Tourism Industry Report: Multi-Day Tours Roar Back with Arival’s Strategic Insights
Global Tourism Landscape & Multi-Day Tour Growth
The global travel and tourism sector is experiencing a strong rebound, showing remarkable resilience after the challenges of the pandemic. Global tourism spending is projected to approach USD 15 trillion in 2024, with an average annual growth rate of around 6 percent forecasted through 2031. In the Asia–Pacific region, the pace is even faster, averaging nearly 8 percent annual growth.
One of the fastest-growing segments of this recovery is multi-day tours. These immersive, multi-day experiences allow travelers to connect deeply with destinations, combining guided convenience with cultural exploration. Back in 2019, global sales for multi-day tours hovered around USD 89 billion. While travel saw an abrupt pause during the pandemic, the segment has bounced back stronger than ever. Industry reports indicate a yearly growth rate exceeding 26 percent, with revenue reaching USD 12.1 billion in 2024.
This rise highlights a permanent shift in travel behavior. Today’s travelers crave meaningful, well-organized experiences rather than quick, single-day getaways. From curated group adventures to personalized itineraries, multi-day tours are becoming the preferred choice for those seeking depth and value in their journeys.
Arival’s Leadership: The OTA Guide & Specialized Multi-Day Track
To help industry professionals harness this growth, Arival has launched a comprehensive guide spotlighting over 50 online travel agencies (OTAs) focused solely on multi-day and custom travel. The guide categorizes platforms into three key types:
- Package Tour OTAs – Platforms that offer scheduled group departures and ready-to-book itineraries, ideal for travelers seeking simplicity.
- Custom Trip OTAs – Agencies that design tailor-made journeys, connecting travelers with local experts for unique, personalized adventures.
- Specialty OTAs – Platforms catering to niche travel segments such as sustainable tourism, adventure, cycling, or wellness-focused experiences.
This guide is paired with the introduction of a dedicated Multi-Day Tours Track at Arival 360 in Washington, DC, scheduled for September 30 to October 3, 2025. This event promises to gather tour operators, technology providers, and marketers for workshops, panels, and networking sessions that dive deep into distribution strategies, marketing techniques, and operational technologies tailored to multi-day experiences.
The event aims to position operators for long-term success in a competitive market. Participants will engage in collaborative discussions, explore case studies, and gain actionable strategies for optimizing their presence in this growing sector.
Key Insights for Operators
Arival’s guide is more than a directory; it serves as a strategic playbook for operators entering or expanding in the multi-day space. The report recommends careful evaluation in several areas:
- Commercial Terms: Understand commission rates, typically between 15 and 20 percent, along with payment and cancellation policies.
- Reputation: Check reviews from industry peers and customers to gauge an OTA’s credibility and reliability.
- Direct Engagement: Communicate with OTA teams to assess their responsiveness and support levels.
- Booking Performance: Verify an OTA’s track record by reviewing case studies, partner referrals, or traffic analytics to ensure they generate real value.
Additionally, Arival provides a glossary of key terms for operators new to the multi-day market, ensuring clarity as businesses navigate this evolving landscape. Importantly, the directory focuses exclusively on OTAs specializing in multi-day experiences, excluding single-day activity platforms and generic package holidays.
Why Multi-Day Tours Matter
Multi-day tours address a growing desire for stress-free, curated travel. They combine expert planning, deep cultural immersion, and logistical convenience. This makes them appealing to a wide range of travelers—solo adventurers seeking community, families desiring structured itineraries, or luxury travelers pursuing bespoke experiences.
The broader recovery of the travel industry further amplifies this opportunity. Domestic lodging nights are expected to rise sharply through 2030, and international travel is rapidly approaching pre-pandemic levels. By integrating multi-day offerings, operators can capitalize on travelers’ willingness to invest in meaningful, extended experiences.
The Future of Multi-Day Travel
Looking ahead, the trajectory of multi-day tours shows no signs of slowing. Travelers are prioritizing immersive, story-driven journeys over transactional sightseeing. This evolution is fueling innovation across the sector, with technology platforms enabling greater personalization and distribution efficiency.
Arival’s resources—its comprehensive OTA guide, glossary, and industry events—equip operators with the tools to adapt and thrive. As consumer preferences lean toward authentic, curated travel experiences, multi-day tours are emerging as the compass guiding the next era of global tourism.
Bottom Line
What was once a niche offering has evolved into a central pillar of the travel industry’s growth strategy. Multi-day tours are now shaping traveler expectations, blending convenience with depth, and fostering memorable connections with destinations.
For operators, this moment presents a unique chance to innovate and scale. By leveraging Arival’s insights, tools, and networking opportunities, businesses can stay ahead of the curve, building stronger relationships with travelers and setting themselves apart in a rapidly expanding market.
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