Profound shifts in the global travel industry are underway, driven by climate change, biodiversity loss, overtourism, geopolitical volatility, and evolving traveler expectations. As the world welcomed 1.5 billion international tourists in 2025 and destinations confront mounting environmental and social pressures, tourism models must adapt to ensure long-term resilience. As a result, the industry’s growth trajectory over the next decade will look fundamentally different, says GlobalData, a leading intelligence and productivity platform.

Against this backdrop, the GlobalData Travel & Tourism team invites you to attend  “Soft Tourism: Travel with Intention” webinar on Wednesday, 11 March 2026, at 10am GMT/3:30pm IST.

During this webinar, GlobalData’s analystwill examine the rise of ‘soft tourism’, a meaningful travel trend reshaping how people experience destinations, discover the themes driving the growth of soft tourism, highlight changing traveler behavior and priorities, and define opportunities to attract tourists. The webinar will also explore how to enhance experiences, differentiate your brand and define real-world case studies to inspire your soft tourism offerings.

Shagun Sachdeva, Practice Head, Travel & Tourism at GlobalData, says: “Soft tourism is no longer a niche sustainability conversation, it is becoming a strategic imperative. Destinations that fail to balance growth with ecological preservation and community wellbeing risk long-term competitiveness and brand erosion.

As we mark World Wildlife Day, the urgency for tourism stakeholders to align with biodiversity protection and responsible travel practices has never been greater. Intentional travel models can unlock economic value while safeguarding the environment for future generations.”

The webinar will also assess how governments, urban planners, private operators, and technology providers are collaborating to build smart, connected, and responsible tourism ecosystems. With sustainability regulations tightening and traveler expectations shifting toward purpose-driven experiences, the evolution toward soft tourism is expected to accelerate through 2030.

Sachdeva concludes, “This shift to soft tourism will not be without friction. Economic trade-offs, fragmented governance, and credibility concerns must be addressed with transparency and coordination. Destinations that invest in regenerative practices, smart connectivity, and community-led ecosystems will strengthen resilience, build traveler trust, and secure sustainable competitive advantage in the decade ahead.”

Register now for GlobalData’s “Soft Tourism: Travel with Intention” webinar on Wednesday, 11 March 2026, at 10am GMT/3:30pm IST.