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] A plethora of tourist experiences will become available in the coming years - orbital hotels, research labs, lunar missions.
• [New] Around 300,000 people globally have the appropriate net worth and desire to take part in a suborbital trip, a number that company officials predict will grow about 8% annually.
• [New] The recovery of international tourism presents significant opportunities for luxury cosmetics brands to expand through duty-free and travel retail channels across Asia. Persistence Market Research
• [New] Another travel trend during 2026 will be the rise of the eco-conscious traveler, prompting hospitality players to up their game. Minor Hotels
• [New] The Middle East's travel and tourism sector faces a 14.5% GDP contraction in 2026 to $330 billion due to geopolitical disruptions affecting airspace and travel flows. Hotel Online
• [New] Demand for special assistance services is expected to grow as Singapore's population ages and air travel increases. CNA
• [New] The parallel cycling and walking investment strategy, targeting 55% of short urban journeys to be safely walked or cycled by 2035, reinforces the pull toward protected active-travel infrastructure. Highways Today
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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

Last updated: 22 August 2026