Where Real Growth Is Happening in Travel and Experiences in 2026
According to Phocuswright’s Travel Forward 2026 report, the global travel and tourism industry is expected to contribute more than $11.7 trillion to the world economy in 2026. That projection signals something important.
Travel demand is not disappearing.
It is evolving.
For entrepreneurs, coaches, consultants, and experience-led brands, this shift presents real opportunity, especially for those considering entering the travel space or expanding how they serve their audience through in-person experiences.
What I’m seeing across the industry is not one dominant trend, but clear growth pockets where demand, willingness to spend, and sustainability intersect.
Below are the key travel and experience-based growth areas I’m watching as we move into 2026.
Luxury and Premium Travel Experiences
Across the travel industry, there is a strong shift toward curated, intentional, premium experiences where logistics are handled, personalization is prioritized, and nothing feels generic. Quality over quantity. Depth over volume.
This trend matters deeply if you work with:
High-ticket coaching or consulting clients
Premium personal brands
Time-constrained professionals who value ease
Many people hesitate to offer premium in-person experiences because they assume the audience is smaller or harder to reach. In reality, demand for done-for-you, high-touch travel experiences continues to grow.
When executed well, premium experiences eliminate friction:
No planning
No logistics
No research
Just presence, connection, and care, surrounded by like-minded people.
That level of ease is not a luxury.
It is a compelling value proposition.
This is an area that would be wise to investigate for your brand if you work with high powered individuals in your coaching practice or business.
Corporate and Business Travel Growth
Corporate travel is quietly becoming interesting again.
As organizations rethink culture, retention, leadership development, and burnout prevention, there is renewed investment in:
Corporate off-sites
Leadership retreats
Team gatherings
In-person collaboration
Wellness, clarity, and connection are no longer fringe concepts in corporate environments.
They are increasingly being budgeted for.
For corporate trainers, facilitators, executive coaches, and consultants, this creates meaningful opportunity.
In-person experiences can differentiate you in crowded digital markets where content alone is no longer enough.
The leaders winning here are not offering generic retreats. They are designing experiences that align with business goals while supporting human sustainability.
Domestic and Regional Tourism Opportunities
International travel continues to rebound, but not evenly across all regions.
At the same time, domestic and regional tourism remains strong because it is:
Easier to plan
Easier to commit to
Easier to sell
Shorter trips. Long weekends. Road-trip-accessible destinations.
If international travel or large-scale events feel overwhelming, this is important. There is enormous capacity to build meaningful, profitable experiences closer to home.
Domestic travel experiences can act as:
An entry point into in-person events
A testing ground for new offers
A foundation for future international expansion
Proximity can be a strategic advantage.
The Real Opportunity in Travel and Experiences
Growth in travel and experiences is not about doing everything.
It is about choosing a lane where:
Demand already exists
Margins make sense
The business model is sustainable
The leaders who succeed in the travel and experience economy in 2026 will not be the loudest or the fastest.
They will be the most thoughtful and know what their client avatar craves.
They will build experiences that respect their audience, protect their brand, and honor their own energy.
That is where real growth lives.
