Leisure Travel Poised for Significant Growth in 2026, According to New Report
Leisure travel continued to show strength across all sectors in 2025 and is projected to experience a significant surge in 2026. This is according to the latest Internova Index: North American Traveler Insights released on December 16, 2024. The report, produced by Internova Travel Group, one of the leading travel services companies worldwide, indicates a rise in consumer confidence and an increased demand for travel advisor services.
Despite concerns related to tariffs and other economic events, Americans embarked on an average of 6.4 trips in 2024. Looking forward to 2026, the survey reveals that 27% of respondents anticipate increasing their leisure travel, while a significant 62% plan to engage a travel advisor for planning and booking the majority of their trips. This substantial increase reflects the growing value travelers place on professional expertise.
“Based on our research, we’re optimistic about the outlook for leisure travel in 2026,” says Henry Gilroy, Executive Vice President of Strategy for Internova.
The report discovered that 70% of respondents utilized a travel advisor for their most recent international trip, with destination expertise being the primary reason for booking with advisors.
Travelers are increasingly relying on advisors not only for their destination knowledge but also for assistance with complex arrangements such as visas, understanding personal travel preferences, and support during unexpected travel disruptions. Luxury travelers, in particular, appreciate advisors’ ability to manage complicated itineraries and save time.
The 2025 Internova Index utilized proprietary data from millions of travel bookings by North American residents and surveyed 4,000 travelers across all age and wealth groups. This provided comprehensive insights into evolving travel behaviors and preferences.
Source: Internova Index Finds Leisure Travel Demand Set to Surge into 2026