Albania
Right on the Adriatic, Albania is stepping into the spotlight as Europe’s new summer hot spot. “It’s the next obvious place where you blend beautiful beaches with great people and family-style cooking,” says Mayle. Beaches like Ksamil (known as the Maldives of Europe), historic towns such as Berat and a welcoming culture are part of the draw—along with prices that remain modest compared to nearby Mediterranean hotspots like Croatia and Greece.
The Bahamas Out Islands
Closer to home, the Caribbean continues to evolve. Mayle highlights an upcoming project in the Out Islands from The Ocean Club, a Four Seasons Resort. “It’s exciting to see the Out Islands getting more attention,” he says.
The Expert: Georgia Schley Ritchie - The Travel Counsel
For Georgia Schley Ritchie, a former attorney who founded an Atlanta-based agency, The Travel Counsel, luxury travel is all about matching clients with experiences that feel both extraordinary and personal. Her host agency—Global Travel Collection—is one of the largest luxury travel networks in the world. Ritchie told me in an interview that her team handles “absolutely everything,” but their specialties include safaris, Japan and Europe.
Right now, she sees two clear shifts: the rise of “coolcations” (cooler destinations for summer travel) and renewed attention to underexplored corners of classic spots. “We definitely see people steering more to countries like Iceland, Norway and Scotland,” she says. She also encourages travelers to go during shoulder season: April, May, September. “You can get away from the crowds—and escape the heat.” Here are the places she’s most excited about.
Sicily, Italy
Sicily may have had its “White Lotus” moment, but Ritchie says the island is far from overexposed. “People have been to a lot of other places in Italy, but not always Sicily,” she notes. With ancient ruins, dramatic coastlines and an emerging food-and-wine scene, Sicily offers more variety than many people realize. She’s a fan of Villa Igiea, a Rocco Forte property in Palermo set in a restored palazzo, as one of the island’s standouts. “It’s a renovated palace, just fabulous,” she says. And while most travelers still gravitate toward Taormina and the east coast, Ritchie believes the west will see more interest as luxury options expand.
Namibia
For safari lovers who have already ticked off Botswana or Tanzania, Namibia offers a fresh perspective. “It may not be a first-time safari destination, but I would say for the next one, go to Namibia. It’s very cool,” she says, pointing to the sheer diversity of experiences compared to other safari destinations. Think desert-adapted elephants and lions, surreal dunes of the Namib Desert and stark, cinematic landscapes.
Rwanda
Demand for gorilla trekking shows no signs of slowing, and Ritchie says Rwanda is leading the way and a definite “hot spot” for the kind of once-in-a-lifetime experiences people are prioritizing now.
Zimbabwe
Ritchie recently visited Zimbabwe with her daughter and business partner and came away impressed. “We finished at Lake Kariba at a six-star property called Fothergill Island, and it was amazing,” she says. Combined with Victoria Falls—one of the natural wonders of the world—Zimbabwe is reemerging as a premier safari destination. “It went off the radar for a while, but it’s back,” she says.
Bhutan
Earlier this year, Ritchie led a client trip to Bhutan, and it left a lasting mark. “That should be on everybody’s bucket list. It’s not overtouristed because they took care of that when they decided they were going to open the country to tourism. It’s very interesting, amazing food, a beautiful country. The people are amazing,” she says. Her top place to stay is &Beyond Punakha River Lodge, which she describes as “to die for.”
Iceland And The Nordics
Cooler climates are increasingly appealing to her clients, with destinations like Iceland, Norway and Scotland becoming summer favorites for travelers looking to escape the heat. Ritchie recently sailed with Ponant in Iceland. “It was everything you’d want in a luxury small cruise line,” she says. “It was amazing service, incredible food. It was French and had a really interesting clientele. It’s a small ship, and it never felt crowded. The service was impeccable.”
Explora Journeys
She also praises Explora Journeys, a newer small ship cruise line she compares to “a Four Seasons on the water,” thanks to its elegant design, standout art and diverse dining options. “We love Explora and everybody that we’ve put on it has loved it, too.”
Madrid, Spain
As a self-professed palace hotel junkie, Ritchie is especially excited about the reimagining of Santo Mauro, a historic palace transformed by designer Lorenzo Castillo. “Anything that he touches is absolutely splendid,” she says. Madrid itself is also gaining ground as more travelers look beyond Barcelona. With world-class museums, tree-lined boulevards and an evolving dining scene, it offers the perfect mix of history and modernity.
Utah
Closer to home, Ritchie is watching the rise of Black Desert Resort in Utah. Set among the red rocks near Zion National Park, the sprawling project combines championship golf with luxury residences, a wellness-focused spa and outdoor adventure. “It’s the kind of place that can redefine what a U.S. desert vacation looks like,” she says. With national parks nearby and a design that blends seamlessly with the landscape, Black Desert offers travelers an American alternative to long-haul adventure travel.
The Expert: David Rappel
For more than three decades, Miami-based advisor David Rappel has specialized in high-touch, highly customized itineraries for an elite global clientele. He says his style is hands-on: “My phone is never off,” Rappel told me in an interview. And he describes himself as more of a concierge-style travel advisor: “I’m very involved, down to the smallest touches that make a client’s stay exactly what they want.”
Rappel is affiliated with Global Travel Collection, a division of Internova, and his clients—from tech entrepreneurs to C-suite executives to famous celebs—expect not just five-star service but seamless logistics, private access and even security considerations. And the sky is the limit: He orchestrated a private “Amazing Race”-style scavenger hunt across Hong Kong for one client. “I have discovered all is possible for a price,” he says. Closing down the Sistine Chapel for a client? No problem. The only wish he couldn’t grant was closing the Sydney Bridge for a private dinner, which one client wanted.
Rappel says that ILTM North America is where he reconnects with trusted partners and discovers the newest properties that will define what’s next in travel. “I hear about new trends at the show, and I am looking forward to hearing about new opportunities for my clients,” he says. Here are the destinations and hotels on his radar.
Abacos, The Bahamas
“This is an easy-to-get-to destination from the USA. These islands are a perfect escape, less than an hour by flight from Florida,” he says. While Nassau is the gateway, Rappel urges travelers to explore the Out Islands, where the beaches are quieter and the atmosphere more exclusive. “The Out Islands are worth the visit.” One of the most anticipated openings is Montage Cay in the Abacos, a private-island resort that will bring Montage’s brand of understated luxury to the Out Islands. Rappel also notes that the one-to-one peg between the Bahamian and U.S. dollars makes it an easy choice for American travelers.
New York City
“What can’t be said about this city, from the museums to Broadway. As always there is something new, in this case it’s two hotels,” says Rappel. The first is the newly reopened Waldorf Astoria New York. “The Grande Dame is back,” he says, noting that it’s “the glamour of the Gilded Age meets modern expectations.” The hotel has returned with just 375 rooms and suites—down from more than 1,400 pre-renovation. The smaller scale means more space, light and attention to detail. “The next highly anticipated hotel opening is a true favorite of mine from Miami Beach: the Faena New York.” Expect a bold design, cool art programming and just 120 rooms and suites.
London
London continues to be a favorite for his business and leisure clients, and Rappel is watching two new arrivals closely. The first is The Chancery Rosewood, a transformation of the former U.S. Embassy on Grosvenor Square into a “hospitality wonderland.” The second: Six Senses London, the Asian wellness-focused brand’s entry into the U.K. market. Located in Bayswater, it will feature a three-floor spa and a massive indoor pool. “Highlights include 3,500 square feet dedicated to fitness and a 65-foot indoor swimming pool,” says Rappel.
Costa Rica
In Costa Rica, Rappel is excited about Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve within the protected Papagayo Peninsula. With just 36 villas and 14 estate homes, the property will emphasize sustainability and cultural immersion alongside Ritz-Carlton’s signature service. “It’s the kind of place that forces even established neighbors like Four Seasons to step up their game,” he says.
The Expert: Jason C. Miller - Accomplished
Jason C. Miller didn’t start his career in travel—he spent a decade in pharmaceuticals before founding Accomplished in 2006. But his pivot wasn’t just professional; it was personal. “I decided to turn my love of travel into a career…one focused on meaningful connections, top-notch service and truly memorable experiences around the world,” he told me in an interview. Today, Miller leads a global team that designs trips for travelers who expect style, depth and insider access every step of the way.
Miller says he is most excited about how luxury city hotels are evolving and “bringing wellness, heritage and cutting-edge design into urban environments,” he says. “Travelers want to be in the heart of the action without giving up the chance to recharge, and 2026 will be a big year for city stays that feel as restorative as a resort.”
He’s also seeing an evolution with established luxury brands that are leading the way in a new kind of travel—“one that mixes culture, design, wellness and personal touches to create trips people remember just as much for how they felt as for where they went.”
For Miller, ILTM North America is a chance to stay ahead of the curve. “ILTM North America is one of the most inspiring events in the travel industry. It has that perfect mix of being intimate but still super impactful…bringing together top hotels and destinations from around the globe with the best North American travel advisors,” he says. “I always walk away with fresh ideas, new connections and a better sense of where luxury travel is headed.” Here’s what’s on his radar for 2026.
New York City
Echoing fellow advisor David Rappel, Miller has his eye on two major Manhattan openings that promise to reshape the city’s luxury landscape: Waldorf Astoria New York (“a true icon is making a comeback—blending its rich history with a fresh take on luxury,” he says) and Faena New York (“Faena’s signature blend of art, culture, and hospitality will bring fresh energy to New York City’s luxury scene”).
The Chancery Rosewood, London
Miller also agrees with Rappel when it comes to London’s Chancery Rosewood. “A historic landmark (former U.S. Embassy) turned modern masterpiece, offering Rosewood’s signature residential style in one of London’s most prestigious locations,” he says.
Six Senses’ European Capitals: London, Rome, Milan
Wellness in the heart of the city—that’s what excites Miller about Six Senses’ expansion into Europe’s capitals, including new locations in London, Rome and Milan. “Six Senses always delivers the wellness experience they’re known for—this time in major cities,” he says.
Mandarin Oriental, Vienna
Vienna is having a moment, and Mandarin Oriental, Vienna is cementing it with this transformation of a 19th-century courthouse. “This one should be the perfect mix of Viennese heritage and contemporary sophistication, destined to be a new hot spot in Vienna,” says Miller.
