The all-inclusive has grown up. According to Virtuoso's 2027 Luxe Report, which polled more than 3,100 travel advisors in over 50 countries, upscaled all-inclusive resorts top the list of ultra-luxury experiences for next year — think private villas instead of standard rooms, tasting menus instead of buffets, and service that feels personal rather than transactional.
The big picture: money keeps flowing. Some 59% of advisors expect luxury clients to spend modestly more in 2027, and another 13% predict a significant jump. Only around a quarter expect spending to stay flat. Virtuoso's read is that affluent travellers are investing more in access, quality and time — with value and safety now major factors in deciding where to go.
Europe dominates the destination rankings. Japan takes first place overall, but Italy, France, Greece and Spain fill out the rest of the top five, with Croatia, South Africa, Portugal, the UK and the US completing the top ten. Seven of the ten are European, which is good news for travellers who want high-end experiences closer to home.
Why are people going? Celebrating milestones tops the list, followed by the itch to explore somewhere new and time with loved ones. Multigenerational and immediate family trips rank high, as does expedition cruising — a natural fit for travellers who want remoteness built into the itinerary.
The report also flags a 47% surge in what it calls "ultraluxe" travel: exclusive-use properties, private guides and one-of-a-kind experiences. Celebration travel ranks second, with Greece, Bali, the Maldives, Italy and French Polynesia named the top honeymoon picks for 2027.
Two quieter trends stand out. First, privacy: as social media turns hidden gems into crowded hotspots almost overnight, wealthy travellers are paying to skip queues, crowds and cameras altogether. Second, personalisation — private tours, bespoke dining and educational experiences are replacing off-the-shelf itineraries, with personal enrichment ranking among the top motivations for travel next year.
Adventure rounds out the list. Antarctica leads the pack for active trips in 2027, ahead of South Africa, Iceland, Costa Rica and Kenya — a striking mix of polar expedition and safari territory.
For anyone planning a big trip in 2027, the takeaways are practical: book milestone travel early, consider all-inclusive properties at the top end of the market where the model has genuinely changed, and expect to pay more but get more — smaller groups, better access and itineraries built around you. Travellers chasing adventure should look at expedition-style trips before the crowds catch on, and honeymooners might find Greece or Italy offer the same polish as the Maldives with less logistics from Europe.
Story via Euronews Travel
