Granite Travel Trade Expos taps into trends as it prepares for fall events

As it gears up for its fall expos, the organizers of Granite Travel Trade Expos have released the findings of a new survey that puts Europe as top destination for 2025/2026 both for client travel and for agent education.

The 2025 Granite Travel Trade Fall Expos return Oct. 20, starting in Winnipeg, MB, and wrapping up on Nov. 6 in Hamilton, ON.

The survey was conducted in August and polled travel advisors across the country to find out what they are seeing and expecting to see for the 2025/2026 season.

Europe is the clear front-runner as a destination, (75%) with Asia a distant second (27.2%). When it comes to learning more about destinations, agents’ choices were Portugal (69.3%), followed by Thailand (46.5%), Japan (53%), Peru (38%) and Canada (26%). The Sun/Caribbean destinations remain strong with 68% of clients expressing interest in the Sun/ All-Inclusive Market.

Eco-conscious travel is growing, but not yet mainstream and is mostly driven by younger clients with 37.6% of advisors saying there’s “not much demand,” and 26% reporting it’s growing among younger travellers.

Culture, cruising, and adventure dominate client requests: more than half of agents receive requests for cultural immersion/local trips (58.9%), cruise (ocean/river) (55.9%) and adventure/active (51.5%). 51.5% say their clients are seeking unique/cultural experiences while 40% are avoiding crowds/over-tourism.

Clients are booking further out, 3–6+ months: almost half of bookings are placed 6+ months in advance (45.0%) while just 39% are booked 3–6 months in advance.

When it comes to using technology while researching: half of advisors saying their clients still prefer direct, personalized service (50.5%), and 45% use social media as an inspiration, while 27.2% are using AI trip tools.

The Fall Expo Schedule is as follows:

• Winnipeg, MB: Oct. 20, 2025
• Red Deer, AB: Oct. 21, 2025
• Kelowna, BC: Oct. 22, 2025
• Surrey, BC: Oct. 23, 2025
• Ottawa: Nov. 3, 2025
• Kingston: Nov. 4, 2025
• Vaughan: Nov. 5, 2025
• Hamilton: Nov. 6, 2025

Registration will open one month prior to each show. Attendance and parking are free, and agents can register by clicking here.

Go to www.granitetravelexpos.com for more.