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] 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
• [New] Along with Southeast Asia and the Caribbean, the Middle East is predicted to be one of the most dynamic tourism clusters in the coming decades, offering new opportunities for Cyprus as it looks to attract a more diverse range of visitors. Travel And Tour World
• [New] Unions in all three countries are protesting government policies and the resulting walkouts threaten to delay or cancel flights and trains during one of the year's busiest travel periods. The Traveler
• [New] Free public transport for kids $40.9m in 2025-26 ($318.2m / 4 yrs) to make all public transport travel in Victoria free for children aged under 18. A deep dive on the 2025 Victorian Budget | VCOSS
• [New] Mexico real estate investment in 2025 presents unprecedented opportunities across diverse markets, from nearshoring industrial hubs to cultural tourism destinations. Oaxaca Properties
• [New] By 2025, China will have a stronger modern system for the tourism sector integrating cultural development and boasting an improved barrier-free environment and services. ANBOUND
• [New] The U.S. will be the only nation in the world in 2025 to see a reduction in inbound tourism. Travel And Tour World
• [New] The U.S. is expected to see a reduction in international travel like never before, while global competitors remain on the rise. Travel And Tour World
• [New] The Middle East stands out as luxury's brightest performer, with expected growth of between 4 and 6%, buoyed by strong tourism in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and sustained demand in Saudi Arabia. WWD
• [New] Hotel MOHI by Appellation is scheduled to open in early 2026 in downtown Morgan Hill, California, and will become the first full-service luxury boutique hotel in the emerging culinary capital of Silicon Valley. The Manual
• [New] Cruise travel continues to grow, with 20.7 million Americans expected to take ocean cruises in 2025. Mint
• [New] Thanksgiving of 2025 will be the first time the luxury travel sector will complete sales 36% higher than the previous cycle, combining record travel volumes with an increase of 20% in tourist travelers booking luxury travel segments. Travel And Tour World
• [New] Nearly 50% of luxury travel advisors anticipate growth in the luxury travel sector over the coming year. Travel And Tour World
• [New] Cruise travel continues to surge, with AAA projecting 20.7 million U.S. cruise passengers in 2025 and 21.7 million in 2026. Clarksville Online - Clarksville News, Sports, Events a
• [New] Inner Mongolia is set to captivate travelers from around the globe with its highly anticipated winter tourism season, offering a vibrant blend of ice, snow, and rich Mongolian culture. Travel And Tour World
• [New] In addition to air travel, the American Automobile Association predicts that 73 million people will be traveling by car, creating a boost for road-trip tourism. Travel And Tour World
• [New] A record number of people are expected to travel within the U.S. for Thanksgiving, be it plane, train or automobile. NPR

Last updated: 06 December 2025