Global Scans · Travel · Weekly Summary

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WHAT'S NEXT?: How we travel, where we travel and whether we travel at all will mean tremendous change in the decades ahead.

• [New] In 2026 and beyond, luxury travel is no longer simply defined by indulgence, although five-star amenities remain a foundation. Jetset Select
• [New] The US plans to expand the number of countries covered by its travel ban to more than 30. The Business Standard
• [New] With the right investments in clean energy, better transportation technologies, and higher-wage job opportunities, the U.S. travel sector could become a global leader in sustainable tourism. Travel And Tour World
• [New] Eurostar and Deutsche Bahn plan direct London-Germany high-speed rail by early 2030s, making travel greener and easier. GOV.UK
• [New] Millions of passengers could benefit from quicker and more convenient travel across Europe as Eurostar and Deutsche Bahn have confirmed joint plans for a direct high-speed rail connection between Germany and London. GOV.UK
• [New] Offering direct city center to city center connection, passengers could soon travel between London and Cologne in around 4 hours and Frankfurt in just over 5 hours, providing more choice, more comfort and a sustainable alternative to flying. GOV.UK
• [New] Once the GCC rail network becomes a reality, travel between Abu Dhabi and Riyadh could take less than five hours by train. Khaleej Times
• [New] Simultaneously, North America and Western Europe are expected to witness outbound medical tourism growth, while also developing inbound platforms for specialized wellness and advanced treatments. EIN Presswire
• [New] The uptick in corporate travel that was seen in 2024 is expected to continue into 2025, making up for some of the softer leisure demand during midweek holidays. Travel And Tour World
• [New] The travel sector is on track to make a record contribution to the world's economy in 2025, with the sector expected to account for more than 10% of global GDP. Travel And Tour World
• [New] 94% of respondents plan to travel as much or more in 2026, with one-third of them intending to increase their trips compared to 2025. Travel And Tour World
• [New] For 2026, strong brand loyalty could help travel businesses maintain a steady demand despite economic flux. When In Your State
• [New] Companies relying on visa-free travel for meetings, after-sales work or conferences should monitor EU and Swiss communiques and build contingency plans for clients and staff from higher-risk countries. VisaHQ
• [New] Event-driven travel and set-jetting are expected to drive demand in 2025. EnsoConnect
• [New] AmaWaterways customers can explore Egypt for less by capitalizing on complimentary round-trip economy airfare from most U.S. gateways when they reserve select 2026 and 2027 departures. TravelPulse
• [New] While single-line service is one of the major reasons for and purported benefits of transcontinental mergers, it will be interesting to see if the BNSF-CSX service truly reduces travel time and improves volumes. Railway Track and Structures
• [New] Virgin Australia plans to use AI for customer service, flight operations, and personalized travel experiences, while Wesfarmers will deploy AI across its retail and industrial divisions. HUMAI
• [New] Indonesia's Ministry of Tourism is expecting a surge in both international and domestic tourist arrivals during the Christmas and New Year holidays in 2025-2026. Travel And Tour World
• [New] Indonesia is set to experience a major tourism boost during the 2025-2026 Christmas and New Year holidays, with an expected 1.36 million foreign tourists and over 120 million domestic trips. Travel And Tour World
• [New] By 2035, the global travel and tourism sector will contribute $16.5 trillion to the world economy, accounting for 11.5% of global GDP. Travel And Tour World
• [New] Asia continues to dominate global travel in 2026, with Japan, China, and Thailand topping the wish lists of travelers worldwide. Travel And Tour World
• [New] In 2026, Asia will continue to be a dominant force in global tourism, with countries like Japan, China, and Thailand ranking as the top destinations. Travel And Tour World

Last updated: 13 December 2025