W hether it’s a quick domestic escape or an ambitious journey abroad, the definition of luxury travel has shifted for many jetsetters — away from opulence for its own sake and toward exclusive access, transformation, and cultural depth.

“We’re witnessing a shift towards intentional travel in 2026,” says Cristina Levis, CEO at Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group . “Our guests aren’t just seeking beautiful destinations – they want experiences that challenge perspectives, forge genuine connections, and create lasting impact,” she says.

Virtuoso, a leading network for luxury travel , cited in their annual Virtuoso Luxe Report that high-end globetrotters are no longer seeing luxury travel as a checklist of buzzy hotels to visit, but instead as necessary journeys with more meaning, rest

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