The news: AI, value, wellness, and Gen Alpha all factored prominently into a recent survey of international travelers in Mastercard’s Travel Trendline report, written in partnership with The Harris Poll.

AI. Travelers are leaning on AI to reduce the headache of budgeting and booking travel plans. 

• 73% of travelers in 11 countries who use AI for travel suggestions say their top concern is saving money for trips. 
• 33% said they would allow AI to spend up to $1,000 without approval—and 41% of solo travelers would sign off on that dollar amount.

Currency. Travelers are chasing affordability but are also open to  payment alternatives.

• 85% of international travelers said they would choose a travel destination based on favorable exchange rates. 
• 36% of respondents are comfortable with using cryptocurrency for travel and stays, and 39% are amenable to stablecoins.

Solo trips. Travelers are committed to going stag—35% would consider going alone on international adventures. 

• Although they’re traveling independently, these explorers are looking for connection, with 7 in 10 leisure travelers interested in meeting others through tours, shared boarding, or organized social events. 
• This crowd tends to be even more adventurous—84% are interested in “off-the-beaten-path or emerging destinations” compared with 78% of group travelers.

Wellness. Traveling for health benefits is popular.

• 23% have traveled for medical treatments or procedures, and 68% said they were interested in traveling for wellness services for anti-aging therapies, full-body diagnostics, or biomarker testing. 
• Tacking wellness activities onto an existing international business trip was also a popular choice: 25% of respondents desired adding on wellness activities after a conference or a client meeting.

Gen Alpha. Parents of Gen Alpha are letting their kids influence international travel destinations.

• 76% say their children have “significant input” over trips, compared with 59% of parents of other generations. 
• 85% of those parents give their kids veto power on destinations—way up from 48% of parents of other cohorts.

Implications for payment providers: Consumers turning to travel portals connected to issuers or other payment platforms are anticipating agentic solutions for their travel discovery and booking. Travel portals should emphasize the value consumers are getting on points or miles, as vacationers prioritize affordability during economic uncertainty.

Connect with current international travelers by striking up partnerships with hotels or accommodation providers that offer wellness program packages or activations, especially in locations that help their money go further after exchange rates.