CubaPLUS Magazine

The Cuban professor and researcher, José Luís Perelló, reflected this Monday in his periodic analyses of the trends of the travel industry facing 2025 as changing and in the midst of transformations. He explained that global tourism is at a turning point.

According to the conclusions of the WTM Global Travel Report 2024, prepared in collaboration with Tourism Economics, a subsidiary of Oxford Economics, the sector is undergoing transformations that will outline its development towards next year, he stressed.

The report identifies booming segments, challenges to overcome and emerging opportunities that will define the pace of growth. One of the highlights of the report is the reactivation of international tourism, which shows an estimated growth of 12 percent for the next few years, compared to the modest three percent expected for domestic tourism.

This trend contrasts with the dynamics of recent years, when local travel had a greater role due to global restrictions. Although short-haul destinations are leading this recovery, long-haul travel is beginning to gain ground again, marking the return of key markets that had remained limited after the Covid-19 pandemic.

Furthermore, the business tourism segment, one of the most affected during the pandemic, shows a surprising recovery, generating new opportunities. Events such as congresses, fairs and corporate meetings (segment called MICE) are being the driving force behind this recovery, along with a growing integration of the bleisure concept, which combines leisure and business. In addition, the cruise sector continues to expand rapidly.

According to the report, global cruise capacity is expected to increase by 25 percent by the end of 2026 compared to 2019 levels. This growth is due both to the development of megaships, with capacity for more than 4,500 passengers, and to the interest in smaller, more exclusive vessels.

In the area of accommodation, spending on hotels continues to gain ground within the tourist budget. This segment is projected to grow by 63 percent in the next decade, exceeding the 48 percent increase recorded in the last 10 years. On the other hand, tourist rentals are consolidating as a key option, already representing 20 percent of overnight stays in Europe, driven by platforms such as Airbnb.

Among the trends, technology is transforming the way travelers plan and enjoy their experiences. A significant fact is that 51 percent of young people between 18 and 34 years old use tools like ChatGPT to search for information and organize their trips.

In addition, 71 percent of experts believe that technologies such as artificial intelligence will play a central role in the success of tourism. This trend underlines the importance of companies in the sector adopting technological solutions to remain competitive and meet the expectations of a new generation of travelers.

Another element is in the changes in traveler behavior: sustainability and cultural experiences, says the expert. While 83 percent of respondents consider sustainable tourism important, only 57 percent plan to reduce their energy consumption during their next trip.

On the other hand, cultural experiences are gaining prominence, especially among Generation Z and millennials. According to the report, 92 percent show greater interest in local gastronomy, while 88 percent seek to interact with local residents.

Despite the challenges, the report notes that global tourism will continue its sustained growth, reaching two billion international tourists by 2030. This increase will be driven mainly by emerging markets such as China and India, which will increase their market share significantly.

The percentage of the global population that travels will rise from the current 21 percent to 33 percent, creating new opportunities for destinations that focus on innovation and sustainability as the axes of their development.

(Taken from Prensa Latina)