Forget Europe: Report reveals where we’ll travel in 2026
Australia’s trending travel spots for the year ahead have landed and European stalwarts are falling back in the airport line behind coveted destinations with a cherry blossom on top.
Buckle up, travellers, the trending destinations of 2026 have landed – and Asia is definitely on the bucket list.
Each year, the Virtuoso Luxe Report taps into the collective knowledge of its global travel agency network to determine what’s now and next for savvy travellers.
For 2026, the company – known known for luxury and experiential travel – found that attitudes around travel are starting to bend.
Japan is the place to be
Scusa, Italy, but Japan has knocked you off the top spot for Aussies, being named the most popular destination for 2026.
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Similarly, Tokyo and Kyoto came in as the world’s top two cities, with Paris in third.
Japan also ranks first for solo travel, places in the top three for family vacations and appears in the top 10 for honeymoons and cruises. All of it suggests that Japan is the new Europe.
Looking beyond the classics in Europe
OK, Europe is still very popular. On the 2026 list, stylish (and more affordable) alternatives to the icons have found some limelight.
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They include Riga, the capital of Latvia, with its striking art nouveau architecture, Albania’s sun-soaked Riviera, Montenegro’s intimate Adriatic resorts and Malta’s historic towns brimming with Mediterranean charm.
Destinations on the rise
Meanwhile, four countries burst into the top 10 list of destinations on the rise this year: India, Bhutan, the Arctic and Malta.
Antarctica, Norway and Iceland also made the top 10, suggesting that staying cool will remain hot in 2026.
Sri Lanka has remained in second place for another year. It entices travellers with its unique blend of beaches, culture, cuisine, history and jungle adventures in one destination.
Egypt climbed the ladder by three positions, with travellers keen to book private Nile cruises and gain early access to the Grand Egyptian Museum. Meanwhile, Vietnam ranked fourth for its excellent value, and as an alternative to Asia’s other booming hotspots.
This article first appeared in International Traveller. Read the original here
