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 hospitality and tourism sector, a major part of Scotland's economy which is characterised by high volumes of young workers, seasonal staff and variable hours roles, will feel several changes acutely. Law Society of Scotland
• [New] 88% of global travelers plan to increase or maintain their travel budgets in 2026. Yahoo Finance
• [New] Employment in the hotel sector is expected to expand further in 2026, with workforce numbers projected to exceed 2.2 million in the United States. Hotel Management Network
• [New] The global hotel industry is expected to record higher guest spending in 2026, even as operators continue to face pressure from rising costs. Hotel Management Network
• [New] U.S. outbound travel will likewise continue to rise, growing 4.6% in 2026 after coming in 4.7% for 2025. Hospitality Net
• [New] With the surge in travel expected to continue well into 2026, passengers should anticipate crowded terminals and longer lines at security checkpoints. Travel And Tour World
• [New] On the heels of record-breaking years for tourism and business travel, airports across the United States are handling higher passenger volumes, with higher-than-anticipated growth during the early weeks of 2026. Travel And Tour World
• [New] As airlines invest in new technologies, airport expansions, and better operational management, U.S. travel will continue to rebound throughout 2026 and beyond. Travel And Tour World
• [New] Japan's 2026 hosting of the Rugby World Cup is expected to draw massive tourism, creating plenty of excitement for both sports enthusiasts and cultural explorers. Longevity
• [New] Medical travel was valued at $439 billion, and is projected to grow 25% a year over the next decade. HCPLive
• [New] The U.S.-based hotel group announced this week that it is now targeting 100 hotels across sub-Saharan and southern Africa by 2035. Skift
• [New] Air Canada's decision to launch new nonstop winter flights between Calgary and Cancun is emerging as one of the most closely watched developments in North American tourism planning for the 2026-27 season. The Traveler
• [New] As electric air taxis take to the skies in South Korea, tourists will benefit from quick, affordable air travel, reducing traffic congestion and providing easy access to city centers and popular tourist sites. Travel And Tour World
• [New] For tourists traveling to Japan, electric air taxis will provide fast, environmentally friendly transportation between airports and popular tourist destinations such as Kyoto, Osaka, and Tokyo. Travel And Tour World
• [New] US hotel RevPAR could end 2026 between -1.5% and +1%. Hotel News Resource
• [New] A significant factor influencing the 2026 outlook is the FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted in 10 of the top 25 US hotel markets. Hotel News Resource
• [New] Tourism Economics analysts expect the global love of sports and travel to counteract current geopolitical tensions. Northstar Meetings Group
• [New] Eight in ten professionals expect to travel internationally in 2026, while only a small minority plan to stay fully domestic. Yahoo Finance
• [New] The concept of the workcation, where people mix remote work with leisure travel, is still going strong in 2026, but it's also shifting. TravelInsurance.com
• [New] Areas where GIC sees emerging opportunities in Japan include corporate reform, industry consolidation, intellectual property, physical artificial intelligence (which enables machines to do things in the real world, such as self-driving cars), digitalization, infrastructure modernization and tourism. ST
• [New] Air travel has expanded from 0.4bn passengers in 1970 to almost 5bn in 2025, and global demand is projected to reach 12.4bn by 2050. Allianz Trade Corporate
• [New] Extreme heat and air pollution are increasingly influential in shaping travel patterns, particularly in cities hosting major events, such as 2026 FIFA World Cup venues, where large crowds can exacerbate health risks. Riskline

Last updated: 14 February 2026