Holafly Report Shows Travelers Shifting to eSIMs
Holafly's Global eSIM & Travel Report 2026-2027 finds rising eSIM adoption, frequent international trips, and growing use of AI travel tools.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Travel — General
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Holafly released the Global eSIM & Travel Report 2026-2027, which surveyed travelers on how they connect, plan and make decisions on trips abroad. The report finds 29% of travelers now use an eSIM as their primary means of staying connected abroad, up from 17% in 2025.
Why it matters
The findings point to mobile connectivity becoming a standard part of international travel rather than an add-on. Growth in combined business and leisure trips and AI-assisted planning also shows how travelers are changing the way they prepare for and move through trips.
Holafly's survey shows eSIM primary use rose from 17% in 2025 to 29% now, while 16% still depend on traditional Wi-Fi abroad. The report does not detail its sample size, respondent countries or survey methodology.
The players
Holafly
Holafly is a travel connectivity company that sells eSIM data plans for international travelers.
The details
Holafly's report finds 71% of travelers combine business and leisure on the same trip and 98% want to stay online while abroad. Almost three-quarters of respondents have used AI tools to organize travel, and 44% use them frequently for navigation, translation and itinerary planning.
Timeline
2025: Baseline year when 17% of travelers used an eSIM as their primary connection abroad.
2026-2027: Period covered by the Holafly Global eSIM & Travel Report.
Travel Outlook
The rise of eSIM technology as a replacement for physical SIM cards in international roaming is reflected in the report's jump from 17% to 29% primary use among travelers. The shift suggests mobile data access abroad is moving toward being a routine part of trip planning rather than a separate purchase.
Travelers planning international trips may want to compare eSIM data plans with roaming or Wi-Fi options before departure. The report's finding that 98% want to stay online abroad suggests reliable connectivity should be settled before the trip begins.
The takeaway
The report suggests reliable mobile connectivity is becoming an expected part of international travel, with eSIMs gaining ground fast. Travelers who set up data access before departure may avoid connectivity gaps once they arrive.
Further reading
Explore more on Travel — General for related coverage of how travelers plan and connect on international trips.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Travolution.
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