Global Scans · Travel · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: How we travel, where we travel and whether we travel at all will mean tremendous change in the decades ahead.

• [New] Commercial lunar flights are projected to begin in the 2040s [27, 28] and travel to Mars in the 2050s [29]. PubMed Central (PMC)
• [New] BCG covers the future of global leisure travel and forecasts it will triple in value, reaching $15 trillion by 2040. The Idea Farm
• [New] 40% of millennials and Generation Z express interest in solo travel opportunities indicating a shifting demographic preference toward individual exploration. Market Data Forecast
• [New] A remarkable 92% of parents plan to travel with their children in 2026, representing a 110% year-over-year rise in family travel interest. Elite Travel
• [New] By 2036, China's travel and tourism sector is expected to nearly double in value to $3.5 trillion, generating one in every five new travel and tourism jobs worldwide. Forbes
• [New] South Africa combines thrilling attractions, wildlife experiences, family entertainment, and diverse adventure tourism opportunities. Cision PR Newswire
• [New] Making Starship fully operational could be significant for SpaceX both strategically and commercially as it would increase its cargo carrying and long-distance travel capabilities. The Guardian
• [New] Residents will travel abroad to receive medical care from popular medical tourism destinations like Mexico, Canada, and South America. Cancer Nursing Today
• [New] The Gulf Cooperation Council reportedly approved a one-stop travel system, which includes an initial pilot phase before an expected rollout to all six member states. Henley & Partners
• [New] The U.S. hotel industry is entering 2026 with a stronger outlook than previously expected. Hospitality.today
• [New] Tourism-dependent economies such as Croatia, Portugal and Greece could be particularly exposed should travel disruptions or weaker booking demand materialise. KPMG
• [New] The adoption of immersive technologies in entertainment and tourism could generate an additional 5 billion pounds in revenue by 2030 as users seek novel forms of engagement. Market Data Forecast
• [New] China is expected to overtake the United States in terms of air travel demand. BGR
• [New] By 2036, China's Travel & Tourism sector is projected to nearly double in value to US$ 3.5 trillion, generating 1 in every 5 new Travel & Tourism jobs worldwide. Travel Tomorrow
• [New] China will generate one in five new global tourism jobs by 2036. The Independent
• [New] Vermont-based startup Beta Technologies aims to convince US consumers that electric aviation has arrived in ways that will change how they travel for work and leisure, and invited media to ride in the state-of-the-art all-electric aircraft that it calls the Alia CX300. Business Insider
• [New] The demand for premium experiential travel tied to major sporting events will continue to grow over the next several years. Smart Meetings
• [New] Food and drink remains the most robust category, and inbound tourism continues to provide support: VisitBritain forecasts 45.5 million inbound visits and £35.7 billion in spending for 2026, up 4% and 7% respectively compared to 2025. Capitalise
• [New] Quantum computing could generate $2.7 trillion in economic value globally by 2035, spanning industries from chemicals and financial services to travel and logistics. Consulting US
• [New] New Zealand is known for its dramatic landscapes and outdoor adventures, but travel there comes with unexpected risks. Squaremouth Travel Insurance
• [New] Boston and Atlanta recorded major increases, while Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth posted strong gains as hotels, restaurants and event operators expanded recruitment ahead of expected tourism demand. Cision PR Newswire

Last updated: 27 June 2026