Why the Experience Economy is Entering a Golden Age: Insights from Mastercard’s 2026 Research

For the first time in the digital age, we are seeing a collective unplugging.

We no longer value our time based on the gadgets we own or the content we stream, but on the memories we make and the air we breathe.

New research released today by Mastercard in partnership with Trend Hunter, confirms that Europe has officially entered a golden age for the Experience Economy. As people look to trade their screens for sunshine, the pressure is on experience providers to ensure the digital gateway to the physical world is as seamless as the experience itself.

The Data

Mastercard’s study of 27,000 Europeans reveals a significant pivot in spending habits. Consumers are no longer just interested in experiences, they are actively defunding their digital lives to afford them.

• Experience over 'Stuff': 46% of Europeans are now willing to spend less on technology, gadgets, and streaming services to prioritise leisure activities.

• The Great Outdoors: Outdoor experiences have claimed the #3 spot for the most wanted activities this summer, with 69% of respondents looking to engage in outdoor experiences.

• Economic Growth: Data from the Mastercard Economics Institute shows that the share of spending on experiences (excluding travel) rose to 20.4% last year, up from 19.9% in 2024.

When Tech Gets in the Way

While the demand for in-person moments is skyrocketing, there is a hidden hurdle: The Booking Experience. If a consumer has decided to spend less time on their phone, the last thing they want is to spend 15 minutes struggling with a clunk booking form. The technology facilitating these moment is as important as the experience itself.

Sailia: The Booking Software for the Experience Economy

At Sailia, we built our platform specifically to be the engine that powers the experience economy. We believe that booking software must be fast, innovative, and intuitive:

• Seamless, Mobile-First Bookings

Sailia provides a frictionless checkout experience that looks beautiful on any device, ensuring your customers go from searching to booked in seconds.

• Eradicating Manual Admin

Your team should be focused on delivering world-class experiences, not tethered to a desk managing spreadsheets. Sailia automates the heavy lifting, from real-time availability updates to automated waivers, digital check-ins and smart staffing allocation, eradicating hours of manual admin every day.

• Revenue, POS, and Reporting

We ensure revenue flows fast by connecting every part of your financial ecosystem. With integrated Point of Sale (POS) for walk-ins, robust accounting integrations with Xero and Quickbooks, and real-time reporting, you get a 360-degree view of your business performance. No more reconciling disparate systems at the end of a busy weekend; just clear, actionable data.

• Global Discoverability via OTA Integrations

In a world full of people searching for their next adventure, you need to be where they are looking. Sailia’s OTA integrations provide real-time availability across multiple channels (like Adventuro, GetYourGuide, and TripAdvisor). This gives you maximum discoverability without the risk of overbooking, as your inventory is synced instantly across every platform.

Sailia: Meeting the Moment

The demand for in-person moments is higher than ever. As customers trade their algorithms for adventures, Is your booking software living up to the hype?

👉 Learn how Sailia can transform your daily operations!