Global tourism expansion: international travel overtakes domestic markets

Global overnight stays are projected to increase from 27.4 billion in 2023 to 38.7 billion by 2030, with the growth of the travel market increasingly driven by individuals crossing borders rather than remaining within their home countries.

As travel becomes more affordable, international trips are no longer regarded as a “once-in-a-lifetime” experience but are evolving into a recurring leisure expenditure choice. This trend is particularly evident in regions such as Southeast Asia and Eastern Europe, where the expansion of the middle class and rising disposable incomes are strengthening demand for international experiences. Consequently, the base of travelers is gradually expanding, with more people gaining the ability to explore destinations beyond their national borders.

According to estimates by McKinsey & Company, organized and paid tourism activities account for approximately one quarter of global spending on experiences, leaving considerable room for further growth. At the same time, the travel industry has become more effective at converting demand into actual trips. The expansion of route networks, multilingual digital platforms, and intensified price competition have reduced the practical barriers to cross-border mobility. As a result, international travel is now far more accessible than in the past.

Low-cost aviation plays a particularly decisive role. Increased competition among airlines, network expansion, and the steady growth of so-called “megahubs” are enhancing connectivity, especially for destinations that were previously outside the main aviation corridors. This is further reinforced by the convenience offered by digital platforms and mobile-based trip planning. Compared to a decade ago, the barrier to booking an international journey has declined dramatically: travelers can compare options, review entry requirements for a country, and organize their entire itinerary within minutes. Connectivity constitutes the infrastructure that makes international travel possible. The 2025 Megahub rankings by OAG highlight how competitive and strategically distributed global aviation networks have become, with a clearly defined leading group of airports supporting intercontinental flows. Istanbul Airport (IST) ranks first in terms of both total flight connections and destinations served, with 82,733 connections and 327 destinations. It is followed by major European hubs such as Frankfurt Airport (73,221 connections, 307 destinations) and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (66,798 connections, 275 destinations).