Travel in 2026: from a tough start to a strong finish – what agents told us at ITAA
Last week, Travel Ledger joined members of the Irish Travel Agents Association in Salou on Spain’s Costa Daurada for the ITAA Annual Conference 2026. The theme was Turning change into opportunity, and it could hardly have been more fitting.
The Costa Daurada didn’t deliver its usual sunshine. It rained solidly from start to finish. But the mood among delegates was anything but grey.
A difficult first half of the year
The general consensus in Salou was clear: the start of 2026 was tough for everyone. Global uncertainty made customers more cautious about booking and travelling. Higher household costs meant less disposable income, and every booking decision took longer.
For agencies, that meant working harder for every sale and watching margins closely.
Late bookings changed the picture
Then the summer turned things around. Delegates described a strong surge in late bookings that gave business a real boost. Better still, that momentum has carried through September and October.
It was encouraging to hear so many agencies reporting the same story. Customers still want to travel. Many are simply deciding later.
What late booking means for supplier payments
Late booking brings its own pressures. More bookings arrive in shorter windows, and supplier payments often need to be made quickly. That puts extra strain on finance and operations teams, especially at month end.
It also raises a question we heard more than once: how do we make more from the bookings we already have?
Part of the answer sits in supplier payments. With TL Virtual Cards, agencies can pay eligible suppliers with greater control and clearer visibility, and earn cashback on eligible card payments where terms allow. Payments are visible within the Travel Ledger workflow, which makes reconciliation simpler.
In July 2026, airlines accounted for 39% of eligible TL Virtual Card supplier spend, cruise lines 30% and accommodation suppliers 22%. Those are categories most agencies already pay every week.
Themes from the conference
The programme reflected the conference theme throughout. Sessions covered how technology is changing the journey from enquiry to booking, the trends shaping the traveller of tomorrow and how businesses can prepare when the unexpected happens. A recurring thread asked where the industry will be by 2030.
The common message was practical. Change is constant, so the businesses that do well are the ones that adapt early and make every part of their operation work harder.
Thank you
Thank you to Tom Randles, President of ITAA, and the whole ITAA team for a superbly organised conference, and to the destination partners across the Costa Daurada for their hospitality, rain or no rain. It was great to catch up with familiar faces and meet so many new ones.
If we spoke in Salou, or if we didn’t get the chance, we’d love to continue the conversation.
Could your supplier payments work harder?
Find out what your supplier payments could be worth. Check your payment opportunity with Payment IQ, or speak to the team about TL Virtual Cards.
Cashback applies to eligible supplier card payments only and is subject to supplier acceptance, card eligibility, card type, category/interchange and commercial terms. Acceptance may vary by supplier, country and payment scenario. Travel Ledger and TL Pay Europe BV services are provided to business customers only. Certain account, card and electronic money services are provided by regulated third-party partners.