By joining WTTC as a Regional Member, Messe Berlin Americas reinforces its commitment to working alongside the industry’s leading organisations to shape the future of travel and tourism in the Americas.

As the first travel trade show bringing together North America, Central America, South America and the Caribbean under a single B2B platform, ITB Americas connects the region’s travel and tourism ecosystem, driving business opportunities, knowledge exchange and industry collaboration.

The inaugural edition of ITB Americas will bring together destinations, tourism boards, buyers, travel companies, hotel brands, airlines, technology providers, MICE professionals and industry leaders from across the Americas and beyond. Trade visitors can register now to attend ITB Americas 2026 and connect with leading players from across the travel and tourism industry. The event is expected to welcome more than 5,000 attendees and participants from more than 42 countries and regions.

Organised by Messe Berlin Americas, the regional subsidiary of Messe Berlin, ITB Americas builds on the global ITB portfolio of travel trade shows and is designed to become the leading gateway to the travel and tourism industry across the Pan-American region. 

WTTC President & CEO, Gloria Guevara said: “We are delighted to welcome Messe Berlin Americas as a Regional Member. Through its focus on fostering business connections, knowledge exchange and collaboration, the organisation plays an important role in strengthening engagement across the Travel & Tourism sector in the Americas. We look forward to working together to connect industry leaders, support regional growth and advance opportunities for the sector throughout the continent.”

Messe Berlin Vice President and Managing Director Americas, Vicente Salas Hesselbach added: “Joining WTTC as a Regional Member marks an important milestone for Messe Berlin Americas and, above all, for ITB Americas. As we prepare to launch the inaugural edition of ITB Americas, we are committed to building a platform that brings together the travel industry across the entire continent, fostering meaningful business connections, knowledge exchange, and long-term collaboration. This achievement reinforces our commitment to shaping a stronger, more innovative, and sustainable future for travel and tourism in the Americas.”

About ITB Americas
The first edition of ITB Americas will be held from November 10-12, 2026, in Guadalajara, Mexico. As the premier B2B travel trade show for the entire American continent, ITB Americas unites industry professionals from North, Central, and South America as well as the Caribbean. With a strong focus on regional and international market potential, ITB Americas features a curated Hosted Buyer programme and a high-level conference showcasing thought leaders and industry experts.

(Source: Messe Berlin ITB Americas)

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United delivered pre-tax earnings of USD1.0 billion, with a pre-tax margin of 5.8%. Adjusted pre-tax earnings were USD843 million, with an adjusted pre-tax margin of 4.8%.

“Our results show why we have been investing in customer improvements throughout every cabin and winning brand-loyal customers,” said United CEO Scott Kirby. “United is built to thrive in every environment, and when oil prices spiked in March, we quickly and decisively acted to adjust our schedules, while simultaneously doubling down on our customer investments. Our brand-loyal customers value their travel on United, whether they are in Polaris or in economy. Our network expansions, investment in Starlink, and innovations such as Relax Row are giving customers new reasons to choose United.”

Based on oil prices as of 14 July, United expects nearly USD6 billion in added fuel expense for the full year 2026 compared to the expectation at the start of the year. 

In the second quarter, fuel expense was up USD2.3 billion, or 84% year-over-year, and the company recovered approximately half of this increase. In the third quarter, the company expects to recover approximately 80% to 90% of the increase, and 100% by the fourth quarter. Yields were up 12% during the quarter, showing strong demand for United’s product.

Diverse revenue streams all contributed to this quarter’s success and United’s ongoing resilience: Premium revenue was up 16% compared to the second quarter of 2025, basic economy revenue was up 11%, loyalty revenue was up 11%, and cargo revenue was up 23%. Close-in demand remained robust, with contracted business revenue up 27% in the quarter. The economy cabin continues to recover with unit revenue up 12%, marking two consecutive quarters of positive growth.

United is investing in customers throughout the aircraft, including the United Relax Row across a row of United economy-class seats. During the quarter, United installed Starlink on its first widebody aircraft, and Starlink is now installed on 450 United mainline and United Express aircraft. 

United remains on track to bring Starlink to its entire fleet by the end of 2027 — ahead of its major US competitors. Starlink is free for MileagePlus members.

United’s first “Born to Explore” Airbus A321XLR is expected to enter domestic service this fall and will be connecting the US to international destinations by early next year.

Key Highlights

Flew the largest domestic schedule in company history, serving 240 airports in the US and Canada.

Took delivery of United’s first A321XLR aircraft, the first narrowbody featuring United’s Elevated interior, including updated United Polaris and United Premium Plus seats, screens with Bluetooth connectivity at every seat, and a self-serve snack bar.

Increased MileagePlus credit and debit cardholder benefits, allowing cardholders to earn even more miles, get redemption discounts of at least 10% on every United award flight they book, and have special access to additional inventory of lowest-priced award tickets.

Customer Experience

Launched 27 new routes in the US and Canada, including nine new domestic routes from Chicago-O’Hare. 

Began service from New York/Newark to four new transatlantic destinations: Bari, Italy; Split, Croatia; Santiago de Compostela, Spain; and Glasgow, Scotland, and launched service between Washington/Dulles and Reykjavik, Iceland.

Began offering United customers the brand new 787-9 with an elevated interior on flights between San Francisco and Singapore and London. The new premium-configured aircraft features 99 premium seats in total, including 8 United Polaris Studio suites and 56 United Polaris seats.

United announced plans to launch service later this year to five new destinations: Caracas, Venezuela; Cartagena, Colombia; Sapporo, Japan; St Croix, US Virgin Islands; and Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Mexico.

Announced four new routes to existing destinations, including Chicago to Tokyo-Narita; Washington/Dulles to Los Cabos, Mexico; Denver to Providenciales, Turks and Caicos; and Houston to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

(Source: United)

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With rising demand for business-class air tickets, MyFlyYatra provides bookings across major international airlines for travellers flying from the US to destinations worldwide.

The platform serves business travellers, families, and long-stay international passengers looking to fly business class to Dubai, Africa, and all global destinations for convenience.

All other forms have traditionally focused on India-bound travel; the latest expansion includes dedicated travel resources for destinations such as Johannesburg, Cape Town, Frankfurt, London, Paris, Rome, Tokyo, Sydney, Melbourne and Dubai. This move aligns with increasing global travel demand and the need for structured access to international flight options.

MyFlyYatra is developing destination-specific pages and content optimised for high-demand search queries, such as business-class flights.

“Our goal is to support a wider audience of global travellers by expanding beyond India-focused routes and offering comprehensive travel information across multiple destinations,” MyFlyYatra said in a press statement this week.

This expansion reflects MyFlyYatra’s broader vision to become a global travel discovery platform that helps users efficiently explore and compare international flight options.

(Source: MyFlyYatra)

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Flights will operate year-round from both hubs, starting with four flights per week. United currently offers service to Bogota and Medellín, Colombia and has served the country for more than 30 years

These new flights will operate year-round from both hubs, starting with four flights per week during the winter season. United will fly a Boeing 737 on this route. 

Lonely Planet named Cartagena as a 2026 Best in Travel destination, noting its well-preserved Spanish architecture, vibrant culinary scene and rich history. Flights are available for sale on United.com and the United app.

“Colombia has been an important part of United’s Latin America network for more than 30 years, and our new service to Cartagena reflects our continued investment in the country and commitment to offering customers new and distinct travel experiences,” said United Airlines Senior Vice President of Network Planning and Global Alliances, Patrick Quayle. “As our third destination in Colombia, complementing our service to Bogotá and Medellín, Cartagena gives our customers access to a different side of the country while making it easier for travellers across North America to experience one of the Caribbean’s most iconic destinations.”

United offers more flights to Latin America than any other airline in both Texas and the Washington, DC, area, with nonstop service to 57 destinations from its Houston hub and 18 from Dulles. The new routes will connect Cartagena to more than 70 destinations across the US, from United’s hubs in Houston and Washington, DC.   

Schedule Details

(Source: United Airlines)

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The event officially marked the start of assembly of the vacation brand’s new ship and kicks off the next two years of construction ahead of its anticipated 2028 debut. 

During the ceremony, teams from Royal Caribbean and Chantiers de l’Atlantique placed a layer of freshly minted coins beneath the first steel block in the dry dock, known as the keel. The long-standing maritime tradition celebrates the beginning of the ship’s journey by wishing good fortune to the ship, its crew and future voyagers. 

The soon-to-be-named ship will join the revolutionary Oasis Class lineup in 2028 and deliver new adventures, dining, entertainment and experiences designed for every type of vacationer.

(Source: Royal Caribbean)

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According to Agoda’s data, accommodation searches by Japanese travellers for major North American cities and football-related destinations have increased year-on-year, with Mexico City recording a 240% increase in travel interest during the event period. Other related destinations also saw strong double- to triple-digit growth.

The data is based on accommodation searches made by Japanese travellers between 20 January and 20 April 2026, for check-in dates between 10 June and 19 July 2026, covering the period of the global football event.

Most popular football destinations 

Ahead of the 2026 global football event period, the following cities recorded the strongest growth in interest among Japanese travellers:

Mexico City, Mexico – up 240% year-on-year

Philadelphia, United States – up 99% year-on-year

New York, United States – up 56% year-on-year

Hamburg, Germany – up 43% year-on-year

Madrid, Spain – up 24% year-on-year

Interest grows in Mexico City, New York and Philadelphia

Mexico City, Philadelphia and New York are drawing increasing attention as key destinations associated with the global football event in summer 2026.

Among them, Mexico City recorded the highest growth, with accommodation searches up 240% year-on-year. The city’s rich cultural appeal and wide range of accommodation options may be contributing to this increased interest.

During the event period, cities are also expected to host football festivals, public viewing events, and fan experiences, offering travellers the chance to enjoy the tournament atmosphere beyond the stadium.

European football cities also gain attention 

The ranking also includes Hamburg and Madrid, despite neither being host cities for the event. This suggests that Japanese travellers are looking beyond major North American destinations and considering trips centred on Europe’s fan culture, communities and football-related events.

Known for their passionate football cultures and energetic match-day atmospheres, both cities are attracting interest from travellers who want to experience the excitement of the event alongside local fans.

These findings suggest that Japanese travellers are increasingly seeking not only to enjoy the sporting event itself but also broader overseas experiences centred on football, culture and local connections.

Agoda International Japan, Senior Country Director, Tadashi Ikai, shared: “Japanese travellers are showing strong interest in destinations connected to the global football event taking place in summer 2026, and this trend is clearly reflected in Agoda’s latest search data. What stands out is that interest is not limited to major North American cities. Japanese travellers are also looking at European cities with strong football cultures and passionate fan communities, showing that they plan to enjoy the event in different ways. For many travellers, this global football event is becoming more than just an opportunity to watch matches. It is also a chance to experience local culture, connect with people and enjoy a memorable overseas trip. Agoda will continue to support Japanese travellers looking to enjoy this global event by offering a wide range of accommodation options and travel products.”

(Source: Agoda)

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The regional landscape, however, is highly differentiated.

At the geographic centre of the Middle East war, airlines in the region are expected to collectively fall into the red due to weak demand and operational disruptions. All other regions are expected to deliver profits, but at reduced levels from previous projections. Highlights include:

Airlines are expected to achieve a combined net profit of USD23.0 billion in 2026, roughly half of the previously projected USD41 billion. It is also roughly half the USD45 billion net profit estimate for 2025.

The net profit margin is expected to be 2% in 2026, roughly half the previously projected 3.9%. It is also less than half the 4.2% estimate for the 2025 net profit margin.

Net profit per passenger transported is expected to be USD4.50, half the USD9.10 achieved in 2025.

Operating profit in 2026 is expected to be USD48.0 billion (down from USD76.4 billion in 2025) for a net operating margin of 4.1% (down from 7.2% in 2025).

Return on invested capital (ROIC) is expected to be 4.3% (down from 6.6% in 2025). This is below the estimated weighted-average cost of capital of 8.5%. The gap highlights again the structural weakness of the airline industry, where profitability shocks quickly erode capital efficiency. 

Total industry revenues are expected to reach USD1.165 trillion in 2026 (up 9.4% on the USD1.065 trillion in 2025).

The passenger load factor is forecast to continue to set record highs, with airlines expected to fill 84.0% of all seats over the year. That is an improvement on 83.5% in 2025.

Passenger numbers are expected to reach 5.1 billion in 2026 (up 2.4% on 2025). 

Cargo volumes are expected to reach 71.7 million tonnes in 2026 (up 0.2% on 2025).

“War-related disruptions in the Middle East and rising fuel costs have shifted the outlook for airlines for the worse. Globally, airlines are expected to see profitability halve compared to 2025. Profits will shrink from $45 billion in 2025 to $23 billion this year. And margins will shrink from 4.2% to 2.0%. All airline bottom lines are suffering from the rapid 70% rise in jet fuel prices. Some of the additional costs are being recuperated by adjusting prices and improving efficiency, but it will not be sufficient to maintain profitability at the previous year’s level. Smaller carriers that started the year with weak balance sheets are certainly struggling. At the regional level, all are in the black but with sharply reduced financial performance, except in the Middle East. The Gulf carriers face operational uncertainty following a near-complete shutdown of airspace at the outbreak of the war. These carriers are doing an amazing job maintaining connectivity, but major financial impacts are unavoidable,” said IATA’s Director General Willie Walsh.

Even in the best of times, the airline industry as a whole suffers from low margins and returns below the cost of capital. The oil price shock has tested airlines’ financial resilience, with net margins squeezed to 2% globally.

Airlines are bearing the brunt of the fuel price shock. While air fares are rising, airlines are still absorbing part of the hike in their bottom lines. Net profit per passenger is expected to fall to $4.50, half of last year’s level. Under the circumstances, that shows resilience. But it won’t even buy you a hot dog at most of the FIFA World Cup venues, and it does not leave much of a buffer should other costs or taxes start rising,” said Walsh.

Outlook Drivers

Overall revenues are expected to grow by 9.4% to USD1.165 trillion. Revenue per available tonne-kilometre (ATK) is expected to grow by 8.8%. Outside of the extraordinary period of the COVID recovery, an increase of this magnitude occurred only recently, in 2008, when the jet fuel price rose by 40% year-on-year, and in 2010, following the 2009 global financial crisis and a subsequent jump in the price of jet fuel.

Despite significant improvements, revenue growth is expected to lag operating expense growth, with operating expenses of USD1.117 trillion, halving industry-wide net profitability to USD23.0 billion in 2026.

Major macroeconomic factors impacting airlines are expected to deteriorate in 2026, with GDP growth slowing to 2.5% (from 3.4% in 2025), inflation rising to 5.0% (from 4.1% in 2025), and world trade growth slowing to 1.9% (from 4.6% in 2025).

For the full report’s findings, check out Global Outlook for Air Transport Energy in Crisis.

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Inspirational Role Model: Rania Alturki, Executive Vice President, Human Resources, Saudia Group.

High Flyer: Fiona Omondi, Chief Strategy Officer, Tradewinds Aviation Services and Co-Founder, Women in Aviation International, Kenya.

Diversity & Inclusion Team: LATAM Airlines Group

“Aviation competes for talent. In that context, the IATA Diversity & Inclusion Awards inspire the industry with great examples of the many initiatives underway. They are a strong signal to anyone considering working in our amazing industry that there are opportunities without boundaries for all to build rewarding careers in aviation. It is particularly encouraging to see the growing number of women in cockpit roles, on the ground in maintenance and engineering, and in the CEO’s office. There is still much more progress to make, but it’s important to pause and recognise the changes happening and those leading the charge. Congratulations to all those nominated for the Awards and, of course, the winners,” said IATA’s Director General Willie Walsh.

Qatar Airways sponsor the IATA Diversity & Inclusion Awards. With their support, each winner receives a prize of USD25,000, payable either to them or to their nominated charities. 

The 2026 IATA Diversity & Inclusion Awards were presented during the World Air Transport Summit (WATS), which followed the 82nd IATA Annual General Meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 

Winner Profiles

Inspirational Role Model: Rania Alturki, Executive Vice President, Human Resources, Saudia Group. She joined Saudia Group as the airline’s first female executive with one clear ambition — to create opportunities for female pilots and cabin crew members, and to integrate women into engineering and technical roles in an environment that, for years, remained closed to women. Under her leadership, the group underwent a remarkable transformation, with women now representing approximately 25% of the Saudia Group workforce and playing a key role in supporting the group’s growth, innovation, and transformation. In addition, 56% of cabin crew members are now women, and 34% of all new hires in 2025 were women, up 11% from the year before. Importantly, more than 36 women now serve in different leadership positions across the group. 

High Flyer: Fiona Omondi, Chief Strategy Officer, Tradewinds Aviation Services and Co-Founder, Women in Aviation International, Kenya. Omondi is a trailblazer in Africa’s aviation industry, co-founding Women in Aviation International Kenya to raise awareness of aviation careers and support aspiring professionals through mentorship and outreach initiatives.

Diversity & Inclusion Team: LATAM Airlines Group. The efforts of LATAM Airlines Group and its affiliates focused on increasing the number of female maintenance technicians, which rose from 111 in 2021 to 539 by December 2025 and has continued to grow across the group. LATAM Airlines Group has dismantled gender stereotypes in technical roles and strengthened its workforce by expanding access to skilled talent in this key area of the industry. This demonstrates how inclusion can directly support business resilience and long-term growth.

(Source: IATA)

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WTTC’s latest Economic Impact Research (EIR) forecasts Travel & Tourism GDP across Central and South America will grow 4.1% in 2026, ahead of the global average of 3.2%.

International visitor spending across the region is projected to increase 7.8%, more than double the global growth rate of 3.7%.  

Globally, WTTC data forecasts that Travel & Tourism will contribute USD12 trillion to the world economy in 2026, accounting for 9.9% of global GDP and supporting 376 million jobs worldwide. Over the next decade, global Travel & Tourism GDP is forecast to grow at an annual rate of 3.6%, 1.5 times faster than the wider global economy, which is forecast to grow at 2.4%.   

According to WTTC’s research, the region continues to benefit from resilient domestic travel demand and comparatively lower exposure to geopolitical disruption linked to ongoing conflict in the Middle East, with affected transit routes and source markets playing a smaller role than in other regions. 

Several markets across Central and South America are forecast to post strong Travel & Tourism growth in 2026. Ecuador is expected to lead the region in Travel & Tourism GDP growth at 11.6%, while Bolivia is projected to grow by 10.3%, supported by a 25.8% surge in international visitor spending. Argentina’s Travel & Tourism sector is forecast to grow 4.9% in 2026, while Colombia is projected to record growth of 5.7%, reinforcing the region’s broad-based momentum.     

Brazil, one of the region’s largest Travel & Tourism markets, is forecast to continue growing in 2026, with Travel & Tourism GDP projected to increase 2.1%, while international visitor spending is expected to rise 3%. WTTC data also forecasts particularly strong momentum in Venezuela, where Travel & Tourism GDP is projected to grow 33.2% in 2026, alongside a 34.8% increase in international visitor spending.   

Central America is also expected to post strong results. Guatemala’s Travel & Tourism GDP is forecast to grow 6.1% in 2026, with international visitor spending projected to rise 9.3%. In Panama, the sector is forecast to grow 8.4%, with international visitor spending expected to increase 8.9% next year.     

WTTC data indicates that continued investment in connectivity, destination infrastructure, traveller confidence, and workforce development will be critical to sustaining the region’s growth trajectory and maintaining competitiveness amid evolving global travel patterns. 

The organisation also highlighted the importance of affordability and stable travel environments as key drivers of resilience, while warning that inflationary pressures and weaker consumer sentiment remain downside risks in some markets. 

WTTC President & CEO Gloria Guevara said: “Central and South America continues to emerge as one of the world’s most dynamic Travel & Tourism regions, with strong domestic demand, rising international spending, and growing traveller confidence supporting growth across many markets. 

Countries such as Ecuador, Bolivia, Guatemala, Panama, Argentina, Colombia, Brazil, and Venezuela are demonstrating the sector’s enormous potential when supported by investment, connectivity, and a long-term strategic focus. The region has a real opportunity to strengthen its global competitiveness and secure sustained long-term growth.”

According to WTTC’s latest research, Travel & Tourism is forecast to support 18.5 million jobs across Central and South America in 2026, representing 8.3% of all jobs in the region.

WTTC’s Economic Impact Research is produced in partnership with Oxford Economics and is among the world’s most authoritative datasets on the economic contribution of Travel & Tourism.  

For more information about WTTC, visit wttc.org. 

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Two new supporting initiatives expand the organisation’s messaging: Get Facts Get Going, an always-on effort designed to provide real-time information on visa and entry policies, fees, and more to combat misperceptions; and American Originals, a new content and storytelling series spotlighting the people, places, and experiences that are distinctly American.

The new initiatives being announced this week at the US Travel Association’s IPW in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, targeting leisure tourism, and at IMEX in Frankfurt, Germany, targeting international business events, reflect the organisation’s focus on growing international travel demand and boosting travel exports that impact the US economy and communities. The announcement comes as the US is readying to host significant major events beginning next month, including the FIFA World Cup, America’s 250th anniversary, and the Route 66 Centennial.

“In line with our mission to impact the US economy through travel exports, we have an opportunity to build traveller confidence further and inspire visitation,” said Brand USA’s President and CEO, Fred Dixon. “With our expanded platform, we are introducing American Originals, which spotlights the people and places who originated the styles, sounds, and tastes the world loves, while Get Facts Get Going serves as a single source of information to address misperceptions head-on. We want international visitors to know that we are open for business and warmly welcome them.”

Since its global launch last October, America the Beautiful has served as Brand USA’s flagship campaign and platform, inspiring international audiences. Monthly surveys show more than seven in ten respondents say the campaign positively influences their interest in visiting the US.

Brand USA is now building on that foundation with two new initiatives, each serving a distinct and equally important role. America the Beautiful inspires. American Originals fuels consideration, and Get Facts Get Going aids conversion by dispelling perceived logistical barriers.

Operating under a single data-driven and strategic framework, Brand USA has also created new integration opportunities with its destination partners, such as South Dakota and Alabama, and with corporate brands such as Hilton, with more to come. New integrations are designed to expand reach, improve target efficiency, and increase visibility for the platform and partners.

Get Facts Get Going

The expansion tackles misperceptions about visa requirements, entry procedures, fees, visa integrity, national park pricing, and screening policies. It has created confusion among some international travellers — until now, no single easy-to-use resource has brought this information together in one place. 

Get Facts Get Going is built to be always on, and continually updated as an integrated marketing, communications, and trade effort reaching international audiences through paid media in key global markets; real-time content delivered through global distribution systems; direct travel trade engagement through Brand USA’s agent training USA Discovery Program; and testimonials through the organisation’s Visiting Journalists Programme.

As an extension of these efforts, Brand USA has an ongoing partnership with US Customs and Border Protection to facilitate and expand global entry sign-ups in international markets. CBP representatives will be on-site at IPW this week at Brand USA’s booth to help answer questions and provide updates on trusted traveller programmes.

(Source: Brand USA)

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