Collette announces top travel trends, destinations, and experiences for 2026

Small group experiences, solo travel, historical and cultural immersion and food experiences and travel that gives back are the key headliners that attracted travellers last year, according to Collette analysis of close to 3,000 tours.

“What we’re seeing for 2026 is a shift toward travellers being intentional with their choices, with a focus on creating a more meaningful connection,” Collette president and CEO Jaclyn Leibl-Cote said.

“Today’s travellers want a more immersive experience. They want to spend time in real communities, learn from local perspectives, and understand a destination in a way that feels genuine and connected.”

Small group touring

Collette travellers are increasingly prioritising small group explorations tours and “off the beaten path” destinations to dive deeper and engage more meaningfully with local life and cultures.

Booking for Collette’s small group tours in Australia have experienced double digit growth since 2023, with more than half of all Collette travellers booking small group Explorations in 2026. This trend illustrates the desire to travel in smaller groups which can move away from overcrowded highlights and towards more unique cultural experiences.

“Small-group touring represents a fundamental shift in how people want to travel,” Collette Australia managing director Karen Deveson said. “With fewer travellers on a tour, we can slow down the pace and spend more time in each location to unlock unique experiences that are not viable at scale, from family-hosted meals to artisan craft workshops and small village walking tour.”

Some of Collette’s most popular small group Explorations tours include South Africa Victoria Falls & Botswana, The Balkans: From Coastal Croatia to Legendary Greece and Italy: Amalfi Coast to Puglia.

Trending destinations

Consistent with CATO’s annual Australians on Holiday report, demand for travel to Asia-Pacific destinations such as Japan, Thailand, and Vietnam remains high for Australian travellers due to proximity, value, and accessibility. Europe and Africa also remain aspirational destinations, with United Kingdom and Italy leading the way and bookings to Africa also on the rise year-on-year.

Some of Collette’s most popular tours in these destinations are:

• Africa Cape Town to Cairo: The Ultimate African Experience
• Europe Peaks of Europe
• Japan Japan & South Korea
• Thailand Wonders of Thailand
• United Kingdom Scotland: Land of Lore & Legend

Solo adventures

Solo travel continues to grow as an industry sector especially among savvy female travelers 50+ who seek personal growth and interesting experiences alongside the structure, safety, and connection of guided travel. Extended stays in walkable cities alongside flexible pace and variety also allow travellers to explore independently within the comfort of a group setting.

Collette’s most popular tours for solo travel include:

• Africa Safari: Kenya & Tanzania will take a unique peek into the daily lives of two local tribes at Lake Eyasi and seek out the elusive “Big 5” on seven different game drives.
• Colours of Morocco for ancient markets, desert landscapes, and rich cultural traditions.
• Journey through Egypt & Jordan for ancient wonders, desert landscapes, and immersive cultural experiences.

History and culture immersion

Collette travellers are prioritising tours that offer historical insight, cultural traditions, meaningful connection with local and Indigenous communities, and immersive experiences that bring each destination’s story to life. This historical and local culture immersion inspires travellers to truly understand the origins of the destination and what makes it unique.

Popular history and culture tours include:

• Kingdoms of Southeast Asia to visit with a Vietnam war veteran and learn about the war from his perspective and explore the Cu Chi Tunnels, a maze of underground passageways used by the Viet Cong.
• Peru: Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca explore the historical side of Lima, the “City of Kings”, and mysterious ancient sites at Machu Picchu, spending a night at the base of the “Lost City of the Incas”. Discover the birthplace of the Incan Empire in Puno and Lake Titicaca, meeting the indigenous Uros people of the local floating islands.

Food as experience

Collette’s product tour designers live and work in-destination meaning that they are deeply connected to regional cuisines, weaving together the stories, traditions, and hidden culinary gems that make food one of Collette’s signature strengths across every tour.

Featured culinary experience tours include:

• Essential South America including wine-paired lunches, empanada cooking classes, and amazing dinners at local restaurants.
• Journey Through Northern Vietnam experiencing a Vespa-led Hanoi Food Tour, and a Lac Village Home-Hosted Dinner.
• Tuscan & Umbrian Countryside featuring a local truffle hunter and dog followed by truffle tasting and a pasta demonstration.
• Flavours of Portugal and Spain featuring a petiscos cooking class, Portugal’s beloved small plates, and a dinner featuring pintxos, the Basque Country’s signature small bites.

Travel that gives back

The trends analysis also showed that travellers are seeking experiences that reflect their desire to travel with meaning and purpose. They are looking for tours that honour and support local culture, and offer community connection, and meaningful engagement. Collette travellers want their travel choices to support local economies, women-run enterprises, and community-based initiatives.

“Every year, we see travellers asking for deeper, more culturally grounded experiences,” Collette vice president of product marketing and growth strategy Diana Ditto said. “They want small-group moments, more time in local communities, and itineraries that go beyond the major sights. Our tours are designed by travellers, for travellers with in-market experts living and working in these destinations. It allows us to create innovative itineraries with unexpected experiences that feel personal, memorable, and meaningful.”

Featured tours and impact moments include:

• Japan and South Korea Meet Japan’s ama pearl divers, experience a homestyle cooking class with the Women’s Association of Korea.
• Plains of Africa A vibrant visit to Ocean Sole, where discarded flipflops are transformed into -flops are transformed into colourful art that supports local artisans and conservation efforts.
• Wonders of Thailand featuring the ethically vetted Changchill Elephant sanctuary.
• Coasts and Countryside of England Visit Strawberry Field, an iconic Beatles site that supports local youth through training and employment.