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Skift
5 days ago
- Business
- Skift
State of Travel Report 2025 by Skift Research
This report is sponsored by Allianz Partners & Epsilon Welcome to Skift Research's State of Travel 2025 report There is an apocryphal ancient curse: 'May you live in interesting times'. We in the travel industry are certainly living through an interesting time for tourism in 2025. After a smooth take-off at the start of the year, the travel industry quickly hit turbulence as concerns about trade, tariffs, and policy weighed on the global economy. Make no mistake, the state of travel in 2025 remains strong. Our industry continues to grow. Travel has shown impressive resilience in a world tested by macroeconomic uncertainty and evolving consumer expectations. Then there is the pace of technology. Machine learning, once the gold standard for artificial intelligence is now table stakes. Travel technologists have gotten their footing with generative AI tools and are scaling LLMs even as we start to look forward to an agentic future. Changes in how businesses and consumers use AI could upend the long-established competitive landscape. Interesting times, indeed. Amid all these shifts, the consumer remains the north star. Travel is the most aspirational purchase in the world. The transition to an experiential economy continues and thousands of new travelers are emerging every day. But many questions remain. What is the next great travel experience? Where will the next wave of travelers come from? How will short-term rentals, airlines, and hotels adapt to shifting consumer priorities? How will sustainability pressures and the rapid adoption of technology reshape business models? Our State of Travel 2025 report is designed to be your reference handbook for navigating this evolving landscape. From proprietary consumer research and sector deep-dives to executive perspectives and market forecasts, we've assembled over 300 charts and insights covering nearly every corner of the industry. We hope this report helps you take these interesting times and turn them into a blessing, rather than a curse. Enjoy the report. What You'll Learn From This Report 300+ insights defining the state of travel in 2024 Proprietary and third-party data highlighting travel industry performance Consumer insights, sector deep dives, and executive perspectives Regional overviews of travel and tourism performance, based on proprietary Skift Research surveys and data Data-driven insights on the current state of all travel sectors: airlines, hotels, short-term rentals, online travel, traditional travel agents, multi-day tour operators, tours and activities, cruise, and car rental Insights into the economic climate as well as major travel trends including the impact of AI, experiential travel, business travel, luxury travel, and sustainability. Skift Research provides proprietary research, analysis, and premium data tools for travel industry professionals and their teams. Our team uses financial and economic analysis and proprietary survey data to support qualitative observations and travel-focused forecasts. We work with over 25 data partners from across the travel industry to provide timely insights into the performance of sectors and countries. View Skift Research subscription plans for individuals or groups. More Skift Research
Zawya
03-07-2025
- Zawya
UAE residents plan international travel for 2025: survey
The Allianz Partners Travel Index 2025, which surveyed 500 people in the UAE regarding their travel plans, preferences and concerns for the year ahead, reveals that most of the respondents in the UAE intend to travel internationally in the next twelve months. While global events and financial pressures continue to shape decisions, safety and peace of mind are emerging as top priorities – alongside a growing appetite for group travel, new destinations and higher holiday budgets. Where surveyed respondents in the UAE are heading: UAE Travelers Favor Regional & European Escapes; Caribbean Hotspot for Young Adults The Index finds that the Middle East and North Africa remain the most popular regions for outbound travel from the UAE, attracting 30% of travelers, followed by the UK and Europe at 26%. Meanwhile, younger travelers under thirty are increasingly drawn to central America and the Caribbean Islands, indicating emerging destination trends among Gen Z and millennial audiences. How often, how long and how much they'll spend: Respondents in the UAE Plan Multiple Trips, Longer Stays, and Budgets Over USD 3,000 (approx. AED 11000) One third of the surveyed respondents in the UAE plan to travel at least twice this year, with high income earners likely to take up to five or more trips annually. The typical holiday lasts between 9-15 days, with most travelers preferring to travel with family or companions, reinforcing the region's preference for shared experiences. While budgets are dependent on household income, 34% of travelers plan to spend more than $3,000 (approx. AED 11000) on their next holiday. Most of the respondents, take up to three months to plan and book trips, relying on recommendations from family, friends and social media – particularly YouTube, Facebook and Instagram – for travel inspiration. Furthermore, when it comes to using a travel app, 45% of respondents indicate that storing travel documents is the feature they would utilize the most while traveling. Concerns about safety: From Weather Woes to Geopolitical Fears Personal safety is the leading concern for UAE travelers, cited by 44% of respondents, followed by fears of extreme weather events, financial constraints, and flight disruptions. Higher-income travelers are especially mindful of geopolitical tensions, while younger travelers place importance on protecting travel documents and digital assets while abroad. Travel insurance purchases are also on the rise, as 26% of respondents say they intend to purchase policies through travel websites. Among those purchasing insurance, 50% state that the main reason for purchasing travel insurance is for their own security/peace of mind. Furthermore, 35% of respondents highlight medical emergency benefits and coverage limits as the most crucial factors influencing their insurance purchase, especially for longer international trips. Commenting on the launch, Vinay Surana, Regional Managing Director, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa at Allianz Partners said: 'The Allianz Partners Travel Index 2025 offers actionable insights for our partners at a time when travelers' priorities are rapidly evolving. By understanding the needs and concerns of respondents in the UAE, we can deliver more relevant, secure, and innovative travel solutions that empower our customers to explore with confidence.' -TradeArabia News Service
Tourism Breaking News
02-07-2025
- Tourism Breaking News
34% plan to travel at least twice this year and spend more than USD 3000 (approx. AED 11000) on their next holiday
Post Views: 42 As per the recent survey by The Allianz Partners Travel Index 2025 in the UAE regarding their travel plans, preferences and concerns for the year ahead, reveals that most of the respondents in the United Arab Emirates intend to travel internationally in the next twelve months. While global events and financial pressures continue to shape decisions, safety and peace of mind are emerging as top priorities – alongside a growing appetite for group travel, new destinations and higher holiday budgets. Where surveyed respondents in the UAE are heading: UAE The Index finds that the Middle East and North Africa remain the most popular regions for outbound travel from the UAE, attracting 30% of travelers, followed by the UK and Europe at 26%. Meanwhile, younger travelers under thirty are increasingly drawn to central America and the Caribbean Islands, indicating emerging destination trends among Gen Z and millennial audiences. How often, how long and how much they'll spend: Respondents in the UAE Plan Multiple Trips, Longer Stays, and Budgets Over USD 3,000 (approx. AED 11000) One third of the surveyed respondents in the UAE plan to travel at least twice this year, with high income earners likely to take up to five or more trips annually. The typical holiday lasts between 9-15 days, with most travelers preferring to travel with family or companions, reinforcing the region's preference for shared experiences. While budgets are dependent on household income, 34% of travelers plan to spend more than USD 3,000 (approx. AED 11000) on their next holiday. Most of the respondents, take up to three months to plan and book trips, relying on recommendations from family, friends and social media – particularly YouTube, Facebook and Instagram – for travel inspiration. Furthermore, when it comes to using a travel app, 45% of respondents indicate that storing travel documents is the feature they would utilize the most while traveling. Personal safety is the leading concern for UAE travelers, cited by 44% of respondents, followed by fears of extreme weather events, financial constraints, and flight disruptions. Higher-income travelers are especially mindful of geopolitical tensions, while younger travelers place importance on protecting travel documents and digital assets while abroad. Travel insurance purchases are also on the rise, as 26% of respondents say they intend to purchase policies through travel websites. Among those purchasing insurance, 50% state that the main reason for purchasing travel insurance is for their own security/peace of mind. Furthermore, 35% of respondents highlight medical emergency benefits and coverage limits as the most crucial factors influencing their insurance purchase, especially for longer international trips. Commenting on the launch, Vinay Surana, Regional Managing Director, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa at Allianz Partners said: 'The Allianz Partners Travel Index 2025 offers actionable insights for our partners at a time when travelers' priorities are rapidly evolving. By understanding the needs and concerns of respondents in the UAE, we can deliver more relevant, secure, and innovative travel solutions that empower our customers to explore with confidence.'
The Star
01-07-2025
- The Star
More people are buying premium insurance with global travel disruptions
With flight cancellations, delays and other disruptions on the rise, leisure travellers are being increasingly discerning over the level and type of insurance they buy. Businesses, too, are turning to specialist advisory services to limit risk. Since 2019, travel disruptions around the world have risen due to everything from Covid-19, extreme weather, volcanic eruptions, military conflict, jet safety issues, computer glitches and fires which have closed airports, grounded planes and stranded millions of passengers. In the United States, ongoing air traffic controller shortages and ageing technology have caused significant disruption. In May, equipment outages, runway construction and staffing shortages caused flight cancellations, diversions and delays at Newark Liberty, one of the main airports serving New York City. Recently, Israel attacked Iran, forcing carriers to cancel or divert thousands of flights to avoid conflict in the Middle East. Even with insurance, many policies specify a multitude of exemptions in the fine print. As a result, more travellers are taking out higher-end insurance policies, often at higher premiums, to better protect themselves, according to interviews with nine travel executives, insurance companies and analysts. 'We're in times that are quite unstable so people are cancelling more frequently than previously,' said Duncan Greenfield-Turk, CEO of Global Travel Moments, a luxury travel agency based in London, England. European tourists have increased their purchases of travel insurance for this summer by 3% compared with last year, according to German insurer Allianz Partners. Squaremouth, the largest travel insurance marketplace in the US, has seen a 34% year-over-year increase globally in purchases of 'Cancel For Any Reason' protection. British and US holidaymakers in particular are more willing to pay a higher premium to protect their trip, said Anna Kofoed, the CEO of Travel for Allianz Partners. About 32% more travellers globally requested an insurance quote from January to April compared to the same period in 2024, according to data from online travel insurance broker InsureMyTrip. Seeking travel advice There has also been a rise in demand for bespoke travel advice as US president Donald Trump has announced a number of immigration-related restrictions including tighter visa vetting procedures and travel bans. World Travel Protection (WTP), a global firm that advises businesses on travel risk, said it has seen a rise in US residents being detained at US borders and told their documents were no longer valid as visa rules were changing. WTP has worked with US government representatives to help those individuals return home, according to Frank Harrison, the company's regional security director for the Americas. 'We're seeing a very strong uptick in organisations coming to us wanting to know how to navigate the landscape of the US within the wider business,' Harrison said. CIBT, which provides non-legal visa and immigration guidance, has seen a 50% rise in inquiries since November 2024 from companies seeking to better prepare their employees for travel to the US, according to CEO Steven Diehl. High-end insurance One of the newest areas of business is in parametric insurance, which pays compensation automatically after a 'trigger' event such as a flight delay without the need to file a claim. Parametric insurance took off in some countries during the Covid-19 pandemic and in recent months more insurers around the world have begun to offer it. When testing the market last year, Spanish insurer Mapfre's Mawdy unit in Ireland said about 11% more customers opted for higher-tier travel insurance packages when instant compensation was included. Travel destinations have also spotted an opportunity in this burgeoning market. Marriott Bonvoy's villa rentals and waterparks, for example, offer parametric weather insurance at the point of booking, automatically paying out on rainy days. Sensible Weather, one of the providers of such coverage, reported its weather guarantees were added to 30% of theme park bookings and 10-15% of higher-value accommodation bookings when they were offered in 2024. In March, Squaremouth launched a new insurance product with cruise-specific benefits such as coverage for being confined on a cruise ship or missing the port of call. 'Everyone is trying to make it easier for people to understand that each trip ... is going to have a different set of concerns whether it's hurricanes or blizzards or what's going on with air traffic controllers,' said Suzanne Morrow, CEO of online insurance broker InsureMyTrip. – Reuters
CNA
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CNA
CNA938 Rewind - Malaysia's Booker Prize nominee Tash Aw discusses 'The South' – the first in a quartet of novels
CNA938 Rewind Play In 'Culture Club', Melanie Oliveiro speaks with Malaysian author Tash Aw, known for international bestsellers like 'The Harmony Silk Factory' and the longlisted Booker Prize novel 'Five Star Billionaire'. Twenty years after his debut title, Aw will talk about 2025's 'The South' which is a coming-of-age tale of teenager Jay Lim who – with his family – moves south of the Malaysian peninsula to a neglected farm that they have inherited. Aw will talk about the characters and era that propel the story and how 'The South' is the first in a quartet of novels. CNA938 Rewind - Malaysia's Booker Prize nominee Tash Aw discusses 'The South' – the first in a quartet of novels In 'Culture Club', Melanie Oliveiro speaks with Malaysian author Tash Aw, known for international bestsellers like 'The Harmony Silk Factory' and the longlisted Booker Prize novel 'Five Star Billionaire'. Twenty years after his debut title, Aw will talk about 2025's 'The South' which is a coming-of-age tale of teenager Jay Lim who – with his family – moves south of the Malaysian peninsula to a neglected farm that they have inherited. Aw will talk about the characters and era that propel the story and how 'The South' is the first in a quartet of novels. 39 mins CNA938 Rewind - Travel & the average Singaporean - an Allianz Partners survey In 'Destination Anywhere', Melanie Oliveiro analyses key travel survey results released by Allianz Partners, a global firm providing B2B2C insurance and assistance. Managing Director Vinay Surana will discuss the Allianz Partners Travel Index survey which - for the first time - has released some Singapore findings. Surana will discuss trends like why some Singaporeans are not travelling; what concerns they have about going overseas; using AI for holiday planning; and even aisle passenger behavioural trends. 19 mins CNA938 Rewind - #TalkBack: If you are a private hire driver, should there be a limit to the number of hours you work? The recent passing of 49-year-old driver Gavin Neo from a stroke has raised serious questions about the long hours some drivers are putting in just to make ends meet. Lance Alexander and Daniel Martin discuss more with Tan Ying Ying, Director of NTUC Freelancers and Self-Employed Unit. 28 mins CNA938 Rewind - A Letter to Myself - Vidhi Modi on launching XVXII Jewellery with only $500 and growing it into a multi-storey flagship at Haji Lane Vidhi Modi, Founder of XVXII Jewellery, started her entrepreneurial journey early, from selling handmade bookmarks and masala popcorn at the age of seven to launching her own waterproof and tarnish-free jewellery brand. Starting XVXII with just $500 during the pandemic, Vidhi grew it from a bedroom startup to a three-storey flagship store at Haji Lane, all while juggling a degree in Cyber Security. In this episode of A Letter to Myself, Vidhi tells guest host Vaisali Prabhakaran about the personal journey behind her brand, the influence of her family, the lessons learned through failure and resilience, and her vision for global expansion. 41 mins
