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] Generative AI will be one of the biggest travel tech trends for 2026 for savvy travelers. Voxel - Blog
• [New] 2026 is set to be one of the most futuristic years for travel, driven by technology, culture, and evolving human needs. Travel And Tour World
• [New] A federal judge's ruling has cleared the way for Hawaii to include cruise ship passengers in a new tourist tax to help cope with climate change, a levy set to go into effect at the start of 2026. vancouversun
• [New] Corporate travel budgets are expected to rise 5% in 2026. Morgan Stanley
• [New] A major opportunity for luxury brands, automotive companies, travel providers, and beverage companies to connect with F1's increasingly diverse, younger, global fanbase, captivated by motorsport's drama and prestige. RTB House
• [New] 77% expect luxury travel demand to increase in 2026, while 71% say clients are willing to invest more per trip. Yahoo Life
• [New] In 2026, the luxury travel experience will be measured less by extravagance and more by meaning and personal significance. Partners Expedia Group
• [New] In the hospitality sector, Dubai has announced an ambitious plan to 3D-print 25% of all new buildings by 2030, including hotels and tourism offices. Travel And Tour World
• [New] Canada's air travel industry is looking at a flurry of labour contract negotiations in 2026, which could mean more disruptions for travelers. CBC
• [New] More than 10 million Australians will head overseas in 2026, if recent travel trends are any indication. 9News
• [New] Through greater cross-border cooperation, the Central Asian nations are creating a more integrated tourism network that will bring long-lasting benefits, not just for the local economies but also for international travelers seeking new and exciting destinations to explore. Travel And Tour World
• [New] Regional tourism strategies that encourage cross-border cooperation could help establish Central Asia as a rising global tourism hub. Travel And Tour World
• [New] In 2026, destination-level collaboration among hotels, tourism boards, airlines, event organizers, and local governments will intensify. URAHL
• [New] As 2025 draws to a close, the challenge for hotel owners in 2026 is clear: rising costs are here to stay, and rate growth alone will not restore margins. Hospitality Net
• [New] The focus on high-value tourism is expected to yield long-term benefits for the national economy, providing a buffer against global economic fluctuations. Travel And Tour World
• [New] International tourism could rebound in 2026 and beyond, driven by major global events hosted in the United States - including sporting showcases and cultural celebrations that draw international interest. Travel And Tour World
• [New] As tourism continues to evolve, Dubai's efforts to embrace sustainability and responsible tourism will be essential in maintaining its appeal for the next generation of travelers. Travel And Tour World
• [New] Expect to see travelers in 2026 pursuing everything from programs that support reef restoration, to wildlife rehabilitation, or community development as people increasingly measure the value of a trip by how it contributes to the places they visit. TravelPulse
• [New] Beaches, cultural capitals, and lesser-known regions are all in demand, signaling that 2026 will be defined by slower, richer, and more intentional luxury travel. Yahoo Life
• For aviation, 2026 may mark the year when supersonic flight shifts from the fringes of experimentation toward tangible progress in everyday air travel. Electronic Specifier
• Looking ahead to 2026, supersonic travel appears poised to move from concept to reality once more. Electronic Specifier
• A non-core story that was in the top five for the month was Russia unveiling a laboratory prototype of a plasma electric rocket engine based on a magnetic plasma accelerator which it said could cut travel time to Mars to little more than a month. World Nuclear News

Last updated: 03 January 2026