2026: Looking to the future
Trends Taking OVER
the NEW Year
Next year’s travel trend reports are still trickling in, but we’ve gotten some initial insight from early reporters, including Virtuoso, Forbes, Smart Flyer and TravelAge West!
While a few trends are new, we primarily are just seeing evolutions of those that have been consistently popular over the last couple of years. Good news is that we’ve already implemented programming that play into these and the product naturally fits into others. Some highlights include the below.
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Purpose-Driven Travel
Trips are increasingly aligned with personal values, including environmentalism, ethical considerations, and support for local economies.
HOW WE FIT: Ecoventura fits all of these categories, from our sustainability initiatives like the Avianca recycling partnership to the Plant-a-tree program and our local-food sourcing stats.
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Nighttime Tourism
There's growing interest in activities that take place at night, such as chasing the Northern Lights, stargazing, visiting Dark Sky Reserves, and experiencing nocturnal wildlife or phenomena like bioluminescence.
HOW WE FIT: We will continue to leverage the Photography Departures and the stargazing activity to position Ecoventura at the forefront of the persistent trend. Nothing like seeing a shooting star by night after seeing a sea star by day!
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Boutique & Exclusive Experiences
The trend is toward private and perfected experiences, whether through boutique air operators or by experiencing big brands in a more independent or "boutique" style.
HOW WE FIT: The boutique nature of Ecoventura is going to perfectly slot our cruises into this category. This trend also comes at an excellent time as big luxury brands are encroaching on the super-high-end cruising market, like Four Seasons and the Ritz. Ecoventura’s boutique-style and Ecuadorian-founded roots will continue to differentiate us.
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Transformational Travel
Travelers are seeking out journeys that lead to personal growth, self-discovery, and new perspectives.
HOW WE FIT: We have long positioned Ecoventura as the ultimate bucket-list, transformational experience — perfect to commemorate any major life change or transition. When it comes to emphasizing the self-care and growth capabilities of our sails, the Wellness Departures especially fit this trend and can be pitched if they continue in ‘26.
Full 2026 Diamond PR trends report coming soon!
GETTING READY FOR
WAVE Season
TIMELINE: JANUARY / FEBRUARY
Potentially leaving an even bigger footprint than brands’ Black Friday campaigns, last year’s WAVE season resulted in national attention for all the big companies. CNT, T+L, The Points Guy, Forbes, Luxury Travel Advisor, Cruise Critic, NerdWallet, NYT and more all put out dedicated articles starting in late December through February.
Our biggest learning lesson from last year was that it will be imperative we start pitching out any Ecoventura WAVE Season offer no later than November to make sure we are making into those big national round-ups. We are ready to make a SPLASH this year!
Potential 2026 Partners
Partnerships and collaborations with travel brands only seem to be increasing in popularity, drawing attention on social media and across traditional media platforms, especially when they intersect into the fields or lifestyle, tech and fashion.
While we know our budget is limited in comparison to other big players who can finance larger pay-for-play collabs, our team is reaching out to brands and exploring potential avenues for an aligned partner for a major activation in 2026.
Some early outreach has been conducted to Prada’s Re-Nylon division (their recycled material line) and Los Angeles fashion brand STAUD, whose resort wear collaboration with Marriott/St. Regis drove major media/social attention to both brands this past summer, resulting in press in ELLE, WWD, Haute Living, Harper’s Bazaar, Vanity Fair and more.
