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 concept of the workcation, where people mix remote work with leisure travel, is still going strong in 2026, but it's also shifting. TravelInsurance.com
• [New] Areas where GIC sees emerging opportunities in Japan include corporate reform, industry consolidation, intellectual property, physical artificial intelligence (which enables machines to do things in the real world, such as self-driving cars), digitalization, infrastructure modernization and tourism. ST
• [New] Air travel has expanded from 0.4bn passengers in 1970 to almost 5bn in 2025, and global demand is projected to reach 12.4bn by 2050. Allianz Trade Corporate
• [New] Extreme heat and air pollution are increasingly influential in shaping travel patterns, particularly in cities hosting major events, such as 2026 FIFA World Cup venues, where large crowds can exacerbate health risks. Riskline
• [New] Regions such as Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East are experiencing rapid growth in medical tourism, offering new opportunities for partnerships and investments. Travel And Tour World
• [New] The announcement of five regional medical tourism hubs is a strong and timely step that will enhance India's position as a global medical value travel destination. Jetsetter Guide
• [New] Leisure demand will be fuelled by the continued recovery of long-haul travel, with the European Travel Commission expecting visitor numbers from China to increase by 23% and from India by 9% in 2026. LEADING HOTELIERS
• [New] Canada, Iceland, Greenland, and Russia will continue to contribute to Arctic tourism, but Norway's leadership and innovative offerings will keep it at the forefront of the Arctic adventure tourism boom. Travel And Tour World
• [New] APEX TECH 2026 underscored that the future of connected travel will be shaped by agile software solutions, seamless connectivity, and AI-driven personalization. eplaneai
• [New] Self-driving trips will continue to dominate, accounting for about 80% of total travel. chinadailyhk
• [New] International travel demand for the first half of 2026 is expected to show modest overall growth, with Asian destinations emerging as the primary drivers of global inspirational travel intent. Breaking Travel News
• [New] Globally, more than 40% of consumers already report using genAI to get advice or recommendations, while about 20% use it to plan travel. Forrester
• [New] As the world moves toward smarter and greener air travel, students are increasingly exploring engineering fields with strong future potential. Academia Magazine
• [New] By 2026, hospitality, dining, and travel brands will operate in an environment where discovery, comparison, booking, and service are mediated by intelligent agents acting on behalf of guests. IDC
• [New] A vast swath of the US - sweeping east from the Southern Rockies to the Mid-Atlantic and New England - is on alert for winter-storm conditions that could last days, disrupting travel and threatening blackouts. Insurance Journal
• [New] Major global events, including the recently awarded 2026 FIFA World Cup, are anticipated to provide additional support for hotel demand in key markets, particularly in the United States. Yahoo Finance
• [New] International travel recovery: While facing near-term headwinds, international travel is expected to rebound gradually as global demand improves. Hospitality.today
• Russia is quietly testing a new plasma propulsion system that, if it performs as claimed, could dramatically change how long it takes to travel to Mars. Yahoo Tech
• With the launch of Etihad Rail passenger train services, the national rail network is expected to deliver wide-ranging benefits, including: enhance tourism, supporting mobility, helping efforts to reduce emissions, and strengthening social and economic ties between the Emirates. The Indian Express
• By connecting key cities like Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Fujairah, Etihad Rail will strengthen commerce and tourism within the UAE. GCC Railway
• Luxury consumers will drive hotel bookings in 2026, hospitality industry professionals shared with Hotel Dive earlier in 2026. Hotel Dive

Last updated: 07 February 2026