in overland rail journeys to surging interest in lesser-known destinations and once-in-a-lifetime celestial events, Explore’s data suggests values-driven travel is shaping the next wave of adventure.

Managing director Michael Edwards said: “With four decades of adventure travel expertise, and offering tours in over 100 countries worldwide we are uniquely positioned to anticipate what’s next for travellers.

“Over the past year alone, we’ve seen a 25 per cent surge in rail travel, a rising appetite for lesser-known destinations and our solar eclipse adventure holidays have sold out, reflecting the growing trend in astro tourism.

“These insights give us a clear view of how traveller motivations are evolving, from a desire for slower, more sustainable travel to a curiosity for immersive, one-of-a-kind experiences.

“The data tells a clear story - that travellers are seeking experiences that align with their values, and that trend is set to shape the future of adventure travel.”

One of the growing trends noted by Explore is that of ‘micro-retirements’, of so-called career breaks taken before traditional retirement age to prioritise travel.

In September 2025, Explore surveyed workers across the UK and found that 48 per cent of respondents said they would take a sabbatical specifically to travel, while 40% expressed a preference for extended trips lasting one to three months.

Explore has also seen a 19 per cent year-on-year increase in customers booking trips lasting more than eight days.

When asked about destinations, many favoured a UK or Europe-based sabbatical (37 per cent) followed by New Zealand and the Pacific (30 per cent) and Australia or Asia (26 per cent).

“People’s relationship with work is changing,” Edwards said. “Micro retirement isn’t really about age or a specific stage of life. It’s a response to burnout, long hours, and a culture that waits too long for life to begin.

“With careers potentially stretching into our 70s, priorities and perspectives change. People are beginning to ask themselves: ‘Why wait? Life’s too short to not see the world.’”

Explore also reports a rise in travel to ‘non-viral’ destinations, where travellers seek the smaller crowds and lower prices outside of traditional travel seasons and ‘must-see’ destinations.

Edwards said that, in response to ‘overtourism’ in hotspots like Venice and Barcelona, 2026 travellers are seeking lesser-known corners of popular countries.

Explore has seen a spike in demand for regions like Colombia’s Coffee Triangle, northern Laos, and inland Croatia. Bookings to Laos are up 33 per cent year-on-year, Mongolia 118 per cent, Nicaragua 32 per cent, and Zimbabwe 23 per cent.

“These are all examples of places which offer authentic, responsible travel experiences and form part of a wider movement away from the well-trodden path, towards journeys that feel more personal and connected,” said Edwards.

A ‘revival’ in rail travel is also set to continue into 2026, according to Explore.

Beyond reducing their carbon footprint, the operator says travellers are “embracing the chance to move at a gentler pace, taking in the landscapes unfolding outside their window, and rediscovering the journey as part of the experience itself”.

Explore Worldwide bookings for rail journeys have surged 25 per cent year-on-year, with a 77 per cent jump in the past 12 weeks. Future bookings are 41 per cent up compared with last year.

Among the fastest-growing trips are Explore’s Simply Japan tour, which is up 42 per cent year-on-year, the Kolkata to Amritsar journey, up 21 per cent, and the Venice to Rome by Rail + Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast itinerary, up 22 pre cent.

Edwards said: “We’re seeing phenomenal growth in rail-based adventures, which is a clear reflection of the wider trend towards more sustainable and experiential forms of travel.

“Travellers want to slow down and take in more of the journey itself, and rail provides that sense of adventure and connection to the landscape that flights simply can’t offer.”

Explore’s data suggests ‘astrotourism’ is set to ‘shine even brighter’ in 2026, with a total solar eclipse visible across mainland Europe for the first time in nearly 30 years.

The operator has seen strong international interest in its five tailor-made eclipse adventures, which will take travellers to Spain, Iceland and Greenland. 

Around 75 per cent of bookings for Spain come from UK travellers, while half of the Iceland departures are made up of US travellers. Across both destinations, the average traveller age is 65, with solo travellers accounting for just over 40 per cent of bookings and first-time Explore customers making up around 32 per cent.

“Our eclipse tours have proven to be incredibly popular this year,” said Edwards. “They went on sale in May and sold out by mid-July - a clear indication of how sought-after these moments are.

“Travellers know how rare opportunities like this can be, especially when the timing overlaps with school holidays, when flights and accommodation are already in high demand.”

Explore says its 2027 eclipse trips will be on sale soon, giving travellers the chance to plan further ahead than before.

Multi-generational and “family holidays 2.0” are also set to grow further in 2026, Explore predicts, noting Abta data showing that more families are planning trips that include older children and adult offspring.

“We’re seeing a really exciting shift in year-on-year sales of family adventure travel”, said Jae Hopkins, marketing director at Explore Worldwide.

“People of all ages are looking for more from their holidays. They now seek epic milestone adventures, African Safaris to exploring Borneo. With adventures like these at our fingertips, I’d want to share it with my family too.”

The biggest-growing destinations in Explore’s family programme highlight this, with Egypt up 72 per cent, Belize up 71 per cent, Sri Lanka up 34 per cent, Botswana up 24 per cent, and the Maldives up 69 per cent.