The future of travel
Left: Arrivals to Albania in 2025 were estimated
to be around 90% higher than in 2019
TECHNOLOGY & CONNECTIVITY: KEY SHIFTS
Technology, connectivity and capacity shaping travel now Technology is increasingly central to how travellers plan, book and experience trips, and it is playing a growing role in connecting visitors with local communities and experiences. Digital platforms are now the dominant sources of travel inspiration and planning, while emerging AI-enabled services are accelerating this shift. Online travel agencies, review platforms and social media now account for the majority of travel planning activity, while reliance on offline personal recommendations continues to decline. Use of AI chatbots and virtual assistants has increased sharply over the past year, and uptake is particularly strong among younger travellers. These tools are enhancing personalisation, improving price discovery and boosting traveller confidence, supporting higher travel volumes and more dispersed destination choice. A clear generational divide is evident. Gen Z and Millennials are far more likely than older cohorts to use social media, AI-powered tools and multi-purpose messaging apps for travel planning. Acceptance of biometric technology at borders, however, is widespread across all age groups, reflecting a shared appetite for smoother, faster travel experiences. Alongside digital transformation, physical capacity and connectivity remain fundamental enablers of travel growth. The global aircraft order backlog underscores the scale of anticipated demand, with new deliveries heavily skewed towards airlines in emerging regions. Asia Pacific carriers already operate the
Nam TITLE
•
Digital dominates planning: OTAs (50%), review sites (37%), social media (31%) AI adoption rising: used by 18% of travellers in 2025 (up from 10% in 2024) Clear generational divide: › Social media: 46% of Gen Z & Millennials vs 15% of older travellers › AI tools: 26% of younger vs 8% of older travellers Biometrics supported: 65% of travellers in favour Capacity growth concentrated: 40% of aircraft orders with Asia Pacific airlines; 13% with
“As a
•
an ma fro
•
con
•
•
TRAVEL DEMAND TODAY
76%
Source: Tourism Economics
of travellers say leisure trips are an important annual priority
56% 50%
are more interested in visiting new destinations
prioritise affordability, but discovery outweighs price alone
majority of the world’s aircraft and account for a disproportionate share of new orders, while Middle Eastern airlines – despite a relatively small current fleet – represent a rapidly growing share of future capacity. This expansion will further strengthen connectivity between emerging source markets and destinations.
41%
spend on luxury experiences while travelling
Source: Tourism Economics
All statistics quoted are sourced from Tourism Economics unless otherwise stated.
| 181
Made with FlippingBook Annual report maker