G Adventures has released its first Travel Your Heart Out: Happiness List 2026 in response to a new global study by Opinion Matters.
According to the research, 85% of British respondents say travel contributes to long-term happiness, while 76% feel happier day-to-day when they have a trip booked, compared to just 39% without a holiday planned.
Nearly seven in 10 travellers now choose trips based on experiences rather than destinations, a figure rising to over 80% among adventure travellers.
Increasingly, travellers are seeking awe, belonging and deeper cultural understanding, with 79% reporting that travel makes them more empathetic and 83% factoring ethics into who they travel with.
Sustainability and community connection are also key, with travellers prioritising locally-owned stays, avoiding overcrowded spots and opting for off-peak or off-the-beaten-track escapes.
Alongside emotional fulfilment, balance is high on the agenda: 65% say longer breaks make them happier, while travellers want both time to decompress and opportunities for activity and exploration.
Food also plays a meaningful role, with 30% citing culinary discovery as a top happiness driver.
In response, G Adventures has launched 10 new trips designed around the experiences travellers say bring them the most joy from remote landscapes and cultural immersion to family bonding and slow-travel escapes.
Key new G Adventures experiences include:
- Panama beaches and city adventure
Panama City and the remote San Blas Islands combine culture and digital-detox island life. Six days are priced from £699pp. - Silk Road journey through the Stans
A 23-day historical and cultural deep dive across Central Asia with National Geographic Journeys. Costs from £5,649pp. - Arctic expedition cruise
Remote wilderness, wildlife and time on the water aboard the new G Expedition. 11-days are priced from £5,499pp. - Moldova food and wine discovery
Underground wine cellars, local cuisine workshops and community visits. Seven-days priced from £1,099pp. - New “Local Living” trips in France, Morocco and Iceland
Extended stays in community-focused accommodation to ‘live like a local’. Six-days costs from £1,629pp. - Total solar eclipse journeys in Egypt and Morocco (2027)
VIP viewing access paired with cultural touring, priced from £2,679pp. - National Geographic Family Journey in Ecuador
Amazon rainforest lodges, wildlife and cultural experiences across nine- days, priced from £2,229pp. - Southern Africa wildlife and conservation itinerary
Ethical safari experiences across Zimbabwe, Kruger and Cape Winelands over 17-days, costing from £7,999pp. - Sri Lanka sailing escape
Slow-travel catamaran journey with coastal stops and wildlife sightings. Seven-days are priced from £1,259 - Solo-ish Guatemala adventure
Community-focused experiences, Mayan history and culinary immersion. Nine-days costs from £1,049pp.
G Adventures also added new Canada product earlier this year.
G Adventures says these findings reflect a shift toward travel as a source of wellbeing and personal growth — not just a holiday. The brand claims 2026 could be “the happiest travel year yet” as travellers look for experiences that leave them energised, connected and inspired.
