Insight Report findings give reason for cautious optimism

For well over a decade, the Travel Weekly Insight Report has been an unrivalled free resource for those running travel businesses.

This week marks the official publication of the 2026 edition, once again authored by our executive editor Ian Taylor, and I would urge all readers to use it to support your own business planning.

The report features exclusive consumer research alongside analysis by experts at our long-term partner Deloitte and, despite an increasingly volatile global outlook and ongoing pressures on consumer finances, it paints a largely positive picture of ongoing demand (page 5).

As Deloitte’s Alistair Pritchard notes, corporate strategies for many remain “largely defensive”, with a focus on cost-cutting. Yet Alistair also highlights early signs of cautious optimism, evidence of which we have certainly seen in the travel trade this year with a range of companies expanding and diversifying.

As we also report this week, expansion doesn’t come without barriers, with staff costs continuing to be a challenge for those looking to resource their growth strategies (page 6).

But with only marginal drops in travel intent since the post-pandemic boom years, it certainly appears there are plenty of grounds to expect another positive year overall.

In addition to assessing demand and shifting consumer trends, the 60-page Insight Report assesses a wealth of crucial topics through a travel lens, ranging from AI and sustainability to regulation and corporate investment.

They say good things don’t come for free, but this report is very much the exception to the rule. Please take advantage by downloading your copy. 

Download your free copy at travelweeklyinsight.co.uk