2026 Summer Travel Stocks Complete Guide: What is the Investment Potential of Leading Tourism Stocks in Taiwan and the US?

Whenever summer approaches, travel stocks become the focus of investor attention. After the pandemic ended, the global travel market experienced a wave of revenge spending growth. Although the crowds have gradually subsided, travel prices remain high and have not yet fallen back. With the arrival of the 2026 summer peak season, travel stocks once again become a hot topic in the market. This article will analyze the investment logic of the tourism industry in depth and highlight leading travel stocks in Taiwan and the United States worth watching.

Post-Pandemic Travel Recovery: Why Are Tourism Stocks a Market Focus?

During the pandemic, many travel-related companies suffered severe damage, with some even declaring bankruptcy. However, as the pandemic ended, people’s enthusiasm for travel was reignited, leading to explosive crowds at tourist attractions. Although this initial enthusiasm has waned, high travel prices have not shown a significant decline.

A key turning point occurred in 2022. Global high inflation prompted many governments to raise interest rates, burdening many travel companies with heavy high-interest debt. Even though travel volume has recovered now, profits have not increased proportionally due to expanded equity and the pressure of high-interest debt.

But there is good news beyond the bad. Post-pandemic, consumers’ willingness to spend on travel has significantly increased. Many travel, accommodation, dining, and transportation service providers have taken the opportunity to raise prices. Since consumers have experienced a long period without travel, their price sensitivity has greatly decreased, leading them to accept higher prices. As high-interest debt is gradually paid off or replaced with low-interest borrowing in a lower-rate environment, tourism stocks are poised for explosive profit growth.

Core Investment Logic of Travel Stocks: Revenue vs. Profit

Before investing in travel stocks, it is crucial to understand a key difference: Most companies in the travel industry are rarely solely engaged in travel business. Hotels can host tour groups or be used for business meetings; airlines can carry passengers or cargo. Therefore, investors need to pay attention to the “proportion of revenue from the travel segment” to accurately assess the growth potential related to the travel industry.

Due to the obvious seasonality of the tourism industry, revenue differences between peak and off-peak seasons are significant. To estimate future profits, investors can analyze from several dimensions:

First, cash flow expectations: Most travel companies have already indicated that summer bookings are full, and revenue can be recognized once these trips commence.

Second, room rate increase potential: According to major travel companies, bookings for 2025-2026 are nearly full, and room and cruise prices are expected to further rise in 2026.

Third, debt pressure easing: Calculating the scale of maturing high-interest debt shows that once these debts are paid off and no longer accrue interest, profits will improve significantly.

Combining these three factors, if revenue is expected to grow substantially next year compared to this year, the investment outlook for travel stocks could be very promising.

Taiwan Tourism Stocks: Growth Differences Between Wang Pin and Regent

Among Taiwan’s tourism stocks, Wang Pin (2727.TW) is a leading player but mainly operates in the restaurant sector. Since most Taiwanese consumers dine regularly, Wang Pin is less affected by seasonal fluctuations in tourism.

In contrast, Regent (2707.TW), as a chain hotel operator, better exemplifies the characteristics of travel stocks. Highlights of Regent’s investment include:

• Diverse room offerings: From backpacker inns to five-star hotels, catering to different consumer segments
• Stable high occupancy rates: Long-term high hotel occupancy and rising room rates
• Steady restaurant revenue: Strengthened restaurant operations during the pandemic, with ongoing growth
• Accelerating expansion: Continuous opening of new hotels to further increase revenue base

If investors are confident in the Taiwanese market, Regent is a travel stock worth continuous attention.

In-Depth Comparison of the Seven Major U.S. Travel Stocks

Compared to Taiwan, the U.S., as the world’s most capital-dense market, has more world-class travel companies. U.S. travel stocks also have larger profit scales and growth potential. Many Taiwanese already use these companies’ services when booking hotels or traveling. Here are the seven U.S. travel stocks worth noting:

Booking Holdings Inc. (BKNG) — The Complete Ecosystem of Online Travel Booking

Booking owns well-known brands like Booking.com, Agoda, Priceline, Kayak, etc. Its strategic approach is similar to Procter & Gamble (PG), launching multiple brands to capture diverse global consumer booking needs.

The company’s revenue mainly comes from three channels: agency commissions (hotel fees), merchant revenue (Booking purchases hotel rooms and resells at a profit margin), and advertising. Over 90% of revenue comes from agency and merchant channels.

CEO Glenn Fogel has stated plans to introduce “Connected Trip” experiences using AI, allowing users to plan entire trips more easily. As AI integration deepens, BKNG’s future profit space will further expand.

Airbnb (ABNB) — Leader in the Sharing Economy

Unlike Booking, which collaborates with traditional operators, Airbnb operates via a C2C model, enabling ordinary homeowners to offer accommodations directly to travelers. According to Airbnb data, hosts worldwide earn an average of $9,600 annually, creating a true win-win.

Compared to traditional hotels, Airbnb listings are more affordable. The platform’s data shows an average global price of about $67 per night, lower than most hotels. Staying in local homes also offers deeper cultural experiences.

Airbnb’s core strength lies in “matching” and “customer service.” Through user reviews, insurance mechanisms, and big data optimization, the platform effectively addresses safety, hygiene, and privacy concerns. Since anyone with a spare room can become a potential supplier, Airbnb’s growth potential exceeds that of traditional booking sites.

Disney (DIS) — Dual Engines of IP Value and Streaming Business

Disney is not only a theme park operator but also actively invests in quality content production, similar to Netflix. With abundant IP resources, successful IPs can be monetized across movies, sequels, merchandise, and theme park experiences.

From 2010 to 2020, Disney’s growth was mainly driven by movies and parks, while advertising revenue declined. The company has invested in its streaming platform Disney+. Although the travel business has not yet shown outstanding performance, the streaming segment has turned profitable. In the current environment, Disney’s low point may be a good entry point for investors.

Royal Caribbean (RCL) and Carnival (CCL) — The Polarization of the Cruise Industry

Carnival and Royal Caribbean are the two giants of the cruise industry, but their strategies differ significantly.

CCL focuses on “mass-market cruises,” emphasizing passenger volume and ticket revenue. Its revenue structure mainly relies on ticket sales, with limited onboard spending.

RCL targets high-end customers, with higher onboard spending per passenger and better profit margins. Its revenue structure includes more income from onboard consumption such as dining, entertainment, and shopping.

Both benefit from rising travel expenditure and cruise ticket prices. As hotel and airline prices soar, more consumers turn to cruises. Cruises are also favored by older travelers, aligning with global aging trends. While both benefit, RCL’s higher-margin structure and customer quality suggest greater growth potential.

Marriott International (MAR) — The Largest Hotel Group’s Expansion

Founded in 1927 by John Willard Marriott and his wife Alice Sheets Marriott, Marriott has grown into the world’s largest hotel group, covering luxury, upscale, and business segments.

With global travel expenditure expected to rise, Marriott has increased room rates accordingly. Latest data shows global RevPAR (revenue per available room) up 4.2% annually, with 46,000 new rooms added in 2023.

If viewed as a “global Regent,” Marriott’s growth space is even broader, with diversified geographic risks. For investors optimistic about the tourism industry, Marriott is a long-term hold-worthy travel stock.

Sands Group (LVS) — Beneficiary of High-End Asian Tourism

Sands operates luxury resorts and casinos in Macau and Singapore. The company remains optimistic about future revenue growth.

Macau prospects: Tourism demand in Greater China is recovering, and Macau, as a traditional tourist destination, is expected to regain popularity.

Singapore opportunities: As Singapore aims to become Asia’s financial hub after Hong Kong, large capital inflows and visitor numbers are rising.

Based on these developments, Sands plans to increase investments in Singapore and Macau to further strengthen its leadership in Asia’s high-end tourism market.

Risks to Consider When Investing in Travel Stocks

Investors must recognize the unique risks facing the industry. During the pandemic, many hotels and airlines declared bankruptcy, illustrating the destructive impact of infectious diseases. Therefore, pandemic or other major infectious disease risks remain potential threats to travel stocks.

Additionally, travel stocks exhibit obvious seasonality. While stock prices may not rise during peak seasons, indicators such as booking volume, amount, and popularity can help assess future performance. For example, RCL recently indicated that bookings for 2025-2026 are nearly full, suggesting cruise prices may further increase in 2026.

To estimate future profits more precisely, investors can roughly calculate “this year’s revenue × expected ticket price increase.” For more accuracy, they should also consider the scale of maturing high-interest debt—once these debts are paid off, the company can save on interest expenses, significantly improving profitability.

As consumer spending expectations for travel continue to rise, industry profits may increase year by year, but only if investors accurately assess the risks and opportunities involved.

Summary

Summer 2026 is approaching, and many are already planning their vacations. Whether surfing at the beach or escaping to the mountains, investors can turn travel-related stocks into investment gains. Companies like Regent and Wang Pin in Taiwan, and Booking, Airbnb, Disney, cruise lines, Marriott, Sands in the U.S., are all worth watching.

Choosing travel stocks that match your investment style allows you to participate in the post-pandemic tourism recovery story and enjoy the industry growth during the upcoming peak travel season.