What We Learned at Fiesta in the Desert 2026: New Destinations, Accessible Family Travel & More Ways to Explore

One of the best parts of being a travel advisor is that our learning never stops.

We recently attended ASTA Arizona’s Fiesta in the Desert 2026, where we had the opportunity to meet with destinations, cruise lines, tour operators, hotels and travel partners from around the world.

And yes, we came home with a LOT of notes.

From new family-friendly cruise options and sensory-inclusive resorts to immersive European adventures, expedition cruising and more accessible ways to experience our national parks, here are some of the things we’re most excited to bring back to our travelers.

Families Have More Cruise Options Than Ever

We were especially interested in what we learned from Carnival Cruise Line.

Carnival continues to expand its options for families, including adding approximately 1,000 connecting rooms on its XL-class ships, making it much easier for larger and multigenerational families to stay close together.

We were also excited to hear more about Carnival's accessibility efforts. Its ships are KultureCity Sensory Inclusive Certified, and sensory bags containing items such as noise-reducing headphones and fidgets are available for guests to borrow.

Even Carnival's Celebration Key destination has received KultureCity Sensory Inclusive Certification.

For families with sensory needs, details like these can make a significant difference when choosing the right vacation.

Expedition Cruising Isn't Just About the Destination

Expedition travel immediately caught our attention—particularly for families who want their vacations to include a little more discovery.

Think the Galápagos, Antarctica and the Northwest Passage.

These aren't necessarily vacations where you spend your sea days lounging around waiting to reach the next port. Expedition ships can include science centers, scientists and educators from universities and organizations such as NASA, and opportunities for travelers to actually participate in what they're learning.

Their philosophy? Don't be bored on board.

We love the idea for families with older children who want to unplug, explore and learn together.

And here's something else that surprised us: expedition travel has also developed a significant solo-travel following, with approximately 20–22% of travelers sailing solo.

Sometimes Luxury Really Means Space

One of our biggest takeaways from Kensington Tours was surprisingly simple: Luxury travelers increasingly want space.

That can mean private experiences, personalized itineraries and access to places or experiences that aren't available on a traditional vacation.

We heard examples ranging from highly customized trips through India to extraordinary private experiences in places such as the Louvre.

It was a great reminder that "luxury" doesn't necessarily mean gold fixtures and five-star hotels. Sometimes luxury means having an experience designed entirely around you.

Europe Can Be Active, Immersive—and Unexpected

Several conversations had us thinking differently about Europe.

Boat Bike Tours offers small-group cycling experiences—including e-bikes—that allow travelers to see communities and countryside they simply wouldn't experience from a tour bus.

We especially liked their description of the experience: active, but not extreme.

For travelers who want to immerse themselves in local culture while still having the comforts of an organized trip, this could be an incredible option.

Spain also gave us plenty of ideas. Beyond Barcelona and Madrid, there are wine regions throughout the country, opportunities to explore areas around Gibraltar and countless ways to combine food, history, culture and outdoor experiences.

And Spain will be an especially interesting destination during the 2027 total solar eclipse.

Travelers Want to Experience a Destination, Not Just See It

This theme came up again and again.

Intrepid Travel focuses heavily on traveling like a local, sustainability and experiences that connect travelers more deeply with the communities they're visiting. Depending on the itinerary, that might even mean staying with a local family.

And if you think adventure travel is primarily for twenty-somethings with backpacks, think again.

We learned that roughly half of Intrepid's travelers are over 50, with strong interest among women and solo travelers.

Meanwhile, Globus shared several trends they're seeing among today's travelers:

• More flexibility

• More off-the-beaten-path destinations

• More active and immersive experiences

• More multigenerational travel

We see many of those same trends with our own clients.

Families aren't necessarily trying to check as many attractions as possible off a list anymore. They're looking for experiences they'll actually remember.

Don't Overlook the Off-Season

One Globus program particularly caught our attention: Escapes.

These trips operate primarily from October through March, taking advantage of destinations during their quieter seasons.

That can mean fewer crowds and savings of up to 40% on certain itineraries.

For travelers who have flexibility with their dates, traveling during shoulder or off-season periods can completely change the experience—and sometimes dramatically change the price.

And for travelers looking for organized touring on a tighter budget, Cosmos offers another option focused on making guided travel more affordable.

Los Cabos Is Much More Than Cabo San Lucas

We also came home with a much better understanding of just how diverse Los Cabos really is.

Cabo San Lucas is the entertainment and activity hub most travelers recognize, including the famous Arch.

But head toward San José del Cabo, and the experience changes.

You'll find historic buildings, an active arts scene, organic farms and a much more traditional Mexican atmosphere.

Continue toward the East Cape, and travelers can experience protected natural areas, coral reefs and a completely different side of the destination.

Los Cabos also has dozens of beaches meeting high environmental standards, excellent golf, a growing culinary scene and accommodations ranging from luxury resorts to family-friendly properties.

Marine life is particularly active during the November–April high season, making it an exciting time for travelers hoping to spot whales.

New Family-Friendly All-Inclusive Options Are Coming

We also learned about a new Grand Hyatt all-inclusive resort in Los Cabos designed with families in mind.

Plans include kids and teen clubs, a kids-only pool, splash areas, multiple pools, restaurants and wellness experiences.

Because the resort is located on the Pacific side, the beach itself isn't swimmable—but the property is designed to create plenty of ways to enjoy the water without entering the ocean.

One detail that immediately caught our attention: the resort is also working on services related to mobility needs, autism and dietary restrictions.

Those are exactly the kinds of conversations we want to have with resorts on behalf of our travelers.

A Resort Taking Autism-Friendly, Accessible Family Travel Seriously

One of our favorite conversations at Fiesta in the Desert was with a representative from Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts, managed by Karisma Hotels & Resorts.

Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts in Riviera Maya and Punta Cana have achieved Autism Double-Checked certification, with programs and resources designed specifically to better support autistic and neurodivergent travelers and their families.

And we were particularly interested in what that means beyond simply having a certification.

Team members receive specialized autism-related training, and families can connect with an Autism Concierge before their trip to discuss their individual needs and prepare for their stay.

The resorts also provide visitor guides that help families better understand the sensory experience they may encounter in different areas of the property—including restaurants, pools and other resort spaces. For a family trying to anticipate where things may be louder, busier or more stimulating, that kind of information can be incredibly valuable.

Families can also discuss accommodations before arrival, including requests for quieter room locations and certain additional safety measures. And the resorts' suite-style accommodations and private or swim-up pool options can provide families with another place to retreat when someone needs a break from the activity of the main resort.

We talk frequently about the difference between a property saying, "We can accommodate you," and having actual systems in place to understand and support a family's needs.

Learning about programs like these—and, just as importantly, meeting the people behind them—helps us ask better questions when we're determining whether a resort might be the right fit for one of our families.

We're Exploring More Accessible Ways to Experience Our National Parks

Not everything we brought home from Fiesta was about cruises, resorts or international destinations.

We also made a new connection that we're especially excited about: someone who can help us explore more accessible ways for travelers with mobility challenges to experience America's national parks.

National parks can present unique challenges when you're trying to determine which trails, viewpoints, transportation options and experiences will actually work for someone's mobility needs.

Our new connection will help us better understand the options available and identify experiences for different travelers—from shorter getaways to longer national park adventures.

This is exactly why building relationships at conferences like Fiesta in the Desert matters to us.

Sometimes the most valuable thing we bring home isn't a brochure or a new destination. It's a person we can call when a client comes to us with a specific need.

Every new relationship expands the number of questions we can ask, the resources we can access and, hopefully, the number of families we can help experience places they may not have thought were possible.

Jamaica Is Moving Forward

We also received encouraging updates from Jamaica.

Tourism inventory continues to return, excursions are operating, and major resorts are reopening and improving properties.

There are also significant new developments planned for the island over the next several years, ranging from new all-inclusive resorts to large entertainment-focused properties.

For travelers who love the convenience of Mexico and the Caribbean but are ready to try somewhere different, Jamaica may deserve another look.

And Yes, There Are Even More Ways to Visit Vegas

Las Vegas continues to evolve well beyond casinos and nightlife.

Golf, outdoor adventures and nearby destinations such as Laughlin and Boulder City can make Southern Nevada surprisingly versatile.

It was another reminder of something we say frequently: sometimes the destination you think you know has an entirely different vacation hiding inside it.

Our Biggest Takeaway: There Is No "Best" Vacation

After pages and pages of notes, conversations and new ideas, this may have been our biggest takeaway from Fiesta in the Desert: There are more ways to travel than ever before.

You can bike through Europe, learn alongside scientists in Antarctica, take your kids on a sensory-inclusive cruise, stay at a resort with autism-specific resources, experience the culture and culinary scene of Mexico, explore a national park with mobility needs in mind or build a completely private luxury itinerary.

But none of those is automatically the "best" trip.

The best trip is the one that works for you.

Your family's interests.Your budget.Your energy level.Your dietary needs.Your accessibility needs.Your sensory needs.Your idea of fun.

And that's really why we attend conferences like Fiesta in the Desert.

We're not just looking for the newest hotel, cruise ship or destination. We're looking for resources. We're asking questions. We're meeting the people we can call when one of our travelers needs something specific.

Every conversation adds another tool to our toolbox.

So when a family comes to us and says:

"Here's what we need. Is there a vacation that can work for us?"

we have more knowledge, more connections and more ways to say:

Yes. Let's find it.

Because we believe travel is for everyone—and sometimes making it possible starts with simply knowing who to ask.

Ready to start planning? Contact Kaleidoscope Travel Advisors and let's find the trip that fits your family.