The World Market for Travel

December 2024

Travel sales hit USD2.7 trillion in 2024, with new records set to be broken over the forecast period as travel powers on, despite high prices and meeting climate targets. Tourism demand is fired up by macroeconomic and sociodemographic trends as consumers prioritise experiences aligned with their passions and interests. Competition and digitalisation are intensifying in the advanced markets and Asia Pacific – the new travel power source.

EUR 1,375
Request More Information

Delivery

This report comes in PPT.

Key findings

Slow burner for value creation

Travel booking sales through direct suppliers and intermediaries are not expected to reach precrisis levels until 2025. In 2024, travel sales are anticipated to be worth USD2.7 trillion, driven by the consumer desire for amazing experiences, reaching USD3.6 trillion by 2029. However, anti-tourism sentiments highlight the need for ongoing transformation to a sustainable model.

The perfect, connected trip

The last battleground for travel categories is delivering travellers with the perfect trip that is seamless, connected and friction-free. Surface travel and experiences are where the focus lies for future growth at 8.9% and 6.6% CAGRs, respectively, elevating the enjoyment of travel and delivering a seamless UX across the traveller journey.

Next-gen global titans

Competition in booking via travel intermediaries is intense, led by Trip.com thanks to its dominance in its home market of China, with global brands Booking and Expedia battling for second place, with the former trumping its rival. Asia Pacific brands Yanolja and Klook are fast-growing and making inroads into the global landscape for travel intermediaries.

Online powered up

The pandemic truly accelerated the shift online, as consumers pivoted online and travel intermediaries especially ramped up their online offers, deals and loyalty programmes. In 2024, 69% of travel sales were made online, with 73% for travel intermediaries vs 65% for direct suppliers.

Asia rides the crest of a wave

All eyes for travel booking sales are firmly set on Asia Pacific – the global economic powerhouse, not just China, but India, and all its regions. Stealing share from the mature regions, high value creation is forecast whilst mature markets face intense price pressure due to stagnant economic growth, higher prices due to costs and funding the green transition.

 

Our expert’s view of Travel in 2024
Travel booking sales snapshot
Key findings
Multitrillion-dollar travel industry propelled by online, personalisation and the experiential
Top five trends in travel
Top five trends uncovered
Drivers of consumer markets and impact on Travel
Premiumisation, wellbeing and frictionless benefits for consumers on the move
Recovery set for 2025 when travel booking sales will reach new highs
Lodging and air travel dominate spending with fastest growth from experiences
Lodging, air, surface plus experiences open up opportunities for the perfect, seamless trip
Asia Pacific ready to overtake North America and Western Europe as top region
Travel brands aligning with traveller segments and their values drive incremental sales
Consumers look to travel brands to help make the better choice as green mainstreams
Gen AI shifts from personalised travel tips to supply chain efficiencies
Top companies in travel booking – leisure travel intermediaries dominate
Global giants and Asian brands steal a march on value growth
Company fragmentation
Online is the primary sales channel where consumers seek value for money
Inspiration still from word of mouth whilst trip planning mainly conducted online
Global travel outlook – sales poised to reach new record highs
Top 10 markets by absolute growth – with US and China battling it out for the top spot
IFM driver effects: China outbound shifts from revenge travel to income-led
Region by Category forecast: Asia Pacific far along the path to a connected trip
Region by Category forecast: Australasia – opportunities for upselling extras
Region by Category forecast: Eastern Europe – highly fragmented with good potential
Region by Category forecast: Latin America – optimistic as online accelerates
Region by Category forecast: Middle East and Africa – air travel offers big opportunities
Region by Category forecast: North America – mature with intense price pressure
Region by Category forecast: Western Europe – challenging outlook as price conscious
Travel sales fuelled by powerful macroeconomic, sociodemographic and mega-trends
Opportunities for growth
Our expert’s view of Travel to 2029

Travel

Travel encompasses several categories including tourism flows, lodging, travel modes, in-destination spending and booking.

See all of our definitions
Share:

NEW REPORT GUARANTEE

If you purchase a report that is updated in the next 60 days, we will send you the new edition and data extraction Free!