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] Future travel between Abu Dhabi-Dubai and between Dubai-Fujairah will take just 50 minutes on Etihad Rail. TopLuxuryProperty.com
• [New] Etihad Rail is a major travel project which is going to connect all seven Emirates of the UAE. TopLuxuryProperty.com
• [New] With revenue projected to surpass $300 billion by 2028, gaming offers significant opportunities for tourism as well. BAE Ventures - Venture Capital
• [New] As adoption grows, expect a surge in innovation from smart farms to seamless tourism apps, propelling Sri Lanka toward sustainable prosperity. lankabiznews.com
• [New] More than one-third of travelers plan to travel more in 2026. Travel And Tour World
• [New] By 2030, Millennials and Gen Z will represent over half of U.S. leisure travel. Travel And Tour World
• [New] China's tourism surge offers a significant opportunity for both domestic and international travelers. Travel And Tour World
• [New] San Jose Mineta International Airport will become California's first commercial airport to offer Waymo's fully autonomous ride-hailing service, enhancing travel convenience for passengers in Silicon Valley. Self Drive News
• [New] The UAE, known for its luxurious lifestyle, towering skyscrapers, and thriving tourism industry, has been flagged by Canada due to ongoing regional tensions and a possible rise in terrorism-related threats. Travel And Tour World
• [New] Ultimately, the continued rise of eSIM technology will redefine the future of global connectivity and reshape the way we travel. Travel And Tour World
• [New] By 2030, the adoption of travel eSIMs is projected to quadruple, signaling a shift away from traditional roaming services, which have long been the backbone of mobile operators' revenue streams. Travel And Tour World
• [New] Technology will help create an environment conducive to high-quality and sustainable growth in Thai tourism. OpenGov Asia
• [New] GDP Growth & Diversification: The UAE is forecast to achieve ~4.8% real GDP growth in 2025, with continued strength through 2026, thanks to tourism, non-oil exports, and infrastructure spending. Cambridge Currencies | Foreign Exchange, Handled Better
• [New] Tourism growth, coupled with government incentives and visa reforms, will solidify China's standing as a global tourism leader in the coming years, with tourism revenues continuing to fuel economic development. Travel And Tour World
• [New] The influx of both domestic and international visitors in 2025 is expected to drive job creation in local tourism businesses, including hotels, restaurants, tour operators, and transportation services. / China Travel And Tour World
• [New] With fewer opportunities available since Brexit, the UK travel sector has been unable to meet the demand for skilled workers in key seasonal roles. Travel And Tour World
• Tourist centers in Baja California Sur are bracing for cancellations, while rural communities face heightened risks of landslides and infrastructure disruption. International Business Times UK
• Looking ahead, the hotel industry anticipates a modest recovery in 2026, with projections indicating a 0.8% increase in RevPAR. Hotel Management Network
• Analysts from CoStar and Tourism Economics have revised their projections, now expecting a slight 0.1% decline in revenue per available room (RevPAR) for the year. Hotel Management Network
• Tourism experts have advised Universal that demand for accommodation may outstrip what's available on-site, meaning additional hotels could be built nearby. Dictionary.com
• Globally, respondents ranked workforce shortages as their number eight future risk, and for several industries it ranked even higher among their top 10 future risks: healthcare; transportation and logistics; construction and real estate; hospitality, travel and leisure; and professional services. Aon

Last updated: 13 September 2025