TTMA Presents: The State of the International Traveler

TTMA Presents: The State of the International Traveler

Event Overview

The September TTMA program, “The State of the International Traveler,” will bring together leaders across destination marketing, tourism economics, and travel research to examine the forces shaping international inbound travel demand today and what they mean for the future of the industry.

As traveler behavior continues to evolve, destinations and hospitality organizations are navigating shifting consumer priorities, changing international travel patterns, major global events, and an increasingly competitive travel landscape.

Through a series of expert presentations and industry perspectives, speakers will explore who is traveling, where they are coming from, what is driving travel decisions, and how destinations and hospitality businesses can position themselves to capture emerging opportunities.

Meet the Speakers

Chelsea Benitez

Senior Director of Research & Analytics, Brand USA

Chelsea Benitez will provide an international perspective on the current state of travel and the outlook for inbound tourism to the United States.

As Senior Director of Research & Analytics at Brand USA, Chelsea leads the vision and execution of tourism and travel research, transforming data into actionable insights on global travel behavior, industry trends, and emerging opportunities that inform Brand USA’s business and marketing strategies.

Her presentation may explore:

• 2026 visitation performance and forecast
• Destination search and booking trends among international travelers
• Traveler sentiment and factors influencing destination choice and travel demand
• Opportunities and challenges facing U.S. tourism in the current global environment

Kimberly Vince-Cruz

Chief Operating Officer, Future Partners

Kimberly Vince-Cruz, Chief Operating Officer at Future Partners, will provide a data-driven perspective on the current state of the international traveler, drawing from Future Partners’ recently released Annual Survey of the International Traveler.

This presentation will examine consumer behavior, preferences, motivations, and expectations among international travelers and provide insight into how those trends may shape future tourism demand.

Potential areas of focus include:

• Shifting perceptions of the United States, including the impact of major events
• The effects of U.S. policy on interest in visiting the United States
• AI adoption in travel planning
• A look into Los Angeles-oriented international travelers and how they compare to the average international traveler
• Opportunities for destinations, hotels, attractions, and tourism organizations

Wendy Kheel

Sr. Manager, Client Relations & Insights, Symphony, Tourism Economics

Wendy Kheel will present Tourism Economics’ analysis of the impact of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on the Los Angeles and San Francisco hotel markets.

This presentation will provide an economic perspective on how a major global sporting event translated into hotel performance.

Potential areas of focus include:

• Hotel performance during FIFA
• Changes in occupancy, ADR, and other key performance indicators
• What the FIFA experience reveals about event-driven tourism demand
• Lessons for destinations preparing for future global events
• Implications for hotels, tourism organizations, and destination marketers

What We’ll Explore

Together, the speakers will provide attendees with insight into:

• Current international travel demand and consumer behavior
• The state of international inbound travel and forecasts
• Emerging trends among international travelers
• Economic factors influencing tourism and hospitality performance

Event Details

Wednesday, September 16, 2026
11:00 AM–2:00 PM
The East Angel
Arts District, Downtown Los Angeles

Agenda

11:00 AM–12:00 PM
Registration + Networking Luncheon

12:00–2:00 PM
Speaker Presentations + Program

• Brand USA: The State of International Travel
• Future Partners: Understanding the International Traveler
• Tourism Economics: The Impact of the World Cup on Hotel Performance
• Industry Discussion + Q&A

About TTMA

Founded in 1971 as the Travel & Tourism Research Association and reorganized in 1997 as TTMA, the Travel & Tourism Marketing Association is a nonprofit 501(c)(6) membership organization comprised of travel marketing and tourism professionals spanning industry sectors.

TTMA brings together professionals across the Southern California travel and tourism community through educational programs, networking opportunities, and initiatives that foster connection, learning, and visibility across the industry.

Join us September 16 for an afternoon of research, insights, and conversation on the forces shaping the international traveler and the future of inbound tourism.