Despite an uncertain geopolitical context and more substantial budgetary choices, group travel is holding up well in 2026.
At Voyamar, Aurélien Aufort, chief executive of Marietton Developpement, describes a ‘extremely good year for 2026’, while bookings for groups for 2027 are already showing a roughly 30% rise.
The same trend is observed at Syltours. Although the conflict in the Middle East has affected activity, 2026 is performing better than simply holding steady: “We lost a bit of turnover in March. It wasn’t directly linked to the conflicts, but to groups that were in transit through the Middle East, either via Dubai or Doha. We shed just over €3 million, which still represents about 5% of our turnover.”
It is not a negligible figure. Nevertheless, we are delivering a very strong 2026. And so far for 2027, we are a little more than 10% ahead of 2026, explains Jonathan Lament, CEO of Syltours.
The positive trend is also evident at Salaün. The Boutique des Groupes records an 11.3% rise, reaching a turnover of €51.2 million in 2026.
“The built-up groups were less affected because the bulk of sales had already been made before the crisis. The trend remains positive for next year,” adds Michel Salaün, president of the group.
At Voyamar, Aurélien Aufort, chief executive of Marietton Developpement, describes a ‘extremely good year for 2026’, while bookings for groups for 2027 are already showing a roughly 30% rise.
The same trend is observed at Syltours. Although the conflict in the Middle East has affected activity, 2026 is performing better than simply holding steady: “We lost a bit of turnover in March. It wasn’t directly linked to the conflicts, but to groups that were in transit through the Middle East, either via Dubai or Doha. We shed just over €3 million, which still represents about 5% of our turnover.”
It is not a negligible figure. Nevertheless, we are delivering a very strong 2026. And so far for 2027, we are a little more than 10% ahead of 2026, explains Jonathan Lament, CEO of Syltours.
The positive trend is also evident at Salaün. The Boutique des Groupes records an 11.3% rise, reaching a turnover of €51.2 million in 2026.
“The built-up groups were less affected because the bulk of sales had already been made before the crisis. The trend remains positive for next year,” adds Michel Salaün, president of the group.
A shift in confirmations from spring to summer
If demand remains robust, professionals nevertheless note a shift in client behavior. Decision times are longer.Melody Thiebaut, co-founder of LVE Travel, which works notably with CSEs, observes: “Business is doing well. What we’re seeing is that confirmation delays are much longer than usual.
CSEs still have their budgets, but they are paying more attention to the type of travel they offer and to the time frame in which they depart. They are also more budget-conscious. They won’t necessarily choose the costliest trips: they’ll shorten durations to keep costs down, for example. But travel continues and bookings still happen.”
The same phenomenon at Travel Evasion, a specialist in Egypt. The Middle East conflict has led to a shift in confirmations.
Bruno Abenin, Commercial Director, specifies: “For groups, in March, April, May and June, which are important periods, everything happened without any problem, sales had been secured upstream.
We simply notice that customers are a little wait-and-see. Normally, group bookings are made in spring, and now the confirmations arrive later. So it’s slightly delayed in time, but it’s going smoothly.”
Asia is on the rise
Gonzague de Gélis, president of Kuoni France, also describes a similar spring wait-and-see: “In May-June, we received very few responses compared with usual. We were a little worried.
In May-June, we already book for the following year. This year, we produced many quotes, but received few responses. And during the summer, in July-August, we received a lot of confirmations of group quotes we had prepared earlier.
We completely caught up on group sales for 2027.” It has really come back well. We are also fairly confident.”
On the destination side, Asia appears as one of the major winners in projections for 2027 at Syltours. Vietnam stands out in particular, while Japan also regains strong momentum after a tougher period, notably due to price increases linked to the World Expo.
Indonesia also remains a safe-haven destination for groups, while robust air connectivity across Asia helps keep prices competitive. Asia is also finding a place in LVE Travel’s order books.
In May-June, we already book for the following year. This year, we produced many quotes, but received few responses. And during the summer, in July-August, we received a lot of confirmations of group quotes we had prepared earlier.
We completely caught up on group sales for 2027.” It has really come back well. We are also fairly confident.”
On the destination side, Asia appears as one of the major winners in projections for 2027 at Syltours. Vietnam stands out in particular, while Japan also regains strong momentum after a tougher period, notably due to price increases linked to the World Expo.
Indonesia also remains a safe-haven destination for groups, while robust air connectivity across Asia helps keep prices competitive. Asia is also finding a place in LVE Travel’s order books.
The professionals interviewed remain confident for 2027
Other destinations are riding high, such as South Africa “which is starting up very strongly” at Syltours, as well as at LVE Travel.
Canada is also among the growing destinations at Syltours. Jonathan Lament even notes the emergence of inquiries for Western Canada, which could offer an alternative to circuits in the American West. The United States, by contrast, presents a more mixed picture. New York was “really slowing down” in 2026, according to Lament, who nevertheless anticipates a rebound in 2027.
South America, meanwhile, does not seem to captivate due to high prices, notes Mélody Thiebaut of LVE Travel. The outlook is nuanced at Syltours. The operator plans to run nearly 100 groups in South America in 2026. For Jonathan Lament, demand exists but requires more commercial effort: “you have to go after them because air service is less developed than in Asia, for example, and thus less competitive.”
At this stage, the professionals surveyed remain confident for 2027. In this election year, they adjust travel dates to avoid departures on election weekends in April and May 2027. And despite the geopolitical uncertainties that may still weigh on activity, groups performed well in 2026 and bookings are picking up again… a promising sign for the months ahead.
Canada is also among the growing destinations at Syltours. Jonathan Lament even notes the emergence of inquiries for Western Canada, which could offer an alternative to circuits in the American West. The United States, by contrast, presents a more mixed picture. New York was “really slowing down” in 2026, according to Lament, who nevertheless anticipates a rebound in 2027.
South America, meanwhile, does not seem to captivate due to high prices, notes Mélody Thiebaut of LVE Travel. The outlook is nuanced at Syltours. The operator plans to run nearly 100 groups in South America in 2026. For Jonathan Lament, demand exists but requires more commercial effort: “you have to go after them because air service is less developed than in Asia, for example, and thus less competitive.”
At this stage, the professionals surveyed remain confident for 2027. In this election year, they adjust travel dates to avoid departures on election weekends in April and May 2027. And despite the geopolitical uncertainties that may still weigh on activity, groups performed well in 2026 and bookings are picking up again… a promising sign for the months ahead.
