by Natasha Lair
Last updated: 9:50 AM ET, Thu August 7, 2025
Kensington Tours has released its Mid-Year Trend Report: Navigating Uncertainty in Affluent Travel.
Drawing on booking patterns and survey data collected in June 2025 with Dig Insights, the report highlights shifts in luxury travel, including a surge in domestic trips, a continued appetite for ultra-luxe experiences, and evolving interest in African destinations beyond traditional safaris.
“We’re in a moment where global unpredictability is testing assumptions across the industry,” said Matt Cammaert, SVP of Marketing and Outside Sales.
“And yet, the data tells a story of travelers who are adapting, not retreating.”
Travelling Closer to Home
While about half of respondents reported no significant change in travel habits, Kensington saw a 60% increase in domestic bookings and a rise in shorter trips, now making up more than 9% of 2025 sales.
Cammaert said the trend reflects a desire for “control” and “reduced friction,” with travellers citing shorter flights and flexible planning as key motivators.
Luxury Still in Demand
Despite economic headwinds, bookings in the ultra-luxe segment—trips priced at $2,000 to over $3,000 per person per day—have surged.
Yacht charter sales rose 94% year-over-year, and top-tier bookings exceeding $3,000 per day jumped nearly 64%.
“Their expectations are high, and they want experiences they can tell stories about – even boast about,” said Edita Sgovio, VP of Kensington Yachts & Expeditions.
Africa Beyond Safari
Safari bookings are up over 50% in early 2025, but Kensington notes a growing interest in immersive experiences across Africa, including cultural exploration and gorilla trekking in Uganda.
“Travelers are becoming increasingly interested in immersive experiences that allow them to step outside the 4x4 safari vehicles and engage and interact with the people and places they're visiting,” the report states.
Full report here.
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