A new report by Audley Travel identifies how affluent travellers are reframing luxury around the thoughtful use of time rather than the pursuit of place. Olivia Palamountain reports

Audley Travel, in collaboration with Globetrender, has released its Luxury Tailormade Travel Trends 2026 report, which reveals a defining shift in what luxury means for modern travellers.

Available to download for free, the report identifies time as the true currency of contemporary travel via research based on global expert insights, proprietary data and industry analysis.

Increasingly, affluent clients are planning journeys not simply around destinations, but around how they wish to spend their time – with purpose, emotional return and rhythm.

Jenny Southan, editor, founder and CEO of Globetrender, says: “Audley’s findings confirm a broader behavioural shift we’re observing across the luxury sector: high-net-worth travellers are re-evaluating how they invest their time. As wealth becomes more liquid and work more flexible, people want journeys that deliver emotional return as well as financial value. The future of tailor-made travel lies in intelligent time design.”Among the report’s key trends is “Port +”, which builds on the popularity of cruising but adds an in-depth extension beyond port. Rather than a simple ‘cruise and stay,’ travellers are now combining sea voyages with complementary land experiences – such as pairing an Antarctic cruise with a visit to Iguazu Falls, or a sailing around Japan with time in Hakone’s volcanic valleys. This approach reflects a 36 per cent rise in demand for itineraries with two distinct yet connected parts.“Edgebound” explores how luxury travellers are seeking access to places and experiences previously considered out of bounds – from private lands to isolated eco-camps such as the Cosmoledo Atoll in the Seychelles. These itineraries promise rarity and adventure while remaining expertly orchestrated and environmentally sensitive.A parallel theme, “Soft Expeditioning,” highlights demand for expedition-style journeys in warmer regions that don’t require extreme endurance. Travellers are turning to lesser-visited parts of Indonesia, the Pacific and the Amazon for two-week adventures that feel both challenging and restorative – an ideal format for time-poor professionals looking for condensed discovery.Empowerment also shapes another emerging movement: “Women 2 Women.” Nearly 30 per cent of Audley’s country specialists report growth in solo female travel, with many clients requesting female guides to gain deeper cultural perspectives and support women-owned businesses. Over half of all UK bookings are now made by women, further signalling their influence on travel trends.In family travel, “Multi-Spoke Itineraries” are replacing one-size-fits-all approaches. Seventy per cent of Audley specialists report clients seeking bespoke plans that balance multiple interests and energy levels within one seamless trip. For example, younger travellers might explore Angkor Wat by mountain bike while older relatives tour the same temples by tuk-tuk – different experiences connected by shared storytelling and collective memory.“Brain Waves” identifies a shift from passive learning to active engagement. Travellers increasingly want encounters that challenge their thinking – such as meeting conservationists in Baja or community leaders in the Pacific – turning curiosity into connection and knowledge into insight.Finally, “Concierge Curation” captures the changing mindset of the top one per cent. These travellers are seeking strategic partners to choreograph their time over years, not months – creating multi-year itineraries that align with major life events, family milestones and personal wellbeing. For these clients, travel is no longer a lifestyle accessory but a defining framework for living.

Across every theme, the message is clear: luxury travel in 2026 is no longer about where you go, but how meaningfully you spend your time once you get there.

Photo credits: Ponant, VistaJet