If the travel industry ever needed proof that luxury travel is not only alive but thriving, Plateau International has delivered it with quiet confidence and a very full calendar.
The global luxury travel sales house has unveiled its Top 5 Travel Trend Predictions for 2026, and the message is clear: Australian and New Zealand travellers are travelling with deeper purpose, sharper taste and healthier budgets. The age of the quick-and-cheap getaway is giving way to immersive, experience-led journeys that blend cultural depth with five-star polish.
Those insights will be brought to life when eleven elite global travel brands descend on Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney and Auckland from 9 to 16 February 2026 for the Plateau International 2026 Travel Roadshow, an invitation-only showcase for travel media and trade partners hungry for what’s next in premium travel.
From boutique island escapes to African safaris and Indochinese river cruises, the roadshow offers an insider’s look at the destinations and experiences that will define the next era of luxury travel.
More details at: https://plateauinternational.com.
A Global Luxury Line-Up Touches Down
Plateau International’s portfolio reads like a curated atlas of the world’s most coveted travel experiences. Visiting Australia and New Zealand in 2026 will be niche travel purveyors, including:
Plateau International – XPERISUS Mt Fuji
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The Sanchaya, Bintan Island, Indonesia
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LABA LABA luxury safari lodges across Tanzania
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Traveline Tourism, Egypt
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Assam Bengal Navigation, India
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Lotus Cruises, Vietnam and Cambodia
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Shems Incoming, Morocco
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DiVita, Europe
Making their first-ever visit to Australia and New Zealand will be the ultra-exclusive Wakaya Private Island Resort & Spa in Fiji and Italy’s celebrated Capofaro Resort, a rare opportunity for the local trade to connect directly with emerging luxury icons.
Founder and Managing Director Marco Rosa says Plateau’s role is simple but powerful: to act as a trusted bridge between world-class travel products and the advisors who bring them to life for discerning clients.
“We provide travel trade with access to curated luxury products that often remain undiscovered in the wider market, from boutique hotels with a strong sense of place to intimate river cruises and high-end DMCs that excel in creating bespoke, experience-driven itineraries,” Rosa said.
“Advisors receive full support, robust industry relationships and access to products that are built with the travel trade in mind.
“We know travel advisors are busy, so Plateau International aims to be both efficient and inspiring through streamlined communication and in-depth product knowledge designed to save time and elevate the client experience.”
It is a refreshingly traditional philosophy in a digital age: deep relationships, genuine expertise and trusted human connection.
The Top 5 Travel Trends for 2026
Drawing on real-time booking intelligence and performance across its luxury portfolio, Plateau has identified five destinations and travel styles set to dominate the premium travel conversation in 2026.
Plateau International – LABA Grumeti Art Lodge
1. Japan: A Timeless Favourite That Keeps Evolving
With increased air capacity, year-round seasonal appeal and easy proximity, Japan remains irresistible.
“Japan is a perennially popular destination among Australians and New Zealanders with repeat visitation to explore new regions beyond the classic routes,” Rosa said.
Beyond Tokyo and Kyoto, travellers are now venturing deeper into regional Japan, chasing wellness, culinary tourism and cultural immersion with the confidence of seasoned return visitors.
2. Europe’s Southern Shift – Sicily Shines
While Europe remains a staple for antipodean travellers, the spotlight is moving south.
“We are seeing more forward bookings for Italy and Greece, followed by Spain, Portugal and France. Within Italy, Sicily offers a combination of culture, food, coastline and authenticity that resonates with travellers looking for something both classic and fresh,” Rosa said.
Sicily’s renaissance reflects a broader appetite for destinations that feel storied yet unspoilt.
3. Africa: The New Gold Standard in Transformational Travel
Luxury travel’s emotional frontier now lies firmly in Africa.
“Africa is performing incredibly well in the luxury space. Tanzania, South Africa and Namibia continue to be top choices, driven by a desire for transformative experiences, such as safaris, conservation-led travel and journeys into vast natural landscapes,” Rosa said.
The demand spans multigenerational families and solo travellers alike, united by the pursuit of meaning, not just mileage.
4. India Beyond the Golden Triangle
India is shedding its first-timer skin as return visitors dig deeper.
“We are seeing clear demand for lesser-known regions. Southern India, particularly Kerala and Tamil Nadu, appeals to those interested in wellness and slower-paced exploration, while Bengal attracts the culturally curious and Assam is being discovered by adventure and nature seekers.”
It is a classic case of travellers trading postcards for substance.
5. South Pacific & South-East Asia: Luxury Close to Home
Short-haul luxury remains strong as travellers blend convenience with indulgence.
“Across South-East Asia, Vietnam and Cambodia are showing exceptional demand. River cruising, in particular, is experiencing a renaissance as travellers seek slow-travel experiences that combine cultural immersion with comfort,” Rosa said.
From Fiji to Singapore and Bintan Island, the appetite for nearby luxury shows no signs of thinning.
A Market Maturing with Confidence
If there is a single thread connecting all five trends, it is this: the modern luxury traveller is no longer chasing novelty for novelty’s sake. They are chasing depth, authenticity, and genuine connection—preferably with a high-thread-count sheet and a world-class guide.
As Rosa summarises:
“Overall, travellers in 2026 are seeking authentic, deeply engaging experiences that blend comfort with cultural depth, and these destinations reflect that shift.”
It is a return to timeless values in travel, curiosity, craftsmanship, and immersion, wrapped in contemporary luxury.
Roadshow Dates to Mark in Red Ink
The Plateau International 2026 Travel Roadshow will host exclusive lunchtime showcases for travel media and invited trade partners in:
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Brisbane: Monday, 9 February 2026 (ASTW members and guests only)
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Melbourne: Wednesday, 11 February 2026
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Sydney: Friday, 13 February 2026
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Auckland: Monday, 16 February 2026
Venues will be confirmed closer to the dates.
The Bigger Picture
For an industry that weathered the storm of global shutdowns, the message from Plateau International is quietly reassuring: luxury travel has not merely recovered—it has matured. Australians and New Zealanders are travelling less impulsively and far more intentionally, investing in journeys that promise emotional as well as experiential rewards.
As the 2026 season comes into focus, one thing is clear. The next wave of luxury travel will not be defined by excess—but by excellence.
For further information, visit https://plateauinternational.com.
by Karuna Johnson – (c) 2025
Read Time: 4 minutes.
About the Writer
Karuna Johnson has one of those rare careers that could only belong to someone who genuinely loves travel. A Thai national with dual citizenship, she’s as comfortable swapping stories over street food in Bangkok as she is discussing strategy in a Sydney boardroom.
Educated in Thailand and Australia, Karuna speaks several languages fluently, a skill that’s served her well throughout a career spanning the inner workings of three Destination Management Companies and a string of hotels. She’s done everything from sales to admin, always with the kind of quiet competence that keeps things moving while everyone else still finds the coffee.
Her travels have taken her far and wide across Asia, Europe, and the United States, yet she still finds joy in the details: the people, the culture, and the stories behind every journey.
She’s worldly, poised, and precisely the kind of voice Global Travel Media was made for.
