In this commentary, Lisa Simon, CEO/Executive Director of the International Inbound Travel Association, reflects on the optimism and challenges discussed at IPW. While international visitation faces hurdles, she emphasizes the importance of advocacy, readiness and exceptional visitor experiences as the U.S. prepares for major global events.
Leisure group travel contributed $39 billion to the U.S. economy in 2024 and supported more than 515,000 jobs, yet it was relegated to an “adjacent segment” in a major industry report—highlighting a costly blind spot for destinations that continue to overlook this high-value market.
In the first installment of our series on Mastering Supplier Excellence, we look at what tour suppliers need to know when it comes to hiring a group sales manager. A must-read for hotels, attractions and DMOs looking to build their group business.
The 2026 Student Travel Planning Guide is now available, offering fresh insights into emerging destinations, experiential learning trends and innovative trip-planning tools. This all-digital edition helps educators, administrators and planners design meaningful, curriculum-driven student travel experiences while showcasing top student-friendly offerings from destinations across the country.