Surprising 'comeback destination' set to boom for Aussie travellers
Updated . First published
It's pretty easy to pinpoint the most popular travel destinations.
Places like Japan, Bali, USA and China always top the list of holiday spots for Aussies.
But an unlikely country has entered the list.
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The Nile River is a popular cruising spot. Getty
Egypt is set to have a 'comeback' in 2026, according to travel expert Mark Trim.
"The demand has been brewing in recent years, but the confidence is now there due to the increased stability in the region," Mark, Founder and Managing Director of Flat Beds tells 9Travel.
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We all have a mental image of what Egypt looks like - sand, the Pyramids, the Sphinx, and crowded market bazaars.
But Mark says that Aussies are now looking beyond the typical highlights to explore more of Egypt.
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"Travellers are moving beyond the simple Pyramids tour. They're looking for immersive experiences, whether it's the high-end Red Sea resorts, luxury Nile river cruises or exclusive access to restored temples," he says.
There's recently been a huge investment in tourism infrastructure in the North African country, to improve the quality of experiences for visitors.
Mark says this has helped Egypt see a "significant spike of interest for 2026".
Most recently the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) has opened in Cairo, which is now the world's largest archaeological museum dedicated to a single civilisation.
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The history is mind-blowing. Getty
The GEM is home to an estimated total of over 100,000 artifacts, covering ancient Egyptians from the Predynastic Period to Roman Egypt..
Smartraveller advises Australians to 'Exercise a High Degree of Caution' in Egypt overall due to terrorism threats.
Mark also says that in 2026, Aussie travellers are moving away from travel to the classic, busy capital cities, and embracing lesser-known destinations instead.
A desire to escape the crowds of London and Paris is driving huge growth in cities like Milan and Istanbul as the next 'it' European destinations.
In Europe, cities like Milan and Istanbul are our picks to become the 'it' destinations in 2026. They will continue to see huge volumes of travellers with great value airfares driving growth as gateway cities, over the traditionally popular options," says Mark.
Istanbul is emerging as an 'it' destination. Getty
Milan will also host the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games in February, which will no doubt lead to a boost in tourism during the European summer.
He also tips the Greek Island of Paros as a popular new destination, as people look for alternatives outside of overcrowded hot spots like Mykonos and Athens.
"More than ever, travellers are looking to get off the beaten track."
Closer to home, while Japan and Vietnam continue to boom, Mark expects Hong Kong to become a very popular spot for Aussies - both as a stopover and as a destination in itself.
