A World Travel Market outlook puts global visitor arrivals at a record 1.57 billion in 2026, despite conflict and economic uncertainty, according to a France 24 interview with its author.
David Goodger, managing director, EMEA, at Tourism Economics and the report’s author, told France 24 that tourism spending was higher. Rising prices accounted for a little more than half of the increase, he said, while travelers continued to choose luxury experiences when they could afford them.
The report found that chatbot use for itinerary planning had climbed. Only about one in three travelers said they would rely on an AI agent to make a booking. Goodger said AI handles many behind-the-scenes tasks, while human assistance still matters in the industry.
Street demonstrations, including some that turned violent, could temporarily lead visitors to choose another destination, Goodger said. He said Paris and other French cities would remain attractive, and visitors affected by short-term disruption would return sooner than after earlier interruptions. Goodger said the “rate of recovery has halved over the past few years.”
