Why Croatia Is Booming

Croatia’s tourism explosion is driven by three transformative factors:

• Schengen membership (Jan 2023): No border checks for 80% of Croatia’s tourists, making weekend trips seamless
• Euro adoption (2023): Removes exchange rate uncertainty for 60% of tourists from the eurozone
• Post-pandemic recovery: Tourism now contributes 20% of Croatia’s GDP, with coastal regions heavily dependent on the industry

The numbers are striking: over 1.1 million arrivals in Q1 2026, with Dubrovnik seeing heavy crowds even before summer begins.

Dubrovnik’s iconic walled city along the Adriatic Sea is seeing heavy tourist crowds before summer even begins

Reshaping Europe’s Travel Map

Croatia is diverting travelers from traditional Mediterranean destinations:

• Italy and Spain are seeing shoulder-season traffic shift to Croatia for lower prices, fewer crowds, and more authentic experiences
• Dubrovnik and Split are competing directly with Venice and Barcelona for cruise ship passengers, with authorities now restricting cruise ship numbers
• Istria region attracts day-trippers who might have previously visited the French Riviera at lower costs

Economic Impact and Sustainability Challenges

Tourism accounts for 20% of Croatia’s GDP, creating thousands of jobs while driving up housing prices in popular areas like Dubrovnik and Split. However, rapid growth has sparked concerns:

• Environmentalists worry about mass tourism’s impact on Croatia’s 1,880 km of coastline, 600+ islands, and 8 national parks
• Dubrovnik is restricting cruise ships while the government limits short-term rentals to combat overtourism
• Raised fuel prices are affecting air traffic, as Croatia relies almost completely on air travel

Key Points

The Peristyle of Diocletian’s Palace in Split, Croatia, a UNESCO World Heritage site, with its colonnaded courtyard and the Prothyron. 

• Croatia welcomed 3 million overnight stays in Q1 2026, a 9% increase in arrivals and 8% rise in overnight stays versus 2025
• Schengen and Euro adoption removed barriers for 80% of tourists from Schengen and 60% from eurozone countries
• Tourism accounts for 20% of GDP, with the boom reshaping Europe’s travel map by diverting travelers from Venice and Barcelona

The Peristyle of Diocletian’s Palace in Split, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is seeing increased tourist footfall

Bottom Line: Croatia’s tourism boom is rewriting Europe’s travel map, transforming the country from a “summer alternative” into a primary Mediterranean destination competing directly with Italy and Spain. With Schengen and Euro membership removing friction, 3 million overnight stays in Q1, and 20% GDP contribution, Croatia is no longer the hidden gem—it’s the new European travel powerhouse, even as it grapples with overtourism’s environmental and social costs

Aviation Heritage: The Heart of Wichita’s Identity

Wichita’s crown jewel remains its aviation heritage, with world-class attractions like the Museum of World Treasures’ Aviation Wing, the Wichita Aviation Museum, and the Kansas Aviation Museum drawing plane enthusiasts and families alike. The city’s legacy as the birthplace of companies like Boeing, Cessna, and Beechcraft continues to attract aerospace professionals, corporate groups, and tourists eager to explore its rich history of flight innovation.

Culture and Events: A Rising Star in the Midwest

Beyond aviation, Wichita’s cultural scene has surged, with the Wichita Symphony Orchestra, Cotter Art Museum, and the Old Town Arts District offering vibrant performances, exhibitions, and street festivals. The city’s annual events—including the Wichita Aviators Baseball Games, Wichita Festival of Arts, and Wichita River Festival—have become major drawcards, bringing in thousands of visitors from across the Midwest and beyond.

Outdoor Adventures: Nature Meets the City

Wichita’s outdoor recreation has also become a major growth driver, with the Great Bend Trail, Riverfront Park, and Marshal Fox Nature Area offering hiking, biking, and kayaking opportunities right in the city limits. The nearby El Dorado State Park and ** Cheney Reservoir** provide even more options for fishing, boating, and camping, attracting outdoor enthusiasts who want nature without the long drive.

Economic Impact: Tourism as an Economic Engine

The 7 million visitors generated an estimated $1.2 billion in economic impact for the Wichita region, supporting over 10,000 jobs in hospitality, retail, transportation, and food service. The city’s tourism board credits strategic marketing campaigns, partnerships with local businesses, and enhanced visitor experiences for the record-breaking numbers.

Looking Ahead: Building on the Momentum

With tourism growth showing no signs of slowing, Wichita is investing in new infrastructure, including expanded hotel capacity, improved public transportation, and enhanced visitor centers to accommodate the influx of visitors. The city is also exploring new aviation-themed attractions, first-person heritage experiences, and eco-tourism initiatives to continue its momentum into 2026 and beyond.

Key Points

• Wichita welcomed a record 7 million tourists in 2025, driven by culture, aviation heritage, outdoor adventures, and major events.
• The city generated an estimated $1.2 billion in economic impact and supported over 10,000 jobs in hospitality, retail, and transportation.
• Aviation heritage remains a key attraction, with museums and aerospace history drawing enthusiasts and corporate groups.
• Outdoor recreation and cultural events are becoming increasingly important, with parks, trails, and festivals driving leisure tourism.

Bottom Line: Wichita’s record-breaking 7 million tourists in 2025 proves that the city is no longer just an aviation hub—it’s a full-fledged, multi-experience destination that’s successfully leveraging its unique heritage, culture, and natural beauty to drive historic tourism growth and economic prosperity.

Off‑season demand drivers

Italian cities and regions are attracting travelers beyond the traditional July–August crush by promoting milder‑weather breaks, gastronomy‑and‑wine routes, cultural festivals, and spa‑and‑thermal‑bath experiences, which appeal to both domestic and international visitors who want to avoid overcrowding and inflated summer prices. Coastal strips such as Tuscany, Puglia, and the Amalfi Coast now see extended shoulder‑season demand, while Lake Garda, Lake Como, and the Dolomites benefit from hiking, biking, and winter‑sports push‑into‑shoulder‑months patterns.

Spain, Greece, Croatia, and Portugal have led this year‑round‑Mediterranean model, using second‑home‑buyers, digital‑nomad‑focused visas, and targeted regional‑marketing campaigns to keep arrivals flowing in October–November and March–May. Italy is now mirroring that playbook, with national and regional tourism boards investing in off‑peak‑driven digital‑ads, event‑led calendars, and flexible‑rate packages that reward longer stays and last‑minute bookings.

Year‑round growth and stable profits

For hoteliers and hospitality operators, the result is higher occupancy and more predictable revenue in autumn and spring, which helps smooth out the classic “boom‑bust” summer cycle. With less dependency on one‑month frenzy, properties can invest in staff‑training, maintenance, and guest‑experience upgrades without the same pressure to maximize short‑term top‑line spikes, which in turn supports higher repeat‑visitor rates and better reviews.

Italy’s move into this year‑round‑Mediterranean framework also strengthens its position against Northern‑European competitors, which still rely more heavily on short‑season coastal and alpine demand, and positions Southern Italy, Sicily, and the Adriatic as four‑season‑style destinations rather than purely “summer‑only” playgrounds.

Key Points

• Italy is now joining Spain, Greece, Croatia, and Portugal in a Mediterranean‑driven off‑season tourism boom, with strong shoulder‑season and selected winter‑peak demand.
• The model is built on culture‑and‑wellness‑focused travel, food‑and‑wine itineraries, and remote‑work‑friendly stays, which keep visitors coming outside of peak summer weeks.
• Hospitality profits are becoming more balanced and resilient year‑round, as hotels shift from one‑season spikes to sustained, multi‑season occupancy and higher‑value, longer‑stay guests.

Bottom Line: By joining Spain, Greece, Croatia, and Portugal in the off‑season tourism surge, Italy is re‑shaping its visitor calendar into a year‑round opportunity, helping hospitality operators lock in steadier occupancy, higher lifetime‑value guests, and more sustainable growth beyond the traditional summer peak.

A $10.4‑billion powerhouse month

In March 2026, U.S.‑based agencies settled air tickets worth $10.4 billion, up sharply from the same month last year. The volume of trips also climbed, with 28.1 million passenger trips recorded, a 4% rise compared with March 2025. Of that, 17.7 million trips were domestic, up 5% on the prior‑year level, while 10.4 million were international, edging 1% higher.

At the same time, the average ticket price hit $623, its highest so far this year, 16% more than a year ago. Economy tickets averaged $570, a 21% yearly jump, while premium‑class fares climbed to $1,444, up 17%—signaling that airlines are passing on fuel and operational costs to travelers without crushing demand.

First‑quarter records and broader momentum

The March performance helped push first‑quarter 2026 agency air ticket sales above $30 billion, continuing a record‑setting trend that began when U.S. travel agencies first crossed $100.4 billion in annual ticket sales in 2025. Crucially, ARC’s data shows that, for the first time since late 2025, all major agency segments—corporate, leisure‑focused wholesalers, and online travel agencies—posted year‑over‑year growth in passenger trips, suggesting recovery is now broad‑based rather than skewed to just one channel.

Why it matters

For the industry, the 12% surge in March signals that U.S. travel agencies are not just back—but firing on all cylinders. Domestic demand remains rock‑solid, while international bookings are ticking up, helped in part by new long‑haul routes and stronger capacity into Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. At the same time, the jump in average ticket prices hints that travelers are willing to pay more for convenience, flexibility, and premium‑class comfort, which bodes well for agencies that can bundle complex, high‑value itineraries.

Key Points

• March 2026 agency air ticket sales hit $10.4 billion, a 12% rise year‑over‑year, with 28.1 million trips settled by ARC.
• Domestic trips grew 5% (17.7 million) and international trips rose 1% (10.4 million), indicating strong demand on both sides of the pond.
• The average ticket price climbed to $623, with economy at $570 (+21% YoY) and premium‑class at $1,444 (+17% YoY), reflecting higher‑cost flying that travelers are still absorbing.
• The first quarter of 2026 pushed agency air sales past $30 billion, building on 2025’s record of $100.4 billion in annual agency sales and showing agencies are firmly in a growth phase.

Bottom Line: With air ticket sales surging 12% and total volumes climbing, U.S. travel agencies are proving that demand is not just back—it’s being re‑priced and re‑embedded into a higher‑yield, more complex travel environment, where advisors and online platforms that master bundles, loyalty, and flexible bookings stand to benefit the most.

Event‑driven tourism surge

The World Urban Forum is the largest global gathering on cities and urbanization, attracting delegates from over 150 countries and focused on themes such as housing, climate resilience, and smart cities. Baku’s selection as host city followed a 2023 decision by the UN‑Habitat Executive Board, which cited the city’s rapid urban‑development and infrastructure upgrades as key reasons for the choice. In the lead‑up to WUF13, local authorities and the Azerbaijan Tourism Board (ATB) have worked with accommodation providers to align hotels, conference‑center logistics, and transportation schedules, pushing for higher service standards and coordinated capacity planning that benefit both the event and long‑term tourism appeal.

Long‑term tourism and branding benefits

Beyond the immediate attendee influx, WUF13 is helping Baku reposition itself internationally as a smart, green, and architecturally ambitious destination, rather than just a regional oil‑and‑energy hub. Azerbaijan has declared 2026 the “Year of Urban Planning and Architecture,” aligning the forum with a broader national campaign to highlight contemporary infrastructure, restoration projects, and sustainable‑city initiatives that can attract post‑forum leisure and business‑travel flows. The event’s exposure—through high‑level media coverage, side‑seminars, and city‑center activations—means that many delegates experience Baku as a normal‑speed, non‑Olympic‑style destination, which can translate into repeat visits, regional‑hub status, and new country‑branding momentum for the country’s tourism strategy.

Key Points

• Baku is hosting the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13) from May 17–22, 2026, one of the UN’s flagship events on urbanization and housing, bringing thousands of international delegates and creating a tourism‑and‑hotel demand spike.
• The city’s selection reflects its modern infrastructure and urban‑planning reforms, with the event now leveraged as a platform to showcase Azerbaijan’s hospitality, architecture, and sustainable‑city vision.
• The forum is driving a tourism “boom‑like” environment in Baku, with hotels and local operators preparing for unusually high demand and using the occasion to upgrade standards and service consistency.

Bottom Line: Baku’s role as host of the World Urban Forum 2026 is transforming the city into a short‑term mega‑conversational hub and a long‑term branding opportunity, pushing tourism demand higher than usual and positioning Azerbaijan as a rising, architecture‑and‑urban‑development‑focused destination on the global travel map.

Scale and visitor numbers

The 2024 result was driven by 114.4 million visits, a new record that surpasses even the pre‑pandemic high of 113.2 million set in 2019. Day‑trippers and overnight guests both contributed, with the state welcoming about 49.5 million overnight stays in 2023 alone, an increase over the prior year and a strong base for the 2024 surge. Overnight visitors, who spend roughly three times more per trip than day‑tripper visitors, are key to the jump in economic impact, driving revenue for hotels, restaurants, local attractions, and Main‑Street‑level spending.

Underlying drivers of the “boom”

The Wisconsin Department of Tourism attributes the surge to broad‑based demand for outdoor and community‑led experiences, including lakeside recreation, hiking, fishing, fall‑leaf‑viewing, winter‑sports destinations, city‑food‑and‑culture districts, and smaller‑town festivals. The state’s relatively affordable lodging and dining costs compared with many coastal and snow‑belt destinations have also helped keep Wisconsin attractive even as prices rose elsewhere, while year‑round itineraries and a “value‑packed” messaging campaign have encouraged visitors to stay longer and return more often. Marketing efforts under the “Travel Wisconsin” banner—emphasizing authentic local culture, craft‑beer routes, farm‑to‑table food, and community‑owned events—have further pushed the state into the top tier of “road‑trip‑friendly” Midwest destinations.

Fiscal and community benefits

Beyond headline numbers, the tourism surge is generating a record $1.7 billion in state and local revenue, money that flows back into public services and infrastructure as well as into local businesses and jobs. The Wisconsin Department of Tourism and its partners argue that tourism’s economic ripple effect is felt far beyond the hotel and restaurant cash register, supporting everything from retail, transportation, and event‑services jobs to town‑center revitalization and rural‑small‑business resilience.

Key Points

• Wisconsin tourism generated a record‑high $25.8 billion in economic impact in 2024, the third straight record year, up from about $25 billion in 2023.
• The state hosted a record 114.4 million visits, exceeding 2019 levels, with over 49.5 million overnight stays helping to push per‑trip spending higher.
• The “Badger Boom” is fueled by outdoor‑recreation demand, affordable travel value, and a strong local‑experience narrative promoted under the Travel Wisconsin brand.
• The sector also contributed a record $1.7 billion in state and local revenue, underscoring tourism’s role as a central pillar of Wisconsin’s broader economy.

Bottom Line: Wisconsin’s tourism “Badger Boom” reflects a combination of pent‑up leisure demand, value‑driven pricing, and a hyper‑local‑experience marketing strategy, turning the state into a high‑return, high‑volume destination that punches above its weight in the national tourism landscape.

Standout properties and regional wins

Among the honours, several Anantara resorts secured leading spots in their categories:

• Anantara Desaru Coast Resort and Villas – #1 Best Malaysian Resort
• Anantara Layan Phuket Resort – #2 Best Thailand Resort
• Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas – #3 Best Maldives Resort
• Anantara Ubud Bali Resort – #4 Best Boutique Resort

Collectively, these placements underscore that Anantara’s experiential model—deeply location‑driven design, curated local‑culture activities, and luxury‑with‑context stays—resonates strongly across key beach‑and‑jungle‑destination hubs in Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean. The brand’s presence in Malaysia, Thailand, the Maldives, and Bali signals a deliberate focus on high‑yield leisure corridors where travellers actively seek more than just a beachfront room, but holistic, destination‑anchored experiences.

Brand‑level significance for Minor Hotels

The ranking also feeds into Minor Hotels’ broader narrative of Anantara as a flagship luxury‑experience brand, following earlier accolades such as its appearance in the Top 25 Best Hotel Brands in the World (No. 8) at the 2025 Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards. For Minor, the DestinAsian recognition reinforces that its portfolio is being awarded not just for individual properties, but for a consistent brand philosophy that blends comfort, authenticity, and deep‑local immersion across geographies.

Key Points

• Anantara Hotels & Resorts has been ranked #5 Best Brand for Leisure in the 19th DestinAsian Readers’ Choice Awards, with 10 Anantara properties recognised across five Asia‑Pacific destinations.
• Standout resorts include Anantara Desaru Coast (No. 1 Malaysia), Anantara Layan Phuket (No. 2 Thailand), Anantara Kihavah Maldives (No. 3 Maldives), and Anantara Ubud Bali (No. 4 Boutique Resorts).
• The results highlight Anantara’s strength in experiential, place‑based leisure and high‑value resort markets, dovetailing with Minor Hotels’ strategy of positioning Anantara as a leading global luxury‑experience label.

Bottom Line: Anantara’s endorsement as a top‑five leisure brand in DestinAsian’s industry‑respected reader survey reinforces that Minor Hotels’ location‑centric, experience‑rich playbook is resonating with discerning travelers across Asia, helping the brand hold its own against established global luxury flags while growing its footprint in premium resort corridors.

The new projects will spread across Jaipur, Jawai, Udaipur, Pushkar, and Coorg, targeting the growing demand for premium leisure stays, destination weddings, and branded‑resort investments. Fine Acers is also introducing the Dolce by Wyndham brand to India with upcoming resorts in Goa and Udaipur, scheduled to open around 2030, under a sale‑and‑leaseback model that lets private investors buy room‑units in return for guaranteed yields and professional management. This model allows the company to inject capital into development while giving buyers a route into professionally run, income‑generating hospitality assets in high‑demand leisure belts.

Fine Acers’ expansion strategy reflects a broader push toward iconic, branded resorts in culturally rich destinations, aligning with rising domestic and international demand for high‑end leisure travel and wedding tourism. By layering strong architectural identity, global brand standards, and investor‑friendly structures, the group is positioning itself as a bridge between luxury hospitality and real‑estate‑style investment in the Indian market.

Key Points

• Fine Acers plans five new luxury properties by 2029, adding about 700 keys across Indian tourist destinations.
• The group targets 1,500 rooms across seven properties, partnering with Wyndham and launching Dolce by Wyndham resorts in Goa and Udaipur.
• It uses a sale‑and‑leaseback model that lets investors buy resort units while earning fixed returns and yields.

Bottom Line: Fine Acers’ five‑property push by 2029 transforms it from a regional resort operator into a national‑scale branded‑hospitality player, blending luxury leisure, franchise partnerships, and investor‑centric models to capture India’s growing premium‑tourism and second‑home‑cum‑investment appetite.

This leap reflects a broader pivot from chasing sheer visitor numbers to maximizing the value each traveler brings. Affluent tourists are splurging on high‑end shopping along the Champs‑Élysées, multi‑course gastronomy experiences, and premium stays in Paris, the French Riviera, Provence, and the Loire Valley, while regional initiatives push visitors into the countryside and lesser‑known historic towns to ease pressure on overcrowded hotspots. Policy tools such as higher city‑level accommodation taxes and sustainability‑driven marketing have helped lift average spend per visitor and spread benefits across the country, even as arrivals remain close to a record pace.

France’s lead over the UK, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Greece signals a new era where revenue per tourist matters as much as headcount. The UK still posts strong growth and high hotel rates in cities like London, Edinburgh, and Manchester, while Spain and others push package‑tour volumes; yet France’s blend of world‑class culture, iconic landmarks, and deliberate “value‑over‑volume” strategy has given it a narrow edge in 2025. With the government eyeing €100 billion in annual tourism revenue by 2030, the challenge is to balance this high‑value momentum with sustainability, resident well‑being, and the dangers of overtourism in its most iconic regions.

Key Points

• France surpassed the UK, Germany, Italy, Spain, Greece, and other leading European nations in tourism revenue in 2025.
• The country welcomed 102 million international visitors and earned roughly €77.5 billion, up about 9% over 2024 and 37% over 2019.
• Luxury travel, cultural tourism, and higher visitor spending per trip are core drivers of the surge.
• Accommodation taxes and regional sustainability campaigns help redistribute visitors and amplify revenue.

Bottom Line: France’s 2025 tourism bonanza cements it as Europe’s economic powerhouse of travel, outpacing the UK, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Greece by blending luxury appeal, cultural magnetism, and smart policy—while setting the stage for a high‑value, more sustainable decade to come.

This isthmus gem—where Panama City’s skyline pierces tropical skies above Casco Viejo’s colonial balconies dripping with bougainvillea, Bocas del Toro’s Caribbean islands sparkle with coral reefs and barefoot beach bars, Chiriquí highlands mist over coffee plantations and cloud forest zip-lines, and the Panama Canal’s massive ships glide through Gaillard Cut locks watched by awestruck crowds—transforms from transit hub to sought-after destination, blending indigenous Emberá river lodges with Pacific surf breaks and duty-free shopping sprees.

European heavyweights drive the boom: France favors canal tours and indigenous experiences, Spain connects through colonial history ties, Italy seeks culinary parallels in ceviche and sancocho feasts, Germany explores Darién jungle treks, Netherlands taps eco-adventure niches, and UK discovers bohemian beach vibes—filling boutique hotels from Pearl Islands resorts to highland fincas while boosting year-round cruise calendars.

Key Points

• France surges in canal, cultural visits.

• Spain leverages colonial heritage links.

• Italy discovers Pacific culinary gems.

• Germany embraces Darién eco-treks.

• UK explores Caribbean island escapes.

Bottom Line: Panama’s European-powered ascent blends canal majesty, island idylls, jungle mysteries, and colonial charm—welcoming French, Spanish, Italian, German, Dutch, and British travelers to isthmus magic that fuels economic fire and global allure through endless tropical adventures.