The new travel equation: Macro, machines, motivation
Mastercard Economics Institute analyzes how geopolitical tensions, AI adoption, and currency volatility are reshaping global travel spending patterns and destination choices in 2026.
News
Spain Becomes Europe’s High-Value Travel Champion as Global Visitor Spend Reaches Record US$2TN
Spain ranks third globally with $130.1B in visitor spending and $1,344 average spend per traveller, outperforming Europe's $1,068 average.
Global Travel & Tourism Growth to Outpace Wider Economy by 1.5 Times Over the Next Decade
WTTC data shows travel and tourism will contribute $12TN globally in 2026, growing 3.2% versus 2.4% for the broader economy, with Spain leading European markets.
Study: Navigating Transport in Unfamiliar Places is Southeast Asia’s Biggest Business Travel Stressor, Fueling Unapproved Ground Trips and Expense Uncertainty
GBTA-Grab survey of 1,200 travelers finds 83% use ground transport outside company policy, with navigation stress driving $44% negative emotions.
“Travel & Tourism Accelerates after Effective Recovery” Says WTTC In New Global Report Reinforcing Sector’s Proven Resilience After A Crisis
WTTC's four-decade analysis shows tourism contributed $11.6 trillion to global GDP in 2025 and confirms destinations always recover from crises with strong government leadership.
WTTC Welcomes U.S. Tourism Envoy Nick Adams for First Global Address, Signalling New Era of U.S. Leadership in Travel & Tourism
Adams outlined U.S. priorities including reaching 100 million visitors by 2030 and leveraging G20 hosting to drive investment and job creation.
FHS Business Unusual: How are we coping?
UAE hospitality leaders and Minister of Economy discuss recovery strategies amid regional conflicts, with Oxford Economics forecasting resilient long-term demand despite near-term challenges.
Q1 2026 Major U.S. Hotel Sales Survey & Lodging Sector Overview
Q1 2026 saw 110 U.S. hotel transactions totaling $4.6 billion, with Florida and New York accounting for 55% of deals despite geopolitical energy shocks.
By Daniel Lesser, President & CEO, LW Hospitality Advisors LLC (LWHA)
HVS Anarock India Hospitality Industry Overview 2025
India's hotel sector achieved 63-65% occupancy and INR 8,500-8,700 ADR in 2025, with 64,118 keys signed across 586 properties driven by Tier 2-4 expansion.
U.S. Travel Forecast Points to Steady Growth Ahead
U.S. Travel Association forecast shows domestic travel leading growth while international recovery lags until 2029.
WTTC Hosts Historic Recovery & Leadership Cruise along Egypt’s Suez Canal with over 300 Leaders from the Public and Private Sector
WTTC brings together 300+ industry leaders aboard Crystal Serenity to discuss global tourism recovery, with Egypt showcasing tourism revenue growth from $4.9B to $18B+.
U.S. hotel results for week ending 2 May
CoStar reports occupancy up 1.2% to 66.5% and RevPAR up 3.2% to $111.59 for the week ending May 2, with Las Vegas leading gains at +29.0%.
The Amadeus data in action series: Occupancy data
Amadeus introduces forward-looking occupancy data to help hotels anticipate demand up to a year ahead, using 2026 World Cup data to show untapped revenue opportunities.
European tourism shows resilience in early 2026, as regional demand stays strong amid global uncertainty
Data from the European Travel Commission shows 5.6% growth in arrivals despite Middle East conflict disrupting global travel flows.
Shock, Divergence, and Recovery: The Impact of the 2026 U.S.–Iran Conflict on GCC Hospitality
The conflict disrupted 40 million annual passengers through Gulf transit corridors, with UAE markets hit harder than Saudi Arabia due to greater international exposure.
By Hala Matar Choufany, President - HVS Middle East, Africa and South Asia, Dubai, HVS
Hospitality Asset Managers Association (HAMA) Shares Spring 2026 Conference Industry Outlook Survey Results
HAMA's survey of 86 asset managers shows 60% expect to exceed RevPAR budgets in 2026, with 90% planning renovations and recession fears continuing to decline.
Resilience on Display: Chicago Tourism Gains Momentum
Chicago welcomed 55.3 million visitors generating $20.9 billion economic impact in 2024, with O'Hare hitting record 85 million passengers in 2025.
By Brian Arevalo and Emeldina Paratusic
U.S. Travel Association Report Finds Strong Future for Group Travel, Reinforcing Its Essential Role in Driving Business, Innovation and Connection
The report shows group travel remained flat in 2025 with declining international visitation, but expects a rebound in 2026 driven by business travel and meetings demand.
New Report Warns World Cup Hotel Boom May Fall Short of Expectations
AHLA survey finds 80% of hoteliers across 11 US host cities report World Cup bookings below forecasts due to visa barriers and FIFA room block cancellations.
U.S. hotel performance for March 2026
March 2026 data shows U.S. hotels gained 5.9% RevPAR year-over-year, with San Francisco leading at +38.8% due to major conferences.