Despite a tumultuous year, study findings reveal a travel-filled 2017. Virtuoso, a company that supplies travellers with access to some of the world’s best travel advisors, revealed trends for luxury travel in 2017, and some are surprising.

2017 will see a continued and significant growth in travellers craving customized local experiences and seeking adventure in less explored regions of the world. In particular, it is likely there will be a rise in luxury travel to places with a sense of urgency, such as destinations undergoing rapid changes or that may become off limits due to natural or political limitations. Topping the list of urgent travel destinations are Cuba, the Arctic, Lanai, Venice and Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.

Luxury travellers are expected to splurge in 2017 on exclusive experiences and more active journeys. From hiring personal guides for exclusive hiking tours to booking a private jet for an around-the-world journey or chartering a yacht for a private sailing tour, travellers are looking for something unique while still maintaining traditional service, comfort and amenities.

The luxury cruise industry will see significant growth in small cruise itineraries and river cruises that allow travellers to really get to the heart of a destination. Luxury cruise lines will be offering more expedition-based and experiential itineraries that are more nature-focused and intimate. These itineraries allow access to more remote destinations that cannot be reached by larger ships.

With more to see and new things to do, international trips are expected to last longer than two weeks in the New Year, as travellers continue to more fully immerse themselves in the destinations to which they travel.

According to Virtuoso, the luxury travel industry will offer more customized travel based on individual interests and abilities in top 2017 destinations such as South Africa, the Galápagos Islands, Costa Rica, New Zealand, Peru and Iceland. Croatia topped the prediction list for river cruise destination. Virtuoso also listed top travel motivations for 2017 including the exploration of new destinations, seeking authentic experiences, rest and relaxation, personal enrichment and adventure.

Luxury travel has seen significant shifts in recent years, as transportation and accommodation industries are faced with the challenge of combining contemporary experiences along with traditional luxury service. Only time will tell if these experience-based luxury travel trends are here to stay.