The global travel and tourism industry has almost fully recovered from the impact of Covid-19 by the end of 2023, allowing new themes to emerge in 2024 as travelers and businesses look to the future.
In November 2023, the United Nations World Tourism Organization (NWTO) shared data showing that several destinations have reached or exceeded pre-pandemic arrivals and revenues. It notes: “International tourism is on track to fully recover to pre-pandemic levels in 2024 despite economic challenges.”
Emerging trends will shape this future as ecotourism issues, the integration of new technologies, and personalized experiences influence consumer behavior. Speaking on a new episode of the Thematic Intelligence Podcast, GlobalData analyst Monia Boraui looked at how industry themes will evolve in 2024.
She commented: “There are many topics that are important in the sector, but if I had to pick three that are hot in the industry at the moment, they would be sustainable travel… personalization and increasing demand for it… and the biggest disruption to the industry would be the adoption of new technology.
Speaking of Hotel Management Network earlier this week on how AI developments are shaping travel and offering solutions to the sector’s pain points, Borawi said: “Companies want to take advantage of these new opportunities, especially in areas such as sales, marketing and customer support. Airlines, airports and travel agents would benefit from investing in the human-AI interaction layer to improve operational efficiency.
“The accommodation and cruise sectors would benefit from computer vision technologies for check-in and boarding processes, while attraction operators could use them to monitor occupancy. Pattern recognition, planning and forecasting capabilities are extremely useful in all segments of the travel industry.”
Access the most comprehensive company profiles on the market powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain a competitive edge.
Company profile – free sample
Your download email will arrive shortly
We are confident in the unique quality of our company profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the form below
From GlobalData
Boraui also spoke about the impact of consumer interest in sustainability and the topic of ecotourism shaping the industry in 2024, as environmental awareness drives businesses to rethink their ESG strategies.
She explained: “Travellers are increasingly aware of the environmental and social impacts of their travels, leading to a growing demand for eco-friendly accommodation, carbon-neutral transport options and ethical travel experiences. In response, industry players are implementing sustainable initiatives such as reducing single-use plastics, supporting local communities and investing in renewable energy solutions.”
Borawi’s appearance on the Thematic Intelligence Podcast predates that of GlobalData Key topics in travel and tourism for a 2024 webinar on March 20 that will examine the trends shaping the sector.
