#travel-demand

#travel-demand

"We continue to see extraordinary demand for travel and experiences," Capuano told Yahoo! Finance. "It feels like a fundamentally permanent shift that consumers are prioritizing spending on travel and experiences versus purchase of hard goods." The hotel chain expects earnings growth in 2026, with revenue driven by adding rooms to its portfolio and higher co-branded credit card fees. While U.S. business was slightly weaker in the fourth quarter due to the government shutdown, Capuano says the fundamentals remain strong.

The U.S. Global Jets ETF (NYSEARCA:JETS) captures exposure to the global airline industry without picking individual carriers. The fund's 13.9% gain over the past year signals recovery momentum after pandemic devastation, though the 0.60% expense ratio means investors pay a premium for this specialized exposure compared to broad market funds. With $797.6 million in assets, the portfolio spans traditional carriers, aerospace manufacturers, and travel platforms.

Travel demand has soared back in the second half of the year, and that's good news for the economy at large, too, according to United Airlines' CEO. Scott Kirby told CNBC's "Squawk Box" on Tuesday that demand significantly improved at the beginning of July. "It was like a light switch coming on," he added. The summer travel period is key for airlines, while Labor Day and Thanksgiving are also significant revenue drivers.

"Gross bookings and revenue are now expected to grow 2% to 4% in 2025, down from the previously projected 4% to 6% growth in February."

Air France-KLM reported a significant loss of €249 million in Q1 2024, improving from over €500 million last year, attributed to rising travel demand.