As a travel adviser at Top Tier Travel, Olivia Ferney has a front-row seat to the luxury industry. Ferney offers a glimpse of her day-to-day—including calls with clients who have ultra-specific, often outlandish requests—across social media, where she has more than 799,000 followers on Instagram and 653,000 on TikTok.
Here, Ferney shares the destinations, trends, and evolving expectations that are shaping what high-end travel will look like in the months to come.
What are the biggest luxury travel trends you saw in 2025?
Olivia Ferney: Privacy has been and will continue to be one of the most important requests from my clients. People want to feel completely removed from the chaos of the world. This year, we also saw a rise in new, untouched experiences. Everyone wants to try things no one else has done yet, whether that is a hidden island, a remote boutique ski lodge, or a tiny family-run restaurant on the countryside of Italy that no one on Instagram has discovered.
Which destinations are most popular among luxury travelers right now?
OF: For end of year travel, St. Barts, Australia, and Dubai are the top choices. Summer bookings have already started, and it is clear we are going to see a lot of mega-yachting in the Greek Islands again. I am also predicting that safaris will be one of the biggest luxury travel booms of 2026. Clients want raw nature with high-end comfort.
Dubai remains a must-visit destination for high-end clients
What forms of personalization do clients request?
OF: It’s become extremely elevated. This includes fully customized menus and complex dietary needs; specific villa layouts with reading rooms, a chef’s kitchen, or office space; private or hidden hotel entrances; and suites with private pools. Regardless of what is requested, we always add emotional touches—something small and thoughtful that shows we understand who they are.
Which brands or accommodations are on your radar?
OF: Aman, Four Seasons, and Ritz-Carlton are always battling for my top spot. Watching all three launch yacht products in the same year has been incredible. It feels like the ultimate luxury showdown. Yachting itself is exploding, especially among clients who want full privacy and control. Mega suites are also trending upward. Everyone wants more space, more privacy, and more exclusivity. Resorts built around wellness, sustainability, and local immersion are becoming extremely popular across all age groups as well.
Mistral restaurant on Luminara, part of the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
What travel trends do you expect to see more of in 2026?
OF: I expect even more private villas and residences with staff; high-end wellness retreats that blend medical, holistic, and longevity practices; soft adventure trips like safaris, Antarctica, Patagonia, and the Arctic; yachting, yacht charters, and yacht/hotel hybrids; and weeklong destination experiences built around concerts, F1, festivals, and major global events. 2026 will be the year of privacy, personalization, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
How do you see the definition of luxury evolving?
OF:Â Luxury is not one size fits all. It is the feeling of being deeply understood.
Superyachts like Aman at Sea, launching in 2027, are trending upward
This article originally appeared in HD’s December 2025 issue.
