D/R DOWNLOAD 9.15

What’s Trending

01/ On Google

• “Travel to Morocco” trended +180% this week, as travelers sought information following the magnitude 6.8 earthquake that continues to impact the region.

02/ With Media

• Alice Barnes Brown is Travel Weekly’s new Deputy Features Editor.

• Media giant Gannett, owner of USA Today and over 1,000 newspapers, is hiring Taylor Swift and Beyonce reporters in light of their increased media exposure and popularity.

• The TIME100 for 2023 has been published, including this year’s influential artists, innovators, leaders, and more such as music artist Shania Twain, Tony award winner Alex Newell, and best-selling author Emily Henry.

• This week, media were interested in kid-friendly vacation destinations, scenic river cruises, adults-only all-inclusive resorts, and advice for the best time to book a holiday.

03/ Industry Insights

• The newest iPhone has been released, including new features that will be especially helpful for travel, such as an 'all-day' battery, the long-awaited universal charger, and the ability to connect to roadside assistance with no cell service.

• Several ‘fall-foliage reports’ have been made for cities across America, as travelers aim to peep leaves at the peak of their vibrancy. The foliage reports note things like the weekly color progressions, the best places to see the leaves, and more.

• Influencers are now working with tour companies to host trips with their followers. Influencers make a commission on their trip, while followers bond with their favorite creators, and companies build business.

• Utah is looking to build a railroad that runs from Salt Lake City to Las Vegas in an effort to increase tourism and allow more avenues of accessible travel.

• The infamously discussed Venice day-trip fee may be coming soon. The fee of five euros per person aged 14 years and older is said to be implemented on a trial basis beginning in 2024.

• In an effort to appease overcrowding complaints, Delta is limiting the amount of times a Sky Club member can access the member-exclusive lounges, in addition to increasing the requirements for members to even enter.

• Ennismore has launched a new ‘dis-loyalty’ program, an untraditional loyalty program in the sense that members don’t need to earn points, climb tiers, or wait for rewards. Instead, members get instant perks from the moment they sign up.

• In an effort to fight overtourism, the city of Florence, Italy is seeking to ban all new AirBnb’s in the area.

• Hawaii is set to reopen West Maui on October 8th, according to a proclamation made by state Governor Green. Lahaina, the wildfire impact zone, will remain closed to visitors.

• A devastating earthquake struck Morocco on Friday night (9/8), killing and injuring thousands of people. Search and rescue teams are continuing with their efforts as the country tries to rebuild after the deadliest earthquake in decades.

• Over 20,000 people are suspected as dead in Libya after a recent flood devastated the nation. Around 11,300 deaths have been confirmed, but the numbers continue to rise as the country continues search and rescue efforts.

The Good

• Dunkin Donuts is ‘putting the ice in pumpkin spice’ with their new collaboration with superstar rapper Ice Spice. The Ice Spice Munchkins Drink are inspired by Spice’s fans, who are named “munchkins” as well as the infamous pumpkin spice flavoring of fall.

The Bad

• Martha Stewart is being criticized for creating a cocktail using ice from an iceberg while on a cruise in Greenland. Many felt the act was insensitive due to the current climate crisis, which is widely known to be melting important icebergs.

• After three weeks, Delta found a guest’s pet chihuahua, after being detained from her owner by US Customs and Border Patrol. The airline offered the woman $1,800 as compensation when they initially gave up hope on finding the dog early last week.

• Draft Kings were under fire this week for featuring a promotion based on the terrorist attacks of 9/11, urging people to “bet on these New York teams to win tonight on 9/11.” If any of the New York professional sports teams won their games, the company would pay out its bets to eligible customers.