Global Travel & Tourism Deal Volume Slips in 2026
Alexandra
This article reveals the key patterns and implications of a 5% year-on-year decline in global travel and tourism deal activity in 2025.
Overview of 2025 deal trends in travel and tourism
Global deal activity across the travel and tourism sector — including M&A, private equity and venture financing — fell by approximately 5% in 2025 compared with 2024. This moderation reflects broader economic headwinds and a more cautious investor stance, although significant regional variations persisted.
Aurojyoti Bose, Lead Analyst at GlobalData, noted that the decline signals ongoing uncertainty that has dampened deal-making momentum, yet localized pockets of resilience still exist across major markets.
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Regional performance at a glance
| Region | 2025 vs 2024 | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Asia-Pacific | -4% | Moderate slowdown; major markets mixed |
| Europe | -17% | Sharper decline amid economic and geopolitical pressures |
| North America | +8% | Growth driven by key market recoveries in US and Canada |
| Middle East & Africa | ~0% | Relatively stable deal volumes |
| South & Central America | ~0% | Little overall change year-on-year |
Country-level nuances
Certain national markets diverged from regional trends. The US and Canada recorded higher deal volumes in 2025, supporting the overall North American uplift. Conversely, heavyweights such as India, China, Spain and Germany reported declines. Other mature markets — including the UK, Japan and Australia — remained largely flat compared to 2024.
Deal-type dynamics
Breaking performance down by deal type highlights shifts in investor risk appetite.
- Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A): Activity remained broadly stable, suggesting strategic consolidation continues where scale and synergies are clear.
- Venture financing: Deal volume decreased by about 21%, reflecting more selective early-stage investment and higher hurdles for consumer-facing travel startups.
- Private equity: Transactions declined by roughly 28%, tied to constrained capital deployment and recalibrated return expectations.
What drove the slowdown?
Several cross-cutting factors helped shape the 2025 picture: persistent macroeconomic uncertainty, tightened financing conditions, and rising caution among strategic and financial buyers. Geopolitical risks and inflationary pressures in parts of Europe further reduced appetite for large-scale transactions. At the same time, pockets of opportunity persisted where markets showed resilience or where assets offered clear post-pandemic growth potential.
Historical context and short-term outlook
Deal activity in travel and tourism has historically tracked broader cycles in global capital markets and consumer demand. The recovery phase after the pandemic saw bursts of investment as hospitality, airlines and experiential travel rebounded. The 5% decline in 2025 represents a moderation from the rapid rebound years, but not a structural collapse; rather, it is consistent with the intermittent corrections common in capital markets.
Looking forward, a cautious forecast suggests:
- Stability or modest recovery in M&A as strategic buyers seek scale and operational efficiencies.
- Gradual return of private equity and venture capital as inflation and interest-rate pressures ease and as proven business models re-emerge.
- Geographic divergence to persist: North America and select resort economies may outpace Europe and some parts of Asia while risk-sensitive regions lag.
Implications for coastal tourism, marinas and yacht-related businesses
The travel and tourism investment slowdown has distinct implications for marine and yacht-related sectors — including charters, marinas, and waterfront hospitality.
Short-term impacts
- Capital-sensitive projects such as new marina developments or luxury waterfront resorts may face longer timelines as financing conditions tighten.
- Early-stage businesses in nautical tech, booking platforms or innovative charter models could see reduced venture funding, shifting the emphasis to revenue-driven growth and partnerships.
- Established players in yacht sales, superyacht brokerage and boat rental may experience stable demand, but expect more scrutiny on valuations and acquisition prices.
Opportunities for the boating and charter market
Even in a softer deal market, opportunities emerge for buyers and operators that can demonstrate resilient cash flow or niche appeal. Examples include boutique charters, experiential yachting products, and marina upgrades that enhance servicing for superyachts and recreational sailors. Regions with strong domestic demand — coastal resorts, island destinations, and popular lakes — can attract targeted investments for activities such as fishing excursions, sailing schools, and boat rentals.
| Sector | Likely 2025–26 Trend | Investment Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Marinas | Selective growth | Berthing capacity, dredging, services for superyachts |
| Charter & Boat Rental | Resilient demand | Digital booking, fleet optimization, captain services |
| Yacht Sales & Brokerage | Valuation pressure | After-sales, maintenance & refit services |
Practical guidance for stakeholders
Operators, investors and destination managers can respond proactively:
- Prioritize assets with steady cash flow and low capital burn.
- Enhance digital channels and partnerships to capture charter and rental demand.
- Invest in service quality at marinas to attract higher-yielding superyacht and boat owners.
- Consider staged investments or joint ventures to reduce exposure while preserving upside.
Regional strategies
In North America, investors may pursue opportunistic acquisitions where demand recovery is clearer. In Europe and parts of Asia, the emphasis may shift to operational improvements and selective divestments. For resort and coastal destinations, aligning infrastructure upgrades with sustainable boating and yachting practices can preserve long-term appeal to sailors, anglers and luxury charter clients.
In summary, 2025 brought a modest contraction in global travel and tourism deal activity, with a complex mix of regional winners and losers and clear differences by deal type. While venture and private equity slowed, M&A remained steady, indicating continued strategic interest where returns are visible. For the boating and maritime leisure sector, the environment favors well-capitalized operators and pragmatic investment in marinas, charters and related services.
GetBoat remains a useful resource for those tracking how these trends affect yacht and boat charter markets. As an international marketplace for renting sailing boats and yachts, GetBoat.com can help owners, captains and holidaymakers navigate changing demand for yacht charter, boat rent, marinas and coastal activities across beach, lake and open-sea destinations; it offers options spanning small boats to superyacht charters, useful for adapting to shifting investment and tourism patterns.
