D/R DOWNLOAD 4.18
What’s Trending
01/ On Google
“TSA Real ID Requirements Air Travel” trended +3,100% this week, highlighting travelers' growing awareness of the new identification guidelines.
02/ With Media
This week, media were interested in expert tips on multi-generational travel, the best glamping resorts in the United States, epic hotel concierge programs, the best underrated summer destinations, the best places to visit during shoulder season, and more.
03/ In the Zeitgeist
Gayle King and Katy Perry joined an all-female crew on a brief 10-minute Blue Origin spaceflight – the first all-women mission since 1963 – amid fanfare, personal milestones, and some public criticism over the trip's symbolism and billionaire ties, even earning O'Dwyer's PR Misfire of the Week Award. Meanwhile, scientists have detected dimethyl sulfide in the atmosphere of the exoplanet K2-18b, suggesting the potential for life, though further research is needed to confirm its habitability.
Industry Insights
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is developing a digital travel credential (DTC) that could replace boarding passes and passports with facial recognition and smartphone-based identity to streamline airport procedures globally by 2028.
Hotels such as Costa Rica’s Hotel Belmar, Graduate by Hilton, Ace Hotels, and The Peninsula Tokyo are incorporating resident artists to connect with guests through workshops and art exhibits, fostering a stronger bond with both the local environment and the creators behind the work.
Tourist information centers are booming in Asia, with countries like South Korea and Japan expanding their offerings to provide more personalized support for travelers. In Japan, these centers have become attractions in their own right, with visitors collecting unique stamps as part of their experience.
Luxury travel is embracing the outdoors as high-end hotels and travel brands increasingly offer guided hikes, wellness retreats, and nature-immersive experiences in remote and scenic destinations to meet the growing demand for active, holistic, and meaningful adventures.
Foreign supermarket shopping is becoming a popular travel activity, offering an authentic way to explore local culture through everyday items, as travelers get a glimpse into daily life that goes beyond typical tourist attractions.
Palm Springs, California, is vying to win back its Canadian travelers after experiencing a sharp decline amid rising political tensions with the installation of 40 red banners featuring a “Palm Springs (hearts) Canada” displayed along the city’s main road and within the airport.
Meow Wolf, the immersive art collective known for transforming storytelling into interactive, otherworldly experiences, is continuing to expand its reach with five permanent exhibitions across the U.S. – including its newest, Radio Tave in Houston – where visitors explore surreal, multisensory worlds through hidden doors, strange artifacts, and more.
American Airlines will offer free in-flight Wi-Fi on aircraft equipped with Viasat and Intelsat high-speed connectivity in 2026, in partnership with AT&T.
Spirit Airlines ranked as the best U.S. airline in WalletHub’s 2025 report, scoring highest overall for affordability and safety, ahead of Delta, JetBlue, and others, based on metrics like on-time performance, comfort, cost, and animal incidents.
The Good
American Airlines is partnering with FIFA and Qatar Airways for the 2026 World Cup, positioning itself as a key carrier for fans and teams by offering special flights, promotions, and exclusive opportunities for loyalty program members to win tickets.
At the ASU+GSV education summit, U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon mistakenly mixed up AI (artificial intelligence) with A.1. steak sauce while discussing modern classroom tools. In response, A.1. Sauce endorsed the idea of incorporating the condiment into schools, saying, “Every school should have access to A.1.”
The Bad
Revolve, a popular Gen Z retailer, is facing a $50-million class-action lawsuit from the state of California, accusing the brand of deceptive social media marketing tactics. Meta is also under scrutiny for allowing influencers to bypass FTC-required disclosures, potentially misleading consumers into thinking recommendations are organic rather than sponsored.
