Tourism Industry 2025: AI, Biometrics, and Digital Nomads Are Changing the Game

The spread of high-speed internet, the accessibility of cloud technologies, and the new generation's pursuit of a better work-life balance have fueled the digital nomad revolution. Today, a 40-million-strong army of mobile professionals is shaping a new paradigm of work and travel, where instant connectivity, personalisation, and seamless experiences are the norm.

To capture this entire generation of affluent travellers—whose contribution to the global economy reaches £594 billion annually (NewlandChase)—the industry must make AI solutions, biometrics, and other travel-tech innovations widely accessible. Achieving this, however, is impossible without reliable connectivity from cutting-edge eSIM providers like the global operator Yesim.

Numbers reshaping the industry

The scale of this transformation is reflected in concrete figures. The AI market in tourism was valued at £2.54 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach £10.46 billion by 2030—nearly a fourfold increase. Biometrics are being adopted even faster: in 2023 alone, the share of passengers using biometric systems at airports rose to 46%, up from 34% the previous year (PhotoAID).

The digital nomad segment is creating an entirely new economic reality. Globally, their numbers have reached 40 million, including 18 million in the U.S. Their average monthly spending is £1,420, generating a significantly greater economic impact for host countries compared to typical tourists.

A parallel revolution is underway in connectivity infrastructure. The eSIM market was valued at £7.79 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach £13.33 billion by 2033. By 2025, 60% of smartphones already support eSIM, and by 2030, the technology is expected to become standard on nearly all mobile devices.

AI Transformation: From Chatbots to Predictive Analytics

Artificial intelligence is reshaping the very nature of travel services. A recent Statista report shows that 80% of travellers are willing to use AI for trip planning and booking. The report also notes that in major travel agencies and airlines, up to 70% of customer interactions are already handled by AI-powered chatbots.

AI-driven dynamic pricing enables hotels and airlines to optimise operations in real time. For example, British Airways reduced boarding time for a full Boeing 777 to 22 minutes using biometric passenger flow systems. Hotels implementing AI solutions report an 18% increase in booking conversions.

A key point: 52% of travel companies plan to adopt AI personalisation in 2025, generating an additional £400 billion in value for the industry.

Biometrics: Combining Security with Convenience

Facial recognition is making air travel faster, more convenient, and safer. For instance, Spirit Airlines reduced check-in times by 30% and cut boarding duration at Los Angeles Airport by 50% through the implementation of a new biometric system.

But biometrics aren't limited to air travel. Hotels are starting to use Face ID for room access, biometric payments are gaining traction in restaurants and lounges, and personalised settings for temperature and lighting are being tailored based on guest recognition.

Privacy concerns, of course, remain. 61% of respondents worry about the storage of biometric data, and 63% are concerned about potential system failures. At the same time, 81% support using facial recognition for passport control, and 55% approve of its use for enhancing airport security.

Mobile Professionals: A New Economic Reality

The 40 million digital nomads aren't just tourists. They work, pay taxes (66% in their country of origin), contribute to infrastructure, and transform entire cities.

An interesting fact: most of them (66%) prefer to stay in one place for 3–6 months. This "slow travel" approach fosters deeper integration into the local economy—renting apartments instead of staying in hotels, shopping at local stores, and frequenting cafés and restaurants regularly.

Already, 60 countries have introduced special visas for these remote workers. Governments recognise that such travellers spend more than typical tourists, stay longer, don't burden social systems, and support local businesses.

eSIM: the invisible backbone of digital tourism

Behind the magic of new digital technologies lies their critical vulnerability: all these innovations—AI assistants, biometric systems, cloud office platforms—heavily rely on stable mobile connectivity. An AI assistant is useless without internet, biometric systems need cloud synchronisation, and video calls fail when the connection is unstable.

At the same time, traditional methods of staying connected abroad bring a host of challenges. Roaming packages are full of hidden pitfalls. Public Wi-Fi is often too slow and poses risks to personal data. Buying a local SIM card requires navigating confusing local tariffs in an unfamiliar language and prevents you from receiving important banking notifications.

All of these drawbacks are eliminated with eSIM technology. Technically, it's a microchip built into your device that can remotely receive and activate packages from different operators. No physical SIM cards, no waiting in store queues, no lost SIMs — you set up your connection at home in a relaxed environment. Simply download the app, choose a plan, and upon arrival, connect to the internet with a single click.

This is how Yesim works — one of the most popular international eSIM providers, serving over 1 million users.

Why Yesim Is the Perfect Choice for Digital Nomads

• Convenient plans and packages: You can choose a plan tailored to the country you're visiting or use a Global plan covering 80+ destinations (from £1.22 per GB) or 140+ destinations (from £2.45 per GB).
• All-in-one solution: For complete simplicity, opt for the Pay & Fly pay-as-you-go plan — one eSIM for any region, no need to install a new one each time, paying only for the data you actually use.
• Extensive coverage: A single eSIM works in 200+ destinations through over 800 operators, including 4G and 5G.
• Multiple eSIMs: Manage several eSIMs at once — perfect for travelling with colleagues or family. One account provides unified expense control and consolidated statistics.
• Expense control and ease of use: Once a profile is installed in the Yesim app, you can top up your balance and monitor data usage directly from the app.
• Easy activation and use: Download the Yesim app on iOS or Android at home without rushing, select your country plan, and activate it with a single tap at the airport. No need to insert or swap SIMs. Moving to another country requires just a few clicks to activate a new package.
• Automatic connection to the best network: If you have 3G/LTE but another operator offers 4G/5G coverage, Yesim automatically switches you to the better network.
• Trial package: If you're concerned about potential issues, you can test Yesim's eSIM before a major trip — 500 MB for 3 days costs only £0.45.

What This Means for the Industry

The travel industry in 2025 is like a modern glass skyscraper: AI assistants, biometric systems, and services for remote workers form the impressive visible structure. Yet every architect knows that without a solid foundation, even the most beautiful skyscraper will collapse. For tourism, that foundation is reliable mobile connectivity — invisible but absolutely essential infrastructure.

This is why eSIM technology has evolved from an option into a must-have infrastructure. Digital nomads, contributing nearly £800 billion to the global economy, choose destinations not for beach views but for connectivity quality. For newcomers to the technology, services like Yesim offer an easy entry point — new users can try the service using the promo code GETYESIM15 to get 15% off their first purchase.

Hotels without reliable connectivity lose customers, and destinations lacking modern network providers miss out on entire market segments. Competition has shifted from visible amenities to digital infrastructure, and those who recognised this first are the ones leading the way.