Shortly before the start of ITB Berlin from 3 to 5 March 2026, the international travel industry is sending a clear signal: year-on-year, international trips worldwide rose by four per cent in 2025.
The latest findings of the World Travel Monitor® by IPK International confirm the continuing upward trend of recent years, and that increases are back in single digits. The strong growth rates in international tourism are approaching pre-pandemic levels again.
Stable demand from Europe – differing trends in North and South America
In 2025, there were regional differences in international travel. European outbound travel rose by four per cent, in line with the global average. North America, on the other hand, registered a slight decline: year-on-year, travel was at minus one per cent. Despite this slight drop, the USA remained the country with the highest level of international travel worldwide – ahead of Germany and the UK. At five per cent, international travel from Asia recorded moderate, slightly above-average growth. The South American market was particularly dynamic, with outbound travel increasing by 11 per cent, the strongest growth of all regions. This was driven mainly by a significant rise in intracontinental travel.
High levels of satisfaction at Arab destinations
Within the framework of the World Travel Monitor® and in order to establish IPK’s Destination Performance Index (DPI), travel satisfaction, recommendation and intention to return are surveyed and analysed for all international holiday trips worldwide. The winners in 2025 were once again Dubai, ahead of Abu Dhabi, the Bahamas and Brazil. In Dubai, the categories service, accommodation and weather received the highest ratings. In both Dubai and Abu Dhabi, sustainability received the most negative ratings. Switzerland topped the European rankings, just ahead of Austria. Both destinations achieved above-average results for landscape and nature ratings.
Holidays dominate – MICE rebounds strongly
Almost three-quarters of all international trips worldwide in 2025 were holiday trips: this segment grew by four per cent, in line with the global average. Sun and beach holidays remained top of the list, a fact also reflected in the most popular destinations: Spain again recorded the most international trips in 2025. In addition, round trips and nature breaks achieved above-average growth, while event and wellness travel fell slightly. At six per cent, business travel in 2025 grew at an above-average rate, and for the first time returned to 2019 levels. MICE travel grew particularly strongly, rising by eight per cent.
Increase in travel duration and spending
In 2025, the average duration of international trips rose slightly to currently around nine nights. This was due mainly to the high proportion of air travel and recovery of long-haul trips. What was also striking was the above-average growth of rail travel.
Spending per trip also displayed an above-average increase in 2025, with a year-on-year increase of five per cent. The majority of this was on accommodation. On average, transport accounted for about a quarter of travel spending, with significantly smaller amounts spent on food and activities at destinations.
Positive outlook for 2026 as well
There are many indications that demand for international travel will remain largely the same in 2026. The available data suggests that basic travel behaviour will remain more or less stable and that growth rates will return to pre-pandemic levels again. Nonetheless, issues such as overtourism and lack of sustainability continue to concern travellers and are opening up new opportunities for both small and large destinations.
Against the backdrop of dynamic developments in the Americas, ITB continues to expand its international presence. With the new ITB Americas, due to take place for the first time in Guadalajara, Mexico from 10 to 12 November this year, the ITB brand is establishing a B2B trade show for the entire American continent – from North America, Central America, Latin America to the Caribbean. In doing so, ITB is responding to the growing importance of the region in global travel, while restating its claim as the world’s leading platform for the international travel industry.
At the ITB Berlin Convention 2026 from 3 to 5 March, trade visitors will gain practical insights into the future of tourism. Taking as its slogan ’Leading Tourism into Balance’, the focus will be on harmonising growth, innovation and sustainability. At 17 theme tracks and on four live stages, experts from companies such as Airbnb, Expedia, Phocuswright, Google, Booking.com, G Adventures, Microsoft, TUI and many more will present current trends, digital innovations and sustainable strategies for the industry.
Online accreditation for press representatives and bloggers/creators
You can register online here now. Please note the accreditation guidelines. After your application has been processed and approved you will receive an email with a PDF containing your accreditation, press badge and a personal QR code. Please display this QR code at the entrance. Your ticket is non-transferable. You can register and obtain accreditation online around the clock for the entire duration of the event.
About ITB Berlin and the ITB Berlin Convention and ITB 360°
ITB Berlin 2026 will take place from Tuesday, 3 to Thursday, 5 March as a B2B event. Since 1966, ITB Berlin has been the leading trade show for the global travel industry. In 2026, it will celebrate its 60th anniversary under the motto “Discover the stories behind 60 years of legacy.” At the same time, the ITB Berlin Convention will take place under the theme “Leading Tourism into Balance,” bringing together 400 top speakers from business, science and politics on four stages and across 17 thematic tracks to explore the key challenges and opportunities shaping the future of the industry. At ITB Berlin 2025, 5,800 exhibitors from more than 170 countries and territories displayed their products and services to almost 100,000 visitors. With ITB 360°, the 365-day global innovation hub that is ITB Berlin now offers the worldwide tourism community year-round insights in the shape of specialist articles, podcasts and other innovative formats.
Additional information is available at www.itb.com and from the ITB News & Insights & Social Media.