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] Personalized travel is forecast to reach $317 billion by 2029, which tells you something real about where traveler preferences are heading. Elite Travel
• [New] Employment in the tourism sector could grow from 89,400 jobs to 119,000 jobs, while annual tax revenues linked to tourism are projected to nearly double from 91.5 billion tenge (US$ 178 million) to 185.9 billion tenge (US$ 362 million). The Astana Times
• [New] Domestic tourism could see a rise from 1.7 million to 3.4 million visitors by 2028, while international tourist arrivals may rise from 600,000 to 2.5 million people. The Astana Times
• [New] International travel to the United States is projected to continue to rise 5.2% to 74.1 million in 2027 and grow 6.1% to 78.7 million in 2028. Lisabeth.Phelps@trade.gov
• [New] Celebrity River Cruises announced its planned 2027 launch, signaling how attractive the European river segment has become as travelers continue looking for smaller-scale ships and more destination-focused travel. Standard-Examiner
• [New] Tourism receipts are expected to reach S$ 31 billion to S$ 32.5 billion, below the record S$ 32.8 billion reported last year. AltexSoft
• [New] Singapore expects more international visitors in 2026, but it is preparing for weaker tourism spending. AltexSoft
• [New] For 2026, San Francisco's hotel occupancy is projected to reach 69%, while Average Daily Rate is expected to rise to US$257.81. Travel Trade Journal
• [New] Transportation energy use would decrease from 27 quads in 2025 to between 21 and 25 quads in 2050, despite increasing travel demand as newer, more efficient powertrains make up a larger portion of on-road vehicles. IER
• [New] The global sleep tourism sector is worth more than $690 billion and is projected to grow by another $400 billion between 2024 and 2028. Yahoo Travel
• [New] Travel apps have become a core part of how people plan and experience trips in 2026. Backroad Planet
• [New] While wider European GDP growth is forecast to reach just 1% in 2026 amid continued inflationary pressures and economic uncertainty, Travel & Tourism GDP across Europe is expected to grow by 3.6%, nearly four times faster. Hospitality Net
• [New] Travel & Tourism is expected to support 376 million jobs worldwide in 2026, representing one in nine jobs globally. Hospitality Net
• [New] By the 2040s, there may be multiple businesses offering space travel experiences. OnlySky
• [New] The next twenty-five years will be a crucial period, as technological innovation makes space travel easier, safer and more affordable. OnlySky
• [New] WASHINGTON-U.S. travel spending will hit a record $1.37 trillion in 2026 and climb to $1.42 trillion in 2027. LODGING Magazine
• [New] Nationwide only 41% of rural hospitals are still providing labour and delivery services, leaving many women with no choice but to travel great distances to have their baby delivered, increasing the risk of complications. World Socialist Web Site
• [New] U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to use a trip this week to China to urge Chinese President Xi Jinping to pressure Iran into making concessions and end the current limbo. The American Legion
• [New] Making train travel easier to book is part of a broader strategy to shift transportation habits before 2030. TravelPirates
• [New] The European Commission has proposed new rules aimed at making rail travel across Europe easier to plan, book and complete, particularly on journeys involving different operators or more than one country. Politis
• [New] China's peak May travel season is running into mounting disruption as a sweep of heavy rain, cold fronts and localized storms collides with already strained aviation and rail networks, creating fresh uncertainty for millions of domestic and international travelers. The Traveler
• [New] U.S. travel spending will hit a record $1.37 trillion in 2026 and climb to $1.42 trillion in 2027. U.S. Travel Association
• [New] International visitor spending is projected to rise 5.8% to $5.2 billion despite ongoing geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty impacting inbound U.S. travel. Skift Meetings

Last updated: 23 May 2026