From Pets To Pop Culture, Travel Is Being Redesigned Around The Traveller: Amadeus Report

Pets And The Travel Economy

The most visible element in this reshaping is undoubtedly the pet-inclusive travel trend. Around 56 per cent of people, globally, own a pet, out of which 47 per cent are first-time owners. These have indeed carved a new segment of travellers who believe man's best friend belongs with them, not in a kennel.

The report stated that 27 per cent of pet parents travelled for the first time with their pet in 2025. Meanwhile, 42 per cent of pet owners reported concerns that travel would be too stressful for their animal, which underscores the increased demand for better-designed services to accommodate pets.

Airlines, rail operators, and hotels are responding with in-cabin access, pet-friendly routes, dedicated airport facilities, and loyalty programs that recognise pets as repeat companions. The global pet industry is projected to reach a valuation of $500 billion by 2030, stated the report.

Trip Planning With AI And Human Inputs

Travel planning is becoming increasingly multi-source. The share of travellers using generative AI-powered tools for trip planning rose from 11 per cent to 18 per cent in a year, marking a 64 per cent year-on-year increase.

These tools are primarily used by travellers to save time, discover new destinations, and receive personalised recommendations. Still, trust remains uneven: about a quarter of the travellers reported receiving outdated or incorrect information during trip planning, while only 46 per cent were ready to trust AI systems.

But at the same time, travellers are increasingly combining AI-powered tools with human-led platforms. User-generated video nudged 26 per cent of travel decisions, while word of mouth remained the leading source at 36 per cent. Online communities are growing at a noticeable speed: Reddit documented a 31 per cent increase in active users, with 1.9 million members dedicated to its travel forum alone.

Nonstop Flights Are Redrawing Global Travel Maps

Aircraft innovation is continuing to change where and how people travel. New aircraft capable of longer ranges, but with narrower bodies, deliver fuel efficiency and enable nonstop routes between cities that required layovers otherwise. These aircraft have gained around 25 to 30 per cent more preference compared with their flights with layovers.

Long-haul has also been supported by the placing of over 500 orders for extended-range narrow-body aircraft by airlines, which are now deployed on long-haul routes. This has opened up direct connections by carriers between secondary cities and expanded options for travel with reduced journey times.

Airports are also changing. The survey found that 69 per cent of travellers would use biometric gateways if it meant not needing to stop or show a passport, signalling growing acceptance of automation to reduce friction.

Hotels Are Letting Guests Design Their Stay

Accommodation is moving away from fixed categories such as standard or deluxe. Instead, hotels are now letting travellers choose room features and services before arrival.

The report stated that 63 per cent of travellers are willing to pay more for specific room attributes. In the US, among business travellers, 17 per cent would pay up to 20 per cent more for included business services in their room. For Gen Z travellers, the report found that 12 per cent would be willing to pay up to 25 per cent more for in-room entertainment options like gaming consoles or premium channels.

This unbundled approach lets travellers spend more efficiently, while helping hotels grow revenues without touching base room prices.

The Pop Culture Craze

Entertainment and fandom are playing a significant role in shaping travel demand. Places linked to films, web/TV series, and music are driving spikes in flight searches, hotel bookings, and room rates.

For instance, advance bookings to Seoul for early 2026 have gone up by 19 per cent compared to the same period last year, with Japan seeing a 33 per cent rise and the US a 30 per cent rise. Average daily rates for hotels saw an increase between 5.9 per cent and 7.4 per cent in the months following the release of a major film associated with the city of Seoul.

International bookings to Alberta from North America for the first half of 2026 are up 20 per cent y-o-y, while demand from European markets is up 47 per cent. These are numbers that underpin how pop culture is converting digital fandom into physical travel.

Travelling To Innovation Hubs

Innovation-led destinations are a new travel category. Cities with advanced technology, robotics, and automation are seeing rising interest among travellers who seek futuristic experiences.

The number of people searching for flights to Shenzhen during the first half of 2026 is up 48 per cent y-o-y.

Searches from many key markets have risen even more sharply, with a 137 per cent increase from the UAE, 82 per cent from Singapore, and 55 per cent from the UK.

There is also strong interest in future travel: around 60 per cent of international travellers say they are interested in hypersonic air travel, while 59 per cent would consider ultra-fast ground transport, such as hyperloop systems.

Whether it's taking pets along, blending AI with human research, flying nonstop to smaller cities, chasing pop culture, or tailoring a hotel stay, it's now about relevance and ease.