PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic — During MarketHub Americas 2026, Olivier Ponti, Director of Market Intelligence & Insights at Amadeus, presented a comprehensive overview of global travel industry trends and the factors expected to shape traveler behavior in the months ahead.

Drawing on artificial intelligence and extensive travel data, Ponti explained how Amadeus analyzes market performance through travel searches, bookings, airline capacity, and traveler movements. He noted that Amadeus processes nearly 50% of the world's travel transactions, providing the company with a unique view of current and future demand.

Global Tourism Continues to Show Resilience

One of the key takeaways from the presentation was the travel industry's continued resilience. Despite geopolitical tensions, operational disruptions, and economic uncertainty, international air capacity during the first half of 2026 remained stronger than expected.

Looking ahead, Amadeus forecasts accelerated growth across several regions, particularly in the Americas, Africa, and Asia, while Europe continues to demonstrate strong intra-European and long-haul travel demand.

South America and the Caribbean Drive Regional Growth

Focusing on the Americas, Ponti identified South America as one of the strongest growth engines for the remainder of 2026. Both South America and the Caribbean are benefiting from improved air connectivity and robust regional demand.

The Dominican Republic, Brazil, and Argentina were highlighted among the markets making the strongest contributions to regional tourism growth, while Panama continues to strengthen its position as one of the continent’s leading aviation hubs.

Ponti also noted growing interest from European markets such as Portugal in Latin American and Caribbean destinations.

Business Travel and High-Value Visitors

Amadeus has observed a significant recovery in business travel across the Americas. Canada and Brazil currently lead major corporate travel flows into the region, while Mexico continues to gain importance as a business and investment destination.

According to Ponti, destinations should focus not only on attracting more visitors but on attracting travelers who generate greater economic value.

“The challenge is not simply to attract more travelers, but to attract the right travelers,” he said.

Argentina Leads in Premium Air Travel

Among the most notable findings, Ponti revealed that Argentina currently ranks first in the region for premium cabin sales on international flights, highlighting the growing demand for higher-value travel experiences.

He also pointed to increasing outbound demand from Asian markets including South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan, where travelers are showing a greater willingness to spend on premium tourism products.

Data-Driven Decisions for Future Growth

Ponti concluded by emphasizing the importance of market intelligence in tourism planning. He encouraged destinations, tourism boards, and travel companies to use data analytics to better understand traveler behavior, identify high-value source markets, and maximize return on investment.

As the Caribbean enters a new phase of post-pandemic growth, destinations such as the Dominican Republic are particularly well-positioned to benefit from stronger connectivity, tourism infrastructure, and diversified source markets.

“The key is not reaching everyone; it is identifying the markets that will bring the greatest value to a destination,” Ponti concluded.