D/R DOWNLOAD 3.14
What’s Trending
01/ On Google
“Amtrak vacation packages” trended +110% this week, likely driven by the launch of the new Floridian route and the return of the Winter Park Express Service, both of which have sparked interest in scenic travel offerings.
02/ With Media
This week, media were interested in this spring’s most exciting openings, hotels offering perks to repeat guests, luxe hotels offering a similar vibe to Four Seasons Koh Samui, Thailand, travel expert insights on all-inclusive travel, and more.
03/ In the Zeitgeist
A recent TikTok trend, inspired by Jennae Cecelia's poem, encourages users to imagine having coffee with their younger selves, a therapeutic practice allowing individuals to acknowledge their personal growth while turning nostalgia into empowerment.
Industry Insights
Tour operators have embraced AI to uncover travel trends, automate bookings, and streamline operations. From generating itineraries to customer insights, AI is reshaping the industry, making planning faster and more efficient.
Top travel specialists predict 2025 will bring a rise in nocturnal tourism, luxury rail-and-sail experiences, intimate multi-gen trips, and immersive safaris, as well as trend toward less-explored destinations, all while embracing new ways to explore more tailored itineraries.
"Resort core,” or high-end hotel branded merchandise, is on the rise as hotels worldwide embrace this marketing strategy, offering travelers exclusive products only available in their lobbies.
A TikTok trend promoting sunrise and sunset views at Mam Tor in the Peak District of the UK has led to serious parking congestion, blocking entry for emergency and maintenance services. The trend, known as the 'Mam Tor Challenge,’ led local authorities to consider measures from increased fines, improved signage, and additional parking to resolve the issue.
Spring breakers are setting their sights on Los Cabos, Costa Rica, the Caribbean, Japan, and Amsterdam, making them the most-searched destinations for 2025. Tropical landscapes and cultural hotspots are drawing travelers in, as adventure and relaxation top the list for this year’s travel plans.
To commemorate Disneyland’s 70th anniversary celebration, the park is offering discounted theme park admissions as low as $100 a day for visits May 16 through August 14.
The European Union has postponed the launch of its European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) until late 2026. This system will require travelers from visa-exempt countries, including the U.S., to obtain online authorization before visiting Schengen Area countries.
Airline travel demand is slowing due to economic uncertainty, causing several airlines, including Delta, American, and Southwest to cut first-quarter forecasts.
The Good
In a clever courtside stunt, Paramount Pictures promoted its new film Novocaine–starring Jack Quaid as a man who feels no pain–during the Clippers-Kings game. Cameras caught Quaid looking increasingly battered and bruised throughout the night, creating a buzzworthy spectacle that played right into the movie’s premise.
The Bad
Southwest Airlines is ending its “bags fly free” policy, introducing checked bag fees on tickets purchased after May 28, 2025, to align with industry standards. This move has sparked public backlash, with many customers expressing frustration over the loss of a longstanding benefit that set Southwest apart from competitors.
