Trip.com Group has outlined its vision for the future of global travel, unveiling new AI-powered innovations, strategic partnerships, and tourism initiatives during its Envision 2026 Global Partner Conference in Shanghai.
The annual event brought together more than 3,500 industry stakeholders from 78 countries and regions, including tourism boards, airlines, hotels, travel operators, and content creators to discuss emerging opportunities shaping the travel sector.
Global Travel Continues to Grow
Speaking at the conference, Trip.com Group CEO Jane Sun highlighted the resilience of the tourism industry, which contributed an estimated USD11.6 trillion to global GDP in 2025.
The company also reported strong business performance, with bookings on its international online travel platforms increasing by 60% year-on-year. Outbound hotel and flight bookings have surpassed pre-pandemic levels, reflecting continued demand for international travel.
Trip.com identified three major trends shaping the industry which is the discovery of emerging destinations, growing demand for diverse travel experiences, and an increase in longer, more immersive journeys.
AI Driving the Next Phase of Travel
A key focus of Envision 2026 was the role of artificial intelligence in improving travel experiences and business operations.
Trip.com showcased AI-powered tools across its platforms, including personalised hotel booking features, intelligent airline solutions, automated corporate travel approvals, and creator matching systems that help tourism businesses connect with relevant audiences.
The company said AI will continue to play a larger role in helping travellers make faster decisions while enabling partners to improve efficiency and customer engagement.
Expanding Partnerships and China Tourism
The conference also saw the announcement of new partnerships, including collaborations with Tourism Tasmania and Visa, aimed at enhancing travel experiences and supporting tourism growth.
At the same time, Trip.com highlighted growing international interest in China as a travel destination. In 2025, the company served more than 20 million inbound travellers through its platforms.
Its Free City Tours programme has already welcomed over 30,000 international visitors across destinations including Shanghai, Beijing, Hong Kong, and Shenzhen, supported by multilingual service centres at major transport hubs.
Looking Ahead
Trip.com said its future investments will focus on three key areas: AI-driven travel services, combining technology with human-centred support, and strengthening its position as a trusted global travel platform.
As international travel continues to recover and evolve, the company believes innovation, partnerships, and sustainable growth will remain essential in shaping the next chapter of the tourism industry.
Learn More
For more information about Trip.com Group and its travel services, visit www.trip.com.
