Report: Next-Gen Adventure, Career Sabbaticals & Astrotourism Lead 2026 Travel Trends

Adventure tour operator Explore Worldwide released a new report predicting the trends that will shape travel in 2026.

The latest insights from Explore are based on a survey of 2,000 individuals, conducted by OnePoll. The report identifies eight key trends that will shape the adventure tourism landscape in 2026, using information from the survey as well as the tour operator’s internal data.

Based in the U.K. and boasting over 40 years in the travel industry, Explore Worldwide is one of several tour ops actively expanding its reach in the U.S. and Canada. The company added Toronto-based executive Katy Rockett as regional director for North America in early 2024, and a little over a year later, Explore Worldwide added its first North America BDM.

The report found that travelers are increasingly looking for value-driven and sustainable experiences, looking for travel opportunities that feel puroseful, restorative, and meaningful.

“We are seeing a real shift in how people are thinking about spending their time,” said Rockett.

What Trends Are Shaping Adventure Travel in 2026?

Explore’s report identifies eight key trends that will influence the adventure travel industry in 2026: the rise of “micro-retirements,” off-peak season interest, wellness experiences, rail journeys, lesser-known destinations, solar eclipse itineraries, family adventures, and cycling.

“Micro-retirements” are career breaks (think sabbaticals) that travelers use to experience those bucket-list trips before retirement age. According to Explore, 80% of Americans said they are interested in and ready to take an extended career break in the next two years, and 41% said they would travel during that time for one to three months.

Explore has already seen a 23% year-over-year increase in trips longer than eight days.

“The results show that micro-retirements are not a far-off dream, but there is real demand for them right now,” said Rockett.

Astrotourism is also driving traveler interest. Explore Worldwide’s 2027 solar eclipse itineraries have proven popular, with the first set of dates selling out within two months of going on sale.

Wellness and sustainability continue to drive interest in the adventure segment as well. Explore said it has seen strong interest in immersive, nature-based itineraries, such as wellness and cycling trips.

“The demand for active, fresh-air experiences continues to grow, and at the same time a general craving for slowing things down and taking time to smell the roses (literally as well as figuratively),” said James Adkin, product manager.

This includes the increased popularity of rail travel, which allows guests to see more of a destination from the ground while also promising to be gentler on the environment than short-haul flights.

“We’re seeing phenomenal growth in rail-based adventures, which is a clear reflection of the wider trend towards more sustainable and experiential forms of travel,” said Rockett. “Travelers want to slow down and take in more of the journey itself, and rail provides that sense of adventure and connection to the landscape that flights can’t offer.”

Why Families Should Consider Adventure Travel

Explore’s report suggests that next-gen family travel will be big in the adventure travel segment next year, as families with adult children look for unique opportunities to travel together.

“Families are willing to invest more than ever to keep family vacation experience alive, turning travel into a meaningful way to stay connected across generations, and this is also evident for Explore,” said Rockett.

Internally, the tour operator is seeing a surge in interest within this segment.

“We’re seeing a really exciting shift in year-on-year sales of family adventure travel generally, up 106% heading into 2026 from the U.S. market.”

Across the company, Explore has seen more of an appetite for far-flung destinations within its family program: Egypt is up 72% y-o-y, followed by Belize (71%), Sri Lanka (34%), Botswana (24%), and the Maldives (69%).

How Can Travelers Avoid Overtourism?

Two of the trends—traveling during the off-season travel and lesser-known destinations—reflect a desire to get away from crowds.

With overtourism continuing to plague traditional popular vacation destinations, opting to travel outside of peak season affords travelers a better experience: not only fewer crowds but also more affordable rates. In some regions, there are “hidden seasons” that offer unique experiences as well, such as dry season in Zimbabwe when animals congregate around waterholes, or visiting Asia in green season.

Additionally, Explore is seeing increased interest in “non-viral” destinations, which are positioned to offer more authentic experiences than their highly touristed counterparts.

“We’re also seeing lesser-known destinations and regions ranking high in bookings such as Colombia’s Coffee Triangle, northern Laos, and inland Croatia all attracting interest. Bookings show Laos is up 20% year-on-year; Mongolia up 64%; Estonia up 58%; Georgia up 45%; and Zimbabwe up 89%,” said Rockett.