Condé Nast Traveler
March 11, 2026
AdventureSmith Explorations is proud to announce that four members of our team have been named to Condé Nast Traveler’s 2026 list of Top Travel Specialists.
Founder and President Todd Smith earned the recognition for the 13th consecutive year, joined by Andrew Browning for the second time. Adventure Specialists Arielle Lightcap and Leslie Camacho were also named to the list for the first time, marking the largest group of AdventureSmith advisors recognized by the publication to date.
Condé Nast Traveler’s annual list of Top Travel Specialists highlights advisors known for deep destination knowledge, trusted industry relationships and a consistent ability to design exceptional travel experiences. Selections are made by the publication’s editors based on expertise, firsthand experience and a commitment to crafting thoughtful, personalized journeys.
Trends from Our Top Travel Specialists
“Travelers are going smaller than ever. We’re seeing a clear demand in micro and small ships, especially those carrying 30 guests or fewer, where our bookings grew 20% in 2025.” Todd Smith
“Expedition cruising is embracing solo travelers, particularly in the polar regions. New ships are being designed with more dedicated solo cabins, some even with balconies, while other ships waive single supplement fees for as many as 10 cabins per departure.” Andrew Browning
“Next-generation sustainable expedition ships. Hybrid-electric and low-emission vessels are becoming the new standard in expedition cruising. Today’s travelers are asking how they can reduce their impact, and these ships are an important step forward.” Leslie Camacho
“Shorter, high-impact bucket-list itineraries. We’re seeing more “express” versions of iconic routes in the Arctic, Galapagos and Antarctica, designed for people who want to say ‘I’ve been there’ without needing three weeks off work.” Arielle Lightcap
Grab a copy of the April 2026 issue of the print magazine to discover where travel will take us next according to the 2026 Top Travel Specialists.
