Audley Travel has compiled its travel trends for 2027, detailing how its clients are traveling across land and sea. In summary, the trends are:
Experts from custom tour operator Audley Travel have shared their insights into what clients are booking for 2027.
Feeling-inducing trips
Audley’s destination specialists report a rise in discussions around how clients want to feel during their trip, as well as what they want to see and do. Alex Bentley, Head of Product at Audley Travel, explains more: “As the world has become ever more connected, people have become more disconnected. How people travel has changed but the importance of leisure travel remains, especially the need to connect with both the people they travel with and the people they meet. Clients are increasingly realising that the human element is essential in trip planning – whilst AI can give information, it can’t understand how it feels to have an experience. As a result, the conversations we have with clients to design their ideal trip have an ever-growing focus on those feelings – and, as our specialists have traveled extensively or lived in the destinations they sell, they can speak with authority and accuracy on how to experience those feelings.”
A Heart Rate High (or Low)
Audley’s destination experts note a rise in adrenaline inducing experiences that typically fall into clear "love it or hate it" categories. Alex Bentley, Head of Product at Audley Travel, explains more: “From sailing across the notoriously choppy Drake’s Passage on the way to Antarctica or walking across the Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge in China to hiking the notoriously steep and narrow rocky path of Angels Landing trail in Zion National Park or exploring the cramped, claustrophobic cu-chi tunnel complex of the Vietcong on the outskirts of Ho Chi Minh City, we find clients give us an immediate yes or no when we suggest these types of experiences.”
The Insider’s Re-route
Rising visitor numbers in destinations across Audley’s portfolio have driven a rise in demand for places with similar experiences to the popular tourist hotspots, but with fewer visitors - as a result, often offering a more authentic experience. Alex Bentley, Head of Product at Audley Travel, shares examples, “In north Asia, in place of touring the Japanese Alps, visiting the tall peaks and gorges of Iya Valley in Shikoku and in China opting for Shangri La and Tiger Leaping Gorge in place of the well-traveled Guilin/Yangshuo mountain and river areas. In French Polynesia clients explore lesser visited islands including Tikehou (very remote and great for views of the Milky Way in the night sky), the tribal and remote Marquesas Islands and the Austral Islands. Aranui’s new ship Aranoa will visit the Austral Islands archipelago (the maiden voyage is in the spring) – these islands are the definition of untouched land, typically seeing about 100 visitors per year.”
This can also be seen between countries – seeking out the cherry blossoms or fall colors in South Korea rather than Japan, or Croatia as an alternative option for clients looking to explore Italy for the weather, history, culture, and food.
Family Chapters
For 2026 travel, Audley reported the rise of the multi-spoke itinerary which saw clients book multiple ways of experiencing the same destination so each member of the group enjoys it the way best suited to them. For 2027, multi-spoke tours are being complemented in the itinerary with days designed for family members to break away from the group and indulge their personal passions – dividing the trip into chapters to suit different tastes. Alex Bentley, Head of Product at Audley Travel explains: “As an example in Sri Lanka, one family member could hike with a local guide, while the others take a city tour. In Cairo, a tour of Coptic Cairo could be arranged for one family member, while others take a food tour – both with local, expert guides. This trend is particularly seen by clients visiting Scotland or Ireland, with a round of golf at a famous course included for some, while others see the local sights. The balance of days spent together (whether altogether on a tour or as part of a “multi-spoke” day) paired with dedicated time for an individual to indulge in what truly interests them, ensures they return home with incredible memories that will last a lifetime.”
The Slow Travel Pace Continues
In a trend continuing to gain momentum, Audley reports an ongoing rise in demand for slow travel, but now with a widened definition. Alex Bentley, Head of Product at Audley Travel, says: “As well as spending longer in few places (France is an excellent example, with clients booking tours of the country as a solo destination, instead of opting for Paris and Normandy as stops in a multi-country European itinerary), we have also seen a rise in interest for slowed down experiences. Examples include a walking safari to look for polar bears in Canada’s northern Manitoba (in contrast to a flight over), or choosing to explore Japan or Vietnam’s coastline by cruise rather than land using sea days to relax, allowing the days on land to be spent immersed in the experiences and the culture. Audley is also seeing growing demand for slow-travel experiences across Europe, particularly walking and hiking itineraries in Spain and Portugal, with the Camino proving especially popular.”
Shifting Seasons
Audley notes an expansion of the seasons that clients are happy to visit destinations across the globe. In part due to growing crowds, clients are booking "off-season" travel happily accepting any trade-offs this brings. Alex Bentley, Head of Product at Audley Travel, suggests examples: “A trip to Switzerland in November may come with a small compromise on weather but delivers the benefit of enjoying space on a panoramic train journey (Bernina Express and Treno Gottardo run year-round). In Canada, a bear watching trip in May or October may mean the town’s restaurants and attractions are not fully operational for the season, but the bear watching is enhanced by lower crowds and the opportunity to see bear cubs fresh out of hibernation (in May).”
Nocturnal Exploration Shines
As well as a continued rise in solar eclipse and nocturnal tourism demand (including clients keen to see the northern lights), Audley also reports a rise in bookings for evening experiences featuring light. Alex Bentley, Head of Product at Audley Travel, says: “From a firefly experience in Ubud or seeing Cambodian temples by torchlight, to a drone show at Uluru sharing the story of Anangu (the custodians of the land who hold the Mala story from Kaltukatjara to Uluru) in an immersive storytelling experience, clients are keen to experience their chosen destination from a fresh perspective.”
Boomerang Cruising
Audley’s specialists are seeing an increasing number of clients opt for a cruise to further explore a destination they enjoyed on a first visit – with examples including Assam’s rivers in India and Australia’s Kimberley region. Sean Atton, Global Head of Cruise at Audley Travel, says: “The first land-based trip really catches the client’s interest – they tell our specialists they loved exploring the destination, learning about its culture and speaking to its people. But they want more for a return visit, and are increasingly finding this from including a cruise element in their itinerary. Booking an itinerary that utilizes water exploration as well as land gives access to typically hard to reach places (traveling in comfort) at the same time as allowing time (pre-or post-cruise) for the land experiences they discovered and loved on their first visit.”
