74% of Travel Intermediaries Forecast Growth Despite Geopolitical…

Event summary

74% of travel intermediaries expect growth in 2026 despite geopolitical uncertainty, per WEX survey of 300 executives.
59% of executives see long-term growth tied to modernizing payment systems.
86% of leaders believe premium travel services stabilize margins during crises.
84% report increased risk of financial loss from supplier insolvency compared to 2025.

The big picture

The travel industry is navigating geopolitical instability by prioritizing digital payment modernization, with 74% of intermediaries still optimistic about growth. The shift toward premium travel and AI-driven automation reflects a broader trend of leveraging technology to offset external risks. WEX's survey highlights how financial agility is becoming a competitive differentiator in an uncertain market.

What we're watching

Payment Modernization: How quickly travel intermediaries adopt modern payment systems will determine their resilience against market volatility.
Premium Travel Demand: Whether luxury travel can sustain margin stability amid broader economic uncertainty.
Supplier Insolvency Risk: The pace at which chargeback frameworks improve to mitigate financial losses from supplier failures.