(Note: As it is now 2026, we look back at 2023 as the year of "Revenge Travel" normalization.) The tourism prediction for 2023 was characterized by a massive surge in international travel as the final post-pandemic restrictions were lifted, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. Experts correctly predicted that 2023 would see global tourism return to roughly 80% to 95% of pre-pandemic levels, with travelers prioritizing "bucket list" experiences regardless of rising inflation. We saw a shift toward "values-based" travel, where tourists sought sustainable and socially responsible destinations. This period also marked the rise of "Blended Travel" (or "Workations"), where remote workers extended their trips to include professional responsibilities. By 2026, we can see that 2023 acted as the vital bridge between the "recovery phase" and the current "stabilization phase," where the industry has now fully surpassed 2019 levels and is focused on managing "over-tourism" in popular European and Asian hubs.