Leisure travel is entering a powerful growth curve, driven by emerging-market demand, younger travelers, and shifting travel rituals, according to a new report by the Boston Consulting Group
Jun 26, 2025
BCG projects a dramatic surge in global leisure travel, forecasting total spending to more than triple—from about $5 trillion today to roughly $15 trillion by 2040. This boom is supported by fast-growing travel activity worldwide, especially from emerging economies, changing traveler profiles, and evolving preferences. The research incorporates trends from 2014‒2024 and survey data spanning 11 countries, offering a comprehensive view of where the industry is headed.
Key takeaways
Leisure travel spending set to skyrocket
- Spending is expected to grow at ~8% annually until 2029, then ~7% through 2040.
- Domestic travel leads the charge, jumping from ~$4.1 trillion to $11.7 trillion by 2040. Regional travel will increase from $0.71 trillion to $2 trillion, and international from $0.425 trillion to $1.4 trillion.
Emerging markets emerging as powerhouses
- Countries such as China, India, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, and others are driving most growth.
- In China, spending across domestic, regional, and international travel is projected to grow by ~10–11% annually
- India is expected to see domestic spending rise ~12% annually, with regional at ~8% and international at ~10%
Evolving traveler demographics & behaviors
- Millennials and Gen Z are dominant: they travel more, spend more, and seek different experiences.
- Solo travel is gaining mainstream appeal—18–39% of travelers report going alone.
- “Bleisure” (combining business and leisure) is now normal in many emerging markets—70%+ plan to mix travel types—versus 15–30% in the US/Europe
Destinations diversifying
- Traditional favorites—cities, beaches, nature—remain popular.
- Demand is now expanding into curated and purpose-driven offerings: wellness retreats, spiritual journeys, cultural adventures
- Example: Qatar and Saudi Arabia’s Qiddiya are using tech—AI, AR/VR, targeted marketing—to position themselves as next-gen travel hubs
Strategic implications for travel businesses
- Capitalize on rising domestic travel by enhancing local offerings and infrastructure.
- Engage digitally savvy younger travelers through mobile-savvy, socially conscious channels.
- Enable flexible travel types like solo, wellness, and bleisure to cater to evolving expectations.
- Use emerging tech—AI chatbots, VR previews, targeted messaging—to personalize the traveler journey.
Get the full report at The Boston Consulting Group
