Audley Travel 2026 Updates: $100 Advisor Incentive, New Tours & FAM Plans
by Sarah Milner
Photo: Audley Travel
Audley Travel has revealed updates for 2026, including new destinations and increased support for the U.S. travel trade.
A specialist in tailor-made travel, Audley Travel is a U.K.-based travel company known for its custom-designed trips curated by destination experts. The company focuses on immersive, culturally informed travel experiences crafted to match each client’s interests and style.
The tour operator named its first regional U.S. sales representative last September and has since added three more team members, reporting to Cathy Kusuma Bennis, Audley Travel’s vice president/head of trade sales & partnerships, North America. The new appointments were created to increase brand visibility among U.S. travel advisors while providing stronger regional support for agency partners.
Audley Travel recently held a webinar for the press on recent luxury trends, and offered a preview of new products and programs set to roll out in 2026.
What’s New for 2026 from Audley Travel
The Philippines
Audley Travel is bringing back the Philippines in 2026, which will be available to the U.S. market for the first time since 2020.
“Audley Specialists actually recommend Highlights of the Philippines—kind of a sample itinerary—to help curate a trip to explore all of the islands in full since it’s such a large destination and has a lot of vastly different areas,” said Bennis.
The suggested Highlights of the Philippines itinerary includes stops in Manila, Banaue’s UNESCO-listed rice terraces, and the heritage town of Taal. It also outlines opportunities to see tarsiers on Bohol and to snorkel or dive in the waters around El Nido. Additional excursions noted for the coming year include the Baguio Mountain Man Dining Experience and a Sunrise at Chocolate Hills tour.
United Arab Emirates Expansion
Previously sold as a stopover destination, Audley Travel is expanding its offering in the United Arab Emirates with a focus on Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The sample itinerary emphasizes immersive experiences, from guided cultural walks through Dubai’s Shindagha heritage district and Old Dubai’s souks to abra rides and tastings of traditional Emirati cuisine. Families can explore museums such as the Shindagha Museum and Louvre Abu Dhabi, alongside landmarks including Qaṣr Al-Waṭan and the Sheikh Zayed Mosque.
Sardinia (Italy) Self-drive
Audley Travel has added a 10-day custom self drive tour through Sardinia, an island off Italy’s western coast that offers unique mountainscapes and ocean views. Experiences range from exploring Cagliari’s historic center and spotting dolphins at Capo Carbonara Marine Sanctuary to wine tasting and sharing a traditional shepherds’ lunch in central Sardinia. In the north, visitors can wander Alghero’s historic streets and hike the Limbara Mountains.
“For clients looking to experience the outdoors, hiking in Limbara Mountains is recommended, with an easy-to-moderate route around mountain trails. There [are] valleys to potentially see wildlife, like bears, foxes, eagles, deer wildcats… a really unique opportunity to expand our offering in Italy,” said Bennis.
Luxury Train in Spain
With rail travel experiencing a renaissance, Audley Travel is introducing Seville to Madrid via Luxury Train, an 11-day tailor-made trip to Spain that includes six nights on the Al Andalus Train. New for 2026, the luxury train is offering a route that links Seville, Córdoba, Cádiz, Mérida, and Toledo. Audley clients will be able to sample regional cuisine both onboard and in local restaurants, and will enjoy immersive, guided excursions in each destination.
“Seville to Madrid via Luxury Train is a new option that we’re presenting for 2026. Clients can now explore the highlights of southern and central Spain via the glamour of train travel,” said Bennis. “[The new route] gives a really vast array of different cities to experience, and as part of this opulent hotel on rails experience, Audley clients can expect to stay in deluxe suites [and] enjoy Spanish gastronomy.”
Gujarat (India)
Audley Travel is expanding its Gujarat program, broadening its focus beyond wildlife to include deeper cultural, artistic, and tribal experiences across the western Indian state. New highlights include Bhuj’s renowned textile traditions—such as weaving, block printing and tie-dye—as well as heritage walks through Ahmedabad’s historic pols, where clients can explore architecture, religious sites, and local customs.
These cultural elements can be combined with wildlife experiences in areas such as the Little Rann of Kutch, known for tribal heritage, desert safaris and winter flamingo sightings, and in parks like Velavedar and Sasan Gir, home to blackbuck, foxes, and the world’s last population of Asiatic lions.
Audley Travel’s New U.S. Travel Advisor Initiatives
Audley Travel also announced several initiatives in the works designed to support travel advisors in the U.S.—including a new November incentive program.
Effective today, Audley has launched the “Audley Gives Thanks” incentive for the rest of November. Any travel advisor who receives a deposit for a booking from now on until the end of the month will receive a gift card valued at $100.
Bennis mentioned there will be 2026 FAM opportunities coming up. Advisors are encouraged to stay tuned for more information, which will be announced in the new year. Audley Travel’s new U.S. regional sales directors can provide more information on this as well.
Audley Travel is also in the process of updating its tools and resources for travel advisors. The tour operator recently refreshed its online training, and there are plans for in-person participation at industry events in 2026. Bennis also mentioned that the travel advisor hub will be getting new marketing assets such as brochures, customizable flyers, and social media content.
Finally, on Nov. 19, Audley is launching the first of its new quarterly executive webinar series, which will feature product and itinerary updates, advisor incentives and contests, information on upcoming FAMs, give-aways, and practical sales and marketing tips advisors can use to grow their business.





