Where is travel's growth really coming from in 2026? Here's what 129 travel professionals told us.

Travel Massive’s new free industry report on where travel’s growth is really coming from in 2026, supported by Stripe, digs into insights from 129 travel professionals across 35 countries to help travel businesses cut through the noise and find out what’s actually working.

A few highlights from the report:

• Political uncertainty is the #1 barrier to growth, cited by 34% of respondents ahead of rising acquisition costs (27%) and beating every operational challenge on the list.

• Travel companies talk loyalty but spend on acquisition: 59% say customer lifetime value is very important or business-critical to their growth strategy, yet 77% say their primary focus is chasing new customers, with only 23% prioritizing repeat customers.

• Partnerships, not paid ads, are the top growth priority for 2026: 65% named growing partnerships and distribution channels as their top priority.

• There’s a widening “AI divide”: travel tech companies feel ahead of competitors on AI (34% ahead vs. 11% behind), while tour operators feel left behind (45% behind vs. 14% ahead).

Inside The New Growth Itinerary Report, you’ll find insights and quotes you won’t see anywhere else, covering where growth is really coming from, what’s standing in the way, and how the industry is handling AI — straight from leaders at ICE Travel Group, Kensington, Railbookers Group, Memorii, oneworld Alliance, Regal Travel Management Group, and Kenwood Travel.

Download your copy today and see where the industry stands on growth, AI, and the road ahead.