Kensington Reports 196% Increase in Hawaii Bookings, Growing Demand for Immersive Experiences

Kensington Tours has shared booking data on the destinations driving growth in the luxury packaged travel market.

Using data collected from March through June 2026, Kensington identified key regions with significant year-over-year growth, as well as shifts in travel preferences. Hawaii saw the most impressive growth; it is Kensington’s fastest-growing destination, with a 196% increase in bookings compared to 2025.

Other emerging luxury destinations include Austria (up 86%), Peru (up 62%), Croatia (up 61%), and Japan (up 51%).

“At Kensington, we’re seeing demand rise in destinations that reflect how luxury travelers are evolving,” said Helen Giontsis, president of Kensington. “From renewed interest in Asia and the continued appeal of premium European destinations to closer-to-home luxury escapes and bucket-list cultural journeys, travelers are looking for experiences that go beyond iconic landmarks. They want to understand and experience a destination through its people, food, history and traditions, while also enjoying having ‘insider’ access and seamless planning.” 

According to Kensington, the booking data points to a shift in travel style away “from basic sightseeing to storytelling and collecting experiences that can’t be packaged by a chatbot,” and toward more meaningful travel experiences around the globe.

In Asia — one of Kensington’s strongest-performing destinations — South Korea is a breakout destination, along with steady demand for Japan and renewed interest in China. Luxury travel in this region is driven both by increased accessibility and the region’s offering of ancient traditions alongside contemporary culture.

Rwanda in Africa is another breakout destination for Kensington. Travelers are drawn to its conservation-led luxury, gorilla trekking, national parks and once-in-a-lifetime wildlife experiences.

Europe continues to appeal to the luxury market, but increasingly, travelers are drawn to emerging destinations with authentic cultural connections. Kensington highlighted Austria, Croatia, Poland, and Scotland as the top emerging countries for luxury travel.

In South America, Peru is showing growth, reflecting demand for destinations that combine archaeology, culture, cuisine, and natural wonders.

“As luxury travel continues to evolve, we’re seeing travelers prioritize experiences that are more personal, immersive and meaningful than ever before,” said Giontsis. “The destinations experiencing the strongest growth all share one thing in common. They invite travelers to connect more deeply with a place, through its people, its landscapes and the kinds of moments that stay with you long after you’ve come home.”