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] The global cosmos economy is projected to exceed $1 trillion by 2040, with tourism expected to play a significant role in that expansion. Straits Research
• [New] Future growth will depend on technological innovation, environmental sustainability, and expanding international tourism, with South Korea aiming to position itself as a premier winter sports destination in Asia-Pacific. Verified Market Reports
• [New] The future growth trajectory will likely depend on technological innovation, government support for climate resilience, and diversification into summer mountain tourism, ensuring long-term sustainability of Japan's ski industry. Verified Market Reports
• [New] The Asia-Pacific region is expected to experience significant growth, driven by increasing disposable incomes and a growing interest in winter sports and mountain tourism activities. ICE Global News
• [New] Asia-Pacific is expected to experience significant growth, driven by increasing disposable incomes and a growing interest in winter sports and mountain tourism activities. ICE Global News
• [New] Regional variation remains significant for 2026, with Latin America expected to record the strongest hotel pricing growth as demand outpaces new hotel development. Global Business Travel Association - GBTA
• [New] Global Hotel Growth Masks Widening Regional Gap Global hotel average daily rates are expected to increase 3.7% in 2026 to $168, followed by a more moderate 1.8% increase in 2027 to $171. Global Business Travel Association - GBTA
• [New] Visitor spending is projected to reach $9.9 billion in 2026, surpassing pre-pandemic levels for the second consecutive year of tourism growth. Skift Meetings
• [New] The Joby electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft is designed to carry a pilot and four passengers and is expected to reduce the trip from Dubai International Airport to Palm Jumeirah to just 10 minutes instead of a 45-minute car ride. curt.cultice@trade.gov
• [New] The eVTOL trip will cut the journey between Abu Dhabi and Dubai from about 90 minutes to about 20 minutes. curt.cultice@trade.gov
• [New] Within the regulatory ecosystem, the Digital Product Passport is being rolled out in phases across priority sectors, with key milestones from 2026-2027 onward. 2026 Packaging Trends in Premium Cosmetics
• [New] American Airlines is expanding its digital travel ecosystem with new tools for booking, disruption recovery and airport processing, helping customers manage their journeys more easily while improving convenience. Future Travel Experience
• [New] The travel and ticketing segment is expected to register the fastest growth at a CAGR of 19.6% during 2026-2034, driven by increasing digital bookings for flights, railways, public transportation, and entertainment events. Straits Research
• [New] The combination of record-breaking heatwaves and peak tourist volumes is creating a more challenging risk environment for travelers across Europe, increasing the likelihood of health emergencies, transportation disruptions, crowd-related crime, and reduced travel flexibility. On Call International Blog
• [New] Europe's record-setting heatwave is transforming overtourism from a crowd-management challenge into a broader travel risk issue. On Call International Blog
• [New] As EV adoption climbs through the 2020s and into the 2030s, every new charger adds demand that often arrives in concentrated waves, from hotel check-ins to morning office arrivals. Schneider Electric Blog
• [New] The milestone flights event in Quinto, Ticino demonstrates the potential of autonomous eVTOL technology to overcome challenging mountainous terrain while supporting the future application in regional logistics and tourism. Financial News Media
• [New] U.S. Travel Association forecasts total U.S. travel spending will reach $1.37 trillion in 2026, with domestic travel accounting for 87% of the total. Purpose Travel Planners L.L.C.
• [New] Domestic leisure travel spending is forecast to rise to $909 billion in 2026, even as travelers manage inflation and look for shorter or lower-cost trips. Purpose Travel Planners L.L.C.
• [New] Domestic group travel is forecast to reach $118 billion in 2026, growing faster than business travel overall in real terms. Purpose Travel Planners L.L.C.
• [New] Over the next three years, travel bookings generated through IPW 2026 are projected to produce approximately $340 million annually as a result of IPW 2026. Trade Show News Network

Last updated: 08 August 2026