Travel Planners International’s new TPI Trendcast, a quarterly trend report based on a survey of its nearly 5,800 member advisors for what they’re selling, trends they are seeing and how bookings are doing, is reporting that while world issues and rising gas prices are making some travelers hesitate, overall, travel is still strong.
Jenn Lee, TPI President and CMO and President & CMO of Vacation Planners, a host agency, said in a media statement, “2026 was off to a really strong start. The war in the Middle East has given some travelers pause, but overall, trips—particularly cruises and land tours—are selling well. While some people may be shifting where they travel, they are still traveling.”
According to the report, TPI advisors note that 2026 summer travel still appears strong, mainly because most people booked before the Middle East crisis, but some people have put their travel plans on pause or are booking with shorter windows.
“Our role as advisors has never been more important,” said Lee. “We have to help our clients navigate uncertain times. Help them understand the geography—and where the crisis is in relation to key European cities—as well as help them book trips that make them feel safe and secure so they can continue to travel. We also need to educate them on travel insurance—why it’s important, how it works, when it can be used and when it can’t.”
Travelers’ anxiety over the war has caused the Caribbean to shoot to the top of the vacation hot list, particularly on the cruise front. TPI advisors are reporting that they are getting more summer requests than normal. This also aligns with added ships sailing year-round in the Caribbean and ships shifting from the Arabian Gulf to the Caribbean.
The report also found that Japan continues to dominate in its popularity, with TPI advisors still getting a lot of requests for both land travel and cruises. In fact, travel to see the cherry blossoms was very strong this season.
That said, Europe is still top of mind for most travelers, with TPI advisors reporting that they
On the homefront, Hawaii has rebounded with TPI advisors receiving many requests, particularly for Maui. One advisor said she had received 10 calls in a week for Hawaii travel.
But what type of travel are vacationers requesting? TPI advisors report that the majority of requests are for bespoke, curated, customized experiences on the higher-end. Said Lee, “Luxury is no longer just about price, it’s about having highly personalized and unique experiences that speak to the individual traveler or group.”
