the source for hotel and hospitality trends
International air passenger travel to and from the United States totaled 26.4 million enplanements in July 2026, a 2.4% decline from July 2025, according to National Travel and Tourism Office data. Both foreign visitor air arrivals and U.S. citizen departures declined, while Canada was the only one of the five largest country markets to record year-over-year growth.
A new August 2026 survey of American travelers found that financial confidence, travel budgets and advance bookings have declined modestly, but actual travel activity remains stable. Travelers are increasingly making plans closer to departure, choosing road trips over air travel, using AI and YouTube for trip research, and citing costs—especially gasoline—as the main obstacle to taking more trips.
International visitors spent more than $21 billion on travel and tourism-related activities in the United States in June 2026, a 2.3 percent increase from June 2025.
The Travel Dreams 2026 report, based on surveys of 6,000 travelers and 500 hoteliers, reveals increasing adoption of AI in hospitality, a shift toward guest-generated content on social media, and evolving loyalty and payment preferences among travelers.
GBTA’s latest Business Travel Index report shows spending gains driven by higher prices as geopolitical uncertainty and transportation pressures weigh on the outlook
Total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPK), was down 1.7% compared to June 2025. Excluding the Middle East, demand declined by 0.6%. Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), decreased 1.3% year-on-year. The load factor was 84.2% (-0.4 ppt compared to June 2025).
Agoda’s survey of Asian travelers indicates that Gen Z expects travel rewards to be integrated into booking platforms, with easy ways to search, book, earn and redeem points. Respondents emphasize cultural, outdoor and food experiences, while many favor shorter, more frequent trips and consider sustainability. The findings suggest banks, airlines and loyalty providers could adapt programs by adding personalized offers, certified accommodations, off-peak incentives and travel services inside their existing apps.
ABTA estimates that 2.2 million UK residents will travel overseas during the upcoming school break, signaling a significant increase in demand for international accommodation and related hospitality services.
A survey commissioned by eDreams found that many Americans considering solo travel in 2026 are motivated by independence, personal reflection and cultural learning, while safety is the most frequently selected travel essential.
Passenger traffic in North America remained steady from May 2025 to April 2026, with a 0.8% increase across the Americas and significant growth in new international routes, according to a report by Amadeus and UN Tourism.