Rising flight volumes, growing private wealth and changing buyer priorities are broadening markets attracting interest, while tax reforms and geopolitical shifts are influencing where the internationally mobile choose to live and invest.
Buyers are balancing investment, lifestyle, business connectivity and international diversification when making top-end residential purchasing decisions.
The 2026 edition of Knight Frank’s The Wealth Report highlighted the continued growth of the global affluent population, with UHNWIs expected to rise strongly over the coming years. As wealth creation becomes more geographically dispersed, demand for luxury property is following a broader set of opportunities than in previous cycles.
The continued recovery in global travel is adding momentum, with international flight volumes forecast to reach 13.2 million in 2026.
This recent recovery has been particularly pronounced across Asia-Pacific, where international flights remain marginally below 2019 levels but have increased by more than 40% since 2023 as borders reopened and travel patterns normalised.
Africa and Latin America have both surpassed pre-pandemic volumes by a significant margin, while Europe has also moved beyond its 2019 baseline. International flight arrivals into Europe have increased by 16% since 2023, but growth varies significantly by location.
The relationship between mobility and residential markets isn’t always direct, but the two are closely linked. Markets that combine global accessibility with favourable lifestyle or economic characteristics have generally been among the strongest performers in recent years.
International flight volumes have generally strengthened across the world’s largest branded residence markets since 2023, with particularly strong growth in Asia.
Phuket Island, Bangkok and Abu Dhabi have benefited from the continued recovery of international travel, while São Paulo has seen a jump in flight arrivals.
Al Marjan Island recorded the strongest growth among the top 10 markets, supported by new international routes, rising tourism demand and expanding connectivity through Ras Al Khaimah International Airport.
Abu Dhabi also continued to gain momentum as an international gateway, reflecting broader growth across the UAE’s tourism and aviation sectors.
Dubai recorded a decline amid ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, which have affected regional aviation networks and passenger flows through Gulf hubs.
The largest decline was recorded in the Mexican Caribbean, where recurring sargassum seaweed blooms have impacted beaches, disrupted tourism activity and increased clean-up costs across the region.
Elsewhere, Miami and London posted steady gains, while New York remained broadly flat.
Liam Bailey is Global Head of Knight Frank’s Research Department, leading the firm’s global research strategy and overseeing projects across the UK and international markets.
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