From a downturn in U.S. bookings to a surge in trips to Africa, travel advisors reveal what’s trending and where clients are going

U.S. travel slows but bucket list travel remains hot

I’ve had one cancellation for an Alaska cruise but then five new bookings on the same day for Alaska sailings. Otherwise, most of my clients are putting things on hold for the US until everything is friendly again. Those that have booked to the U.S. – Alaska cruises, New Orleans, Disney – are all still travelling.

Amanda Rauh, The Travel Agent Next Door, Nanaimo, B.C. 

Off-the-beaten-path travel and small ship cruising is big

Overall, there is more interest in off-the-beaten-path and exploration travel to destinations like Japan, Korea, Cambodia, Vietnam, Botswana, Namibia and Uganda. [I’ve also noticed growing demand] for small ship cruising, river and barge cruises. People want to cruise on ships that have less than 200 passengers. Cruising to the unbeaten paths of South East Asia, Amazon cruises, African rivers and exploring small European rivers.

LeoPaul Cormier, Maritime Travel, Toronto, Ont.

There’s no place like home

I think travelling in Canada will become the next big thing, although it has been for years, I’m listening to people telling me that they want to see coast-to-coast in their bucket lists.

Dawn Fairbanks, Northstar Travel, Guelph, Ont.

Europe and Caribbean bookings are strong

We’re seeing a strong increase in demand for European travel, along with a surge in advance bookings for the Caribbean, especially for late 2025 and well into 2026.

Michelle Owens, Marlin Travel Brantford, Waterford, Ont.

Travellers are booking extended trips + demand for Africa surges

We are seeing people travelling for extended periods of time, in all age ranges. We have multiple clients doing two-month trips. We’ve also seen a resurgence of interest in Africa as a whole. This includes safaris but also off the beaten path destinations such as West Africa.

Shari Tucker, Love the Way You Travel, Halifax, NS