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 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
• [New] Every hotel technology company will have AI. Trade Show News Network
• [New] The FIFA World Cup 2026 is expected to become one of the biggest drivers of tourism growth in North America. Travel Tomorrow
• [New] Domestic travel is helping offset international weakness: Declining outbound U.S. travel is expected to redirect more travelers toward domestic destinations, partially compensating for softer inbound international demand. Hospitality.today
• [New] The travel ecosystem will support 376 million jobs globally this year, effectively accounting for one out of every nine positions on the planet. Caribbean News Digital
• [New] Globally, WTTC data forecasts Travel & Tourism will contribute $12 TN to the world economy in 2026, accounting for 9.9% of global GDP, while supporting 376 million jobs worldwide. World Travel & Tourism Council
• [New] Central and South America's Travel & Tourism sector is forecast to outperform the global average in 2026, driven by strong domestic demand, rising international visitor spending, and lower exposure to geopolitical disruption impacting other regions. World Travel & Tourism Council
• [New] Tourism faces additional risks from potential jet fuel shortages, which could dampen summer travel and hit dependent economies including Greece, Portugal, and Croatia particularly hard. Crowdfund Insider
• [New] Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 initiative explicitly targets AI as a strategic economic pillar, with synthetic media applications in public communications, tourism promotion, and defence training among the identified use cases. Vantage Market Research
• [New] MLB All-Star Week is expected to bring major visitor traffic into Philadelphia, creating strong opportunities for tourism brands to activate around hotels, sports districts, nightlife corridors, and fan experiences. Carvertise
• By 2027, AMAALA will have expanded to include 3,000 hotel rooms across 25 hotels and offer 943 luxury residential villas, high-end retail and dining establishments, a yacht club and wellness and recreational facilities. Meed Events Hub
• International travel recovery is beginning: After several years of declines, inbound international travel to the U.S. is forecast to grow by approximately 3% in 2026, with stronger acceleration expected in 2027. Hospitality.today
• RevPAR forecast upgraded significantly: CoStar and Tourism Economics now expect U.S. hotel RevPAR to grow by 2.8% in 2026, up sharply from an earlier forecast of 0.6%. Hospitality.today
• The USPS is restricting hiring, travel, training, and software spending as it works to conserve cash and avoid running out of money as early as 2027. Supply Chain 24/7

Last updated: 20 June 2026