Explore Worldwide’s Big Blue Sale is off to a strong start across Australia and New Zealand, with bookings up 70 per cent year-on-year in the first three weeks of the sale and clear trends emerging around destination choice, travel style, and solo travel for 2026.
Several destinations are showing exceptional growth. Morocco is the standout performer, up 550 per cent year-on-year, followed by Malta (350 per cent) and Turkey (200 per cent), signalling strong appetite for culturally rich Mediterranean and North African journeys. Traditional European favourites are also performing strongly, with Portugal up 50 per cent, Italy up 46 per cent and Greece up 36 per cent, while Croatia continues to see steady growth.
Travel style trends show particularly strong momentum for more immersive and active experiences. Discovery and Active holidays are leading growth, with the Discovery range up 86 per cent and Active (walking and cycling combined) holidays up 47 per cent year-on-year. Cycling has emerged as a standout, recording growth of 88 per cent, while Walking and Trekking holidays are also up 38 per cent.
Among Active holidays, the most popular destinations booked so far include Italy, Portugal, Croatia and France, reflecting a growing preference among Australian and New Zealand travellers for slower-paced, experience-led travel that combines iconic sights with physical activity.
Solo travel continues to play a significant role in the region’s performance, with solo bookings up 45%, highlighting ongoing demand for small-group travel that offers flexibility, connection and independence without the need to travel with a companion.
Most popular trips
Within the opening weeks of the sale, the most popular trips booked by AU/NZ travellers include:
- Greek Island Walking Holiday
- Historic Baltic Republics
- Malta and Gozo Discovery
- Morocco Adventure Holiday
- Sicily Island Tour
- Hiking in the Dolomites
“The early performance of the Big Blue Sale has been incredibly encouraging and really reinforces how confident Australian and New Zealand travellers are feeling about planning ahead for 2026,” Explore Worldwide regional director AU/NZ Ben Ittensohn said. “Seeing bookings up 70 per cent year-on-year at this stage of the sale is a strong signal of demand.
“Destinations like Morocco, Malta and Turkey are resonating strongly, particularly when combined with active or discovery-style itineraries that offer depth, culture and a sense of adventure. We’re also seeing continued strength in solo travel, which remains a core part of our audience in this region.
“With strong growth across Discovery, Cycling and Walking holidays, it’s clear that travellers are prioritising meaningful, experience-led journeys, and the Big Blue Sale is giving them a great opportunity to lock those in early at exceptional value.”
