Tourism buyers more cautious

International

The latest Global Travel Buyer Index by ITB Berlin and Dr. Fried & Partner offers a more cautious assessment of the current procurement market and dampens expectations for the coming months.

During the second quarter of 2026 and compared with the previous survey, both the assessment of the current market situation and expectations for the coming months were less optimistic.

Global Travel Buyer Index: Tourism buyers offer a more cautious assessment of the market situation (c) Dr. Fried & Partner

The GTBI is based on a quarterly survey of international buyers from the ITB Buyers Circle and serves as an industry indicator for tourism procurement. It offers an insight into current procurement activities, expectations for the next six months and the general trend of the travel market from the perspective of professional buyers.

In May 2026, the Current Situation Index fell to 71 points, down from 84 points in February 2026. According to the survey, 36 per cent of respondents reported a year-on-year increase in procurement volume over the past six months, 27 per cent saw no change and 37 per cent registered a decline. The administrative involvement associated with procurement remained high: 53 per cent of respondents said this had increased, 36 per cent reported no change and 11 per cent recorded a decline.

Expectations for the coming six months were also less optimistic. The Future Expectation Index dropped to 72 points from 88 in February 2026. Looking ahead, 33 per cent of respondents expected procurement volume to rise, 37 per cent anticipated no change, and 30 per cent foresaw a decline. At the same time, 51 per cent expected the administrative involvement to increase.

Overall, the Global Travel Buyer Index fell to 71 points in May 2026. The findings indicate weaker tourism procurement and suggest growing uncertainty in the international travel market. Possible factors include ongoing geopolitical tensions, a generally cautious economic outlook and persistent cost and planning uncertainties.

A total of 92 tourism buyers took part in the May 2026 survey. The majority of respondents are responsible for the source markets of Germany, Europe and Asia, while others participants cover North America, South America, Africa, Oceania or all source markets to an equal extent. Procurement is focused primarily on hotels, DMCs and providers of activities, events and transfer services.