For the most part, travel shares have been an ASX loser in 2026.
Investors have grown increasingly concerned that persistent inflation, elevated interest rates and the ongoing conflict involving Iran will weigh on global travel demand.
Rising oil prices linked to tensions in the Middle East have also pushed up airline fuel costs and increased airfares, while higher borrowing costs and cost-of-living pressures have made consumers more cautious about discretionary spending such as holidays and business travel.
The conflict has also created broader uncertainty around global economic growth and disrupted some flight routes and travel patterns, prompting investors to reassess earnings expectations across the tourism and aviation sectors.
As a result, travel-related stocks have faced sustained selling pressure amid fears that demand could weaken further.
While the bear case is clear, these headwinds are likely to prove temporary if inflation moderates, interest rates begin to ease and geopolitical tensions stabilise over the medium term.
This has created a value opportunity for ASX travel shares.
While these headwinds are likely to persist in the short term, here are three options to consider for a long-term recovery.
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Qantas Airways (ASX: QAN)
Qantas shares currently sit close to a 52-week low.
They are now down more than 18% year to date.
While rising fuel costs are a threat to the bottom line this year, the airline's dominant market share that has made it a blue-chip stock remains unchanged.
As the Motley Fool's Samantha Menzies laid out last week, Qantas' market share, expanding offshore routes and AI adoption all are green flags for the company.
Brokers have placed an average price of $11.04 on Qantas shares.
From current levels, this indicates an upside of almost 30%.
Helloworld Travel (ASX: HLO)
Helloworld Travel is another example of heavily sold off travel shares.
Year to date, its share price is down roughly 25%.
The company consists of a wide array of travel brands across three key pillars of its business: retail, wholesale, and inbound.
Recent analysis from brokers indicates it also could be a long-term value play.
Recently, Shaw and Partners placed a buy rating on this ASX All Ords travel share with a 12-month target of $2.80.
This implies 95% upside.
Web Travel Group Ltd (ASX: WEB)
Web Travel Group could be another long-term focus amongst ASX travel shares.
Its share price has crashed almost 50% year to date.
However, it did report some solid 1H26 results recently:
- TTV up 22% on the prior corresponding period (PCP)
- Above guidance TTV margin
- WebBeds EBITDA up 21% on PCP
- Solid cash position with $481 million cash, $699 million available liquidity and a $200 million undrawn revolving credit facility.
12 analysts offering a one year forecast on these ASX travel shares have an average target of $5.21. This indicate more than 100% upside from the current share price of $2.44.
