Latest news with #internationaltourism
Zawya
6 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Dragonpass sets new benchmarks for premium travel in the GCC
Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Dragonpass International (Dragonpass), the world's leading provider of digital airport ecosystem platforms, is redefining the travel experience in the GCC. With over 2.7 million customers in the region, we've seen a 100% year-on-year increase in customers transitioning from analog to digital. This growth aligns with the broader development visions shaping the future of the GCC. Regional strategies, including Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 and the UAE's Urban Plan 2040, emphasize smart infrastructure, elevated quality of life, and seamless urban mobility—all priorities that mirror Dragonpass's commitment to frictionless, tech-enabled travel. Across the GCC, international tourism is surging, with Saudi Arabia welcoming 30 million visitors and the UAE's major airports seeing over 48 million international arrivals in the past year. The demand for seamless, value-rich travel experiences has never been higher. Dragonpass's growth has been powered by its flexible and collaborative approach to market entry and expansion. Rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all model, the company partners closely with local organizations to co-create solutions that reflect the unique cultural and consumer dynamics of each GCC market. This localized agility has enabled Dragonpass to rapidly scale its operations and emerge as a preferred platform for both travelers and regional businesses seeking to enhance the travel experience. A key differentiator is Dragonpass's advanced technology platform, which aggregates travel services and loyalty benefits into one unified and personalized user experience. Strategic partnerships with leading blue-chip organizations based in the Middle East allow the company to deliver high-value offerings that combine exclusivity, convenience, and relevance. Dragonpass has also expanded well beyond traditional airport benefits. The platform now offers access to over 2,150 curated travel experiences, including Fast Track and a wide array of dining options. Dragonpass has recently launched a new lifestyle module focused on wellness and fitness. Members can now access more than 1,000 fitness and wellness locations across 50 major cities in over 25 countries—meeting the growing demand in the region for holistic, on-the-go wellbeing. 'The GCC is redefining the future of global travel, with innovation at the core of how experiences are delivered and valued,' said Andrew Harrison-Chinn CMO at Dragonpass. 'The GCC is a strategic growth market for us, home to highly discerning travelers who expect seamless, premium, and personalized journeys. By co-creating with forward-thinking partners and investing in technology-led solutions, we're not just responding to regional demand — we're helping shape a smarter, more elevated travel ecosystem across the region.' About Dragonpass International: Dragonpass is a global leader in digitally enabled airport and travel services, offering access to over 1,400 airport lounges, 161 Fast Track lanes, 516 dining benefits, and other premium travel experiences. Supporting over 40 million users worldwide, Dragonpass partners with leading banks, card issuers, and travel providers to deliver seamless, customer-centric solutions. Headquartered in the UK, which serves as its global business hub, the company manages key partnerships and operations across a global network. Dragonpass also maintains regional offices in markets including UAE, Singapore, Brazil, South Africa, Japan, and China—reflecting its commitment to delivering locally relevant solutions at a global scale. For media inquiries, please reach out to: Duha Shabib | Founder | The Halo Agency duha@ Sara El Niel | Account Manager | The Halo Agency sara@
Fast Company
28-05-2025
- Business
- Fast Company
Who wants to come to America? More tourists are staying away, spending their money elsewhere in 2025
Between reports of travelers being arrested or hassled at border crossings and boycotts due to President Trump's divisive rhetoric, it's no surprise that the number of international visitors to the United States has taken a sharp downturn. Now new research from Tourism Economics predicts an 8.5% decline in international tourism to the United States this year. As a result, the country could see an $8.5 billion downtick in international visitor spending, according to Tourism Economics, an Oxford Economics company. Meanwhile, the World Travel & Tourism Council has an even bleaker prediction, estimating a loss of $12.5 billion for 2025. The former's predictions are an improvement from a report two months ago, which put the decrease in arrivals at 9.4% and spending down to 5%, compared to 4.7%. However, they're shocking when you consider that the researchers had initially predicted a 9% increase in international travelers and a 16% boost in their spending for 2025. 'Negative sentiment effects' The largest decline for a single country is predicted to reach 20.2% from Canada—the independent nation that President Trump has posited should go from neighbor to 51st state. Western Europe follows at an expected 5.8% decrease in visitors to the U.S. Canada and Europe already have a significant drop in flights booked for May to July, down 33% and 10.4%, respectively. 'Overall, the strained relationship between the US and its key trading allies and tourism source markets will continue to weigh heavily on travel demand,' stated Aran Ryan, the report's author and the director of industry studies. 'These negative sentiment effects referenced in our prior research, explain our view that Trump administration rhetoric and policies have contributed to a mix of traveler backlash and concerns about traveling to the US.'
Travel Daily News
15-05-2025
- Business
- Travel Daily News
US economy set to lose $12.5b. in international traveler spend
WTTC warns the U.S. risks losing $12.5bn in international visitor spending in 2025, threatening jobs, economy, and global tourism leadership. LONDON, UK – The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), the global body representing the Travel & Tourism private sector, announced its latest Economic Impact Research which found that the US is on track to lose a staggering $12.5bn. in international visitor spending this year. Notably, international visitor spending to the U.S. is projected to fall to just under $169bn. this year, down from $181BN in 2024. This significant shortfall represents a 22.5% decline compared to the previous peak. The loss won't be felt by Travel & Tourism alone, with WTTC saying it represents a direct blow to the U.S. economy overall, impacting communities, jobs, and businesses from coast to coast. According to the study, the U.S, the largest Travel & Tourism sector in the world, is the only country among 184 economies analysed by WTTC and Oxford Economics, forecast to see international visitor spending decline in 2025. A Global Leader in Reverse Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: 'This is a wake-up call for the U.S. government. The world's biggest Travel & Tourism economy is heading in the wrong direction, not because of a lack of demand, but because of a failure to act. While other nations are rolling out the welcome mat, the U.S. government is putting up the 'closed' sign.' Simpson continues, 'Without urgent action to restore international traveller confidence, it could take several years for the U.S. just to return to pre-pandemic levels of international visitor spend, not even the peak from 10 years ago. This is about growth in the U.S. economy – it is doable, but it needs leadership from DC.' In 2024, nearly 90% of all tourism spending came from domestic travel, with Americans holidaying at home in record numbers. But this heavy reliance on homegrown tourism is masking a serious vulnerability; the international market is where the real growth lies, and the U.S. is losing its crown. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, new international arrivals data for March 2025 reveal a sharp and widespread drop in inbound travel from many of the country's key source markets: UK arrivals, one of the U.S.'s most important source markets, down nearly 15% year over year Germany, another significant source market, plunged more than 28% South Korea – down almost 15% Other key markets, such as Spain, Colombia, Ireland, Ecuador, and the Dominican Republic, saw double-digit drops between 24% and 33% As widely expected, the Canadian market is drying up, with early summer bookings down over 20% compared to last year. This is more than a dip. It's a wake-up call. While other countries are powering forward, the U.S. is slipping backward. Relying on domestic travellers might have kept the lights on during the pandemic, but without a bold international recovery plan, the world's biggest Travel & Tourism economy risks falling further behind. A Missed Economic Opportunity The economic cost of inaction is clear. Travel & Tourism contributed $2.6tn. to the economy last year and supported more than 20mn jobs. It also contributed more than $585bn. in tax revenue annually, accounting for almost 7% of all government income. It could be even higher with a strong international visitor base. The sector has long been a reliable driver of federal, state, and local tax receipts. At the same time, outbound travel is surging. Americans are travelling abroad in large numbers, yet inbound recovery from key markets has stalled. The U.S. is welcoming fewer visitors from its neighbours and countries further afield, which is a clear indicator that the global appeal of the U.S. is slipping. WTTC warns that this imbalance not only affects local economies and employment but also undermines America's position as a top global destination for trade, culture, and business. In 2019, international visitors generated $217.4bn. in revenue and supported almost 18MN jobs across America. Today, that legacy is under threat. WTTC is calling for immediate action to address travel access, rebuild international marketing efforts, and restore global traveller confidence in the U.S.
The Independent
09-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
New York expecting 2 million fewer foreign visitors this year amid concerns over Trump policies
New York City is expecting 2 million fewer international tourists this year amid concerns over President Donald Trump 's anti-immigration and trade tariff policies, according to a new report. City officials revised their December forecast, which estimated 14.6 million foreign tourists would visit in 2025, down to 12.1 million, according to a report released by New York City Tourism and Conventions, the city's tourism agency. Including both domestic and foreign visitors, the city expects to see 3.5 million fewer in total compared to the 67.7 million it previously predicted. 'We are in uncertain times and there are more questions than answers,' Julie Coker, the agency's CEO said, emphasizing that 'New York City is still the most welcoming, inclusive and diverse city in the world.' The drop in estimated foreign visitors is partly down to the Trump administration's 'high-profile detainments' of immigrants, according to Adam Sacks, president of consulting firm Tourism Economics. Stories of nightmare encounters at the U.S. border, some of which resulted in Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention, have spooked travelers. Sacks also said that Trump's tariffs were deterring tourists from the U.S., according to Bloomberg. Foreign tourists are vital for the city as they typically spend more money than domestic visitors. In 2024, international tourists spent $23 billion, according to the city's Comptroller Brad Lander. Canadians have the highest number of tourists coming to the U.S., with 24 million visiting last year, followed by Mexico at 17 million and the United Kingdom at 4 million. In a recent report by research firm Tourism Economics, inbound travel to the U.S. is now projected to decline by 5.5 percent this year, instead of growing by nearly 9 percent as had previously been forecast. A further escalation in tariffs and trade wars could result in further reductions in international tourism, which could amount to an $18 billion annual reduction in tourist spending in 2025. Trump was quizzed about how his policies were impacting international tourism figures at the end of last month, when he downplayed the situation. 'There is a little nationalism there, I guess, perhaps,' he said in the Oval Office. 'It's not a big deal.'
