The Most Important Story: 2024

Times are changing in the Middle East with the launch of new airlines, unified visas and an all-out entertainment economy.

In 2024, tourism pivoted to Live Tourism, with travelers chasing events and moments over destinations. Emotional, communal experiences dominated itineraries, transforming how brands package, promote, and deliver travel.

In 2024, we saw Washington clamp down on the airline industry with a slate of regulations, investigations and merger decisions. Now, as Donald Trump is set for a second term, we could see a loosening in regulations and more merger activity.

As tourists prioritize convenience over bureaucracy in their journey choices, visa reforms will help determine the winners in Asia’s tourism rebound. Regions with rigid visa policies risk missing out.

Banning short-term rentals in New York City didn't instantly lead to a wave of affordable housing, although the impact could potentially be different in smaller towns and cities.

It’s not just long-haul network airlines that are taking advantage of this increasingly lucrative segment. Low-cost carriers are marching in the premium parade too.

Hotels aren't full! (Except in Manhattan.) One theory why is that corporate travelers — who used to book rooms for days or weeks at a time — are taking shorter trips because of hybrid work.

Will hotel websites become the dominant distribution channel for hotels by 2030, leaving online travel agencies behind? It could certainly happen. However, there are reasons that scenario might not take place. Let's discuss this again in five years.

AI companies have made considerable progress in 2024 as it relates to travel — glitchy as the tech may be. It's just the starting point for 2025, which is sure to have an explosion of AI advancements.