SAF demand rising but challenges remain

A study by IATA, Airbus, and Accenture forecasts that corporate demand for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) could reach between 1 and 1.9 million tonnes annually by 2030, up from 323,000 tonnes in 2024. However, high prices, unclear accounting rules, and complex purchasing processes are limiting growth in the market.

Saudi Arabia faces security hurdles for tourism

Regional tensions are affecting Saudi Arabia's tourism sector, with missile attacks on Riyadh’s airport leading airlines to delay or cancel flights. Delta Air Lines has postponed its Atlanta-Riyadh route to 2027, and Virgin Atlantic canceled its London-Riyadh service in April due to security concerns and unreliable schedules.

Airlines cut winter capacity due to costs

EasyJet is reducing its winter seat capacity by up to 1.4 million seats, citing rising fuel costs that have nearly doubled since the conflict with Iran began. Ryanair and Wizz Air are also scaling back their winter offerings, citing increasing regulatory and environmental costs, including the EU’s emissions trading system and the need for sustainable fuels.

OTAs dominate European hotel bookings

In Europe, online travel agencies (OTAs) control a growing share of hotel bookings, with direct hotel bookings accounting for 49.7% of overnight stays in 2025, compared to 28.2% for OTAs. Booking and Expedia dominate the OTA market, with tensions with hoteliers now including issues of distribution control and operations.

Travelers seek unique souvenirs from destinations

A new travel trend called "pilgra-merch" sees travelers visiting specific destinations to purchase unique souvenirs, such as supermarket bags or hotel-branded items. Nearly 23% of travelers surveyed have traveled to buy items unavailable online, with the trend especially popular among Generation Z, where 28% take pride in acquiring limited-edition items.

Historical travel routes gain popularity

Skyscanner predicts a growing interest in historical and legendary travel routes, known as "Grand Odysseys," driven by a desire for meaning and historical connection. Thirty percent of Generation Z travelers have already visited sites inspired by ancient narratives, with natural landscapes combined with historical heritage expected to benefit from this trend.

Syria’s tourism revival faces obstacles

Efforts to revive tourism in Syria are underway, with international hotel groups like Eagle Hills, Emaar, Accor, and Wyndham considering projects in Damascus and Lattakia. However, despite welcoming 3.52 million visitors in the first half of 2026, including over two million expatriate Syrians, international tourism has not significantly rebounded due to infrastructure issues and payment challenges.

Lufthansa expands flights to Japan

Lufthansa Group is increasing its summer 2027 capacity to Japan, with up to 50 weekly flights to four Japanese airports. The group will restart its seasonal service from Frankfurt to Nagoya and add a daily flight between Frankfurt and Tokyo-Narita. Swiss Airlines is also enhancing its Zurich-Tokyo-Narita route, following a record 2025 for international tourism in Japan, with 42.7 million foreign visitors.

Las Vegas offers themed weddings at restaurant

Travelmation is partnering with Five Guys to offer themed weddings at two of the restaurant’s locations in Las Vegas. For $255, couples can have a ceremony, meal, and two "Just Married" t-shirts. Travel agents organize the events and receive commissions, reflecting a growing trend in experiential travel.