Global Tourism Trends 2025
2025 marks the definitive post-pandemic recovery of global tourism, with expectations of sustained growth. Over 1.1 billion international tourists travelled in the first nine months of 2024, approaching a return to pre-COVID levels. Global spending in the tourism sector is estimated to reach $11.1 trillion by the end of 2025, setting a historic record.
- Sustainability is the main driver: demand is growing for rural tourism, nature, and food-and-wine experiences linked to local communities. Many tourists are seeking “regenerative” and engaging packages with communities, supporting environmental protection and social development.
- Technology and AI: artificial intelligence is increasingly used to personalize every stage of the journey, from planning to in-destination experiences, with 76% of global travelers preferring technologically integrated options for stays and bookings.
- Multi-trips and new generations: in 2025 consumers plan to take more trips per year (even 4 or more), and Asian travelers are driving global growth in booking volume (+34% YoY). Baby Boomers are the cohort increasing their budgets the most.
- Outdoor, food & family experiences: trips centered on outdoor activities, experiential and gastronomic tourism are growing. Holidays with extended families are also in high demand.
DMCs and Tour Operators: Evolution and Opportunities
The MICE sector (meetings, incentives, conferences, events) is seeing growing interest in the integration of technological innovations and sustainability, as highlighted at the Global DMC Partners Connection 2025 conference in the Bahamas, which brought together 200+ industry leaders to discuss future trends, including the use of AI and collaboration among destinations to optimize experience and impact.
In the corporate sphere, hybrid work is fostering out-of-office team-building experiences, creating new opportunities for tour operators and DMCs to offer customized activities for work groups.
Major International Events and Trade Fairs (September–October 2025)
- Leaders Week London — September 29 – October 2: international event for leadership and sport, networking and business travel.
- World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Global Summit, Rome — October: focus on sustainable development and the future of global tourism.
- Global Wellness Summit, Abu Dhabi — October: wellness travel is growing, on a par with experiential and regenerative tourism.
- Centroamérica Travel Market (CATM) 2025, San Pedro Sula (Honduras) — October 21–23, 2025: the leading B2B marketplace for Central America.
On the agenda: scheduled meetings among tourism boards, DMCs, tour operators, and international buyers for updates on products, routes, and partnerships in the region. - Adventure Travel World Summit, Chile — October 13–16: global hub for adventure and eco-tourism.
- IGTM (International Golf Travel Market), Cannes — October 20–23: the largest event for golf tourism with operators and destinations.
- Caribbean Tourism Exchange, Dominican Republic — October 23–25: key trade fair for the Caribbean and the Americas.
- World Travel Week & Global Tourism Forum, Brussels — October 27 – November 2: forum for discussion on global policies and trends.
Changes in Travelers and the Regional Market
- Asia Pacific is leading demand with strong growth, supported by falling airfares and the expansion of the middle class in India, Indonesia, and Vietnam.
- Personalized travel is established as the preferred solution: “grounding getaways” (trips that integrate values of environmental and cultural respect) are increasingly in demand, as highlighted in Hilton’s 2025 travel report.
- Sustainable tourism continues to grow globally, with travelers seeking to reduce their impact and choose operators that are green-certified or involve the local community in experiences.
Global Calendar of Notable Events for DMCs and Tour Operators
- PATA Travel Mart (Thailand) — late August – early September
- ITB India (Mumbai) — September
- MKTE Kenya — October
- ITB Asia and ITB Berlin — leading events in the MICE and business travel sector
- WTM London (November) — anticipates tourism-commercial trends and strategies
