Geopolitics and Climate Remap Gobal Travel at TTG Travel Experience 2026

By Massimo Terracina

Amid geopolitical instability, safety concerns, and climate shifts, global travel flows are rapidly changing. Gloria Armiri (IEG) explains how TTG Travel Experience addresses these market variables and why travel agencies and tour operators are regaining a central role.

More than ever, the geography of travel features blurred, rapidly shifting boundaries. Global tourist flows are redistributing under the pressure of complex factors, including climate change, political tensions, and security concerns.

“All of these elements,” explains Gloria Armiri, Group Exhibition Manager Tourism & Hospitality Division at Italian Exhibition Group (IEG), “directly influence decisions regarding where, when, and how people travel”.

A talk with Gloria Armiri

How much does geopolitics weigh on travelers' choices today? “Enormously, and I believe it has now become a true market variable. For years, we analyzed tourism flows primarily in terms of price, connectivity, and destination appeal. Today, an international crisis can rapidly shift demand from one destination to another and alter the perception even of places not directly involved. For travel professionals, this means interpreting global events with far greater speed and adaptability than in the past”.

Does uncertainty risk slowing down travel? “Not necessarily. I find this to be one of the most interesting aspects. Uncertainty doesn't automatically mean less tourism—it often leads to a different kind of tourism. People retain a strong desire to travel, but they change destination, timing, duration, and booking methods. In a more complex landscape, professionals who can guide, inform, and assist travelers become invaluable. This is why at TTG we highlight the renewed role of travel agencies and tour operators: when uncertainty rises, expertise and support become decisive factors”.

Is climate change also altering the travel landscape? “Yes, and we can no longer view it solely as a sustainability issue. It is becoming a key driver of destination competitiveness. Rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and shifting seasons alter when people travel and boost the appeal of regions with previously different market positioning. This shift presents challenges for some areas, but also opens new opportunities for others, particularly regarding deseasonalization—a transformation impacting the entire supply chain”.

Why did you decide to dedicate so much focus to these topics at TTG 2026? “Because an event like TTG cannot simply take a snapshot of the market as it is; it must help the industry understand where it is heading. We bring together businesses, destinations, institutions, universities, and experts. We will discuss geopolitics, safety, and climate alongside ASTOI and the Crisis Unit of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Our goal is not to predict the next crisis, but to equip the industry with the tools to navigate a changing world”.

Key Events at TTG Travel Experience

Several key sessions at the expo in Rimini will help map out the ongoing transformation of global travel:

• Wednesday, October 14 (Italy Arena): Keynote session “The World That Exists: Geopolitics as a Tool to Relaunch Travel Agencies and Tour Operators” by Marco Valigi, professor of International Relations, highlighting how rising self-travel uncertainties are driving travelers back to organized tourism.

• Thursday, October 15 (Astoi Hub): Panel discussion with the Crisis Unit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Farnesina), ASTOI, and the insurance industry on security and critical area management.

• Thursday, October 15 (Italy Arena): Session featuring Legambiente and ENIT exploring how climate disruption is changing destinations, seasonality, and consumer habits.

• Thursday, October 15 (Main Arena): Panel “Mediterranean: Together Towards 2030. Investments and Strategies Compared Across Destinations to Rethink the Present and Aim for New Goals”, focusing on Mediterranean strategies and spreading summer travel demand across the year.