Travel Leaders Network’s (TLN) 20 top leisure travel agencies, which collectively account for $2.5 billion in annual preferred partner travel sales, are poised for a profitable 2026, thanks in large part to strong cruise demand, amplified marketing strategies and learning how to capitalize on artificial intelligence (AI).
During the company’s Leisure Leaders Meeting, which was held in Coral Gables, Fla., TLN surveyed 20 of its highest-producing leisure agency owners, who assessed their prospects for the year ahead.
“Our top agencies are confident heading into 2026,” said Travel Leaders Network President Lindsay Pearlman. “Luxury and cruising continue to deliver exceptional returns, and even slower categories remain stable. This is proof of a healthy leisure market overall.”
A Growing Luxury Market
In all, 95 percent of the agency owners polled said they anticipate “gains in premium and luxury segments” with “nearly half projecting increases of more than 10%,” TLN said.
“River cruising remains especially strong, with all respondents predicting growth,” according to respondents.
“Land-based travel is also rising, particularly escorted tours and FIT, while all-inclusive and group travel are steady but slower-growing categories,” according to the survey.
One caveat, however, is that 45% of the agency owners expressed concern about the economy and 20% cited politics as another concern.
Investing in Marketing and Tech
In other survey findings, half of the agencies polled expect to “increase marketing budgets by 10% or more, 35% are investing in new technology, including AI-driven tools, 30% will recruit more independent contractors and 45% intend to raise employee wages.”
On the marketing front, the agency owners said that the most valuable marketing channels were “social media, paid search and email, areas where TLN offers tailored programs like Social Share Pro, Engagement Marketing and exclusive agency-branded publications.”
Capitalizing on AI
AI, meanwhile, “has firmly entered the travel agency mainstream,” the survey found. “Only 5% of respondents said they have no plans to use AI, while most are integrating it into customer service (69%), marketing communications and advisor profile writing on TravelLeaders.com, TLN’s award-winning consumer lead-generation platform.”
Last but not least, all agency owners polled said they advantage of TLN’s “exclusive consumer offers – including onboard credits, value-added amenities and prepaid gratuities – to deliver more value to clients.”
Ninety percent of the agency owners said they capitalize on TLN’s bonus commission programs to incentivize advisors, with 60% noting that “preferred-partner promotions are major profit drivers.”
“These leaders show how partnership, innovation and scale translate into growth,” Pearlman said. “Their success underscores why being part of Travel Leaders Network is such a competitive advantage.”
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