D/R DOWNLOAD 6.9

What’s Trending

01/ On Google

• “LGBTQ+ travel” searches increased +80% this week, likely due to the beginning of Pride Month.

02/ With Media

• This week, media were interested in the most romantic destinations for honeymooners, the best affordable boutique hotels for a bachelorette party, the best places to see New England fall foliage and information on brands that support LGBTQ consumers year round.

03/ In The Zeitgeist

• Apple launched its new mixed reality headset, the Vision Pro, which has true 4k content and is controlled by hand and finger gestures, eye-tracking and voice. The product will cost $3,499 and begin shipping next year.

• The finale of "The Ultimatum of Queer Love," a groundbreaking Netflix series, has captivated audiences worldwide with its poignant exploration of love, identity, and acceptance within the LGBTQ+ community.

• New York City skies appeared orange this week as a result of the intense smoke caused by wildfires in Canada, causing an extreme decrease in air quality, a resurgence of face masks, and even flight delays.

Industry Insights

• Marriott is set to launch a new hotel brand catering to budget-minded extended-stay guests, aiming to tap into the growing demand for affordable accommodations for longer stays.

• Misterb&b, a travel platform that caters to the LGBTQ+ community, has added an in-app social network feature to connect LGBTQ+ travelers and create a sense of community.

• American Airlines has started flying to the British Virgin Islands, expanding its services to the Caribbean and offering more options for travelers.

• Delta debuted a new prototype for the first-of-its-kind airplane seat this week at the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg, Germany. This design could radically change the inflight experience for passengers with reduced mobility.

• Daniel K. Inouye International in Honolulu experienced multiple gate closures due to a bed bug infestation in the past week.

• The strikes at airports across Europe this summer are impacting travelers for transportation, accommodations, and tourist attractions which may result in delays or cancellations for those planning to travel within Europe.

• Agritourism, a form of travel that involves visiting agricultural areas and participating in farming activities, is gaining popularity as a sustainable and educational travel trend.

• Travel companies that cater to travelers of the LGBTQIA+ community are exploring creative ways they can safely offer exciting and fulfilling tours to countries that are considered unsafe to members of the LGBTQIA+ community.

• The Grand Canyon, one of the seven Wonders of the World, is reported to be losing its river due to the harmful effects of climate change. The Colorado River is depleting largely due to low snow from the Rockies and the warming temperatures that are leading to evaporation.

• Allegedly, the U.S. is using artificial intelligence to screen travelers using their smartphone data, potentially impacting refugees and asylum seekers.

Best Practices

01/ The Good

• At the RBC Canadian Open golf tournament, Hilton is bringing back its well-liked "Hilton on the Green" experience, which lets visitors stay the night in a one-bedroom temporary hotel room on the course. This received a lot of praise as it made international headlines and received a tremendous amount of local coverage and online engagement in 2022.

02/ The Bad

• Uganda's proposed anti-LGBTQ+ bill has raised concerns about the potential negative impact on the country's tourism industry and the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals if the bill becomes law.

• Target is facing criticism and backlash for removing some Pride products from stores in response to anti-LGBTQ harassment faced by employees. More than 200 LGBTQ+ groups are demanding a restock for all Pride merchandise and “denounce extremists.”