D/R DOWNLOAD 2.14
What’s Trending
01/ On Google
“Forbes travel guide” trended +90% this week following the announcement of the 2025 Star Awards, indicating heightened interest in top-rated luxury hospitality brands.
02/ With Media
This week, media were interested in women’s equality in the travel industry, coffee tourism experiences around the world, hotels and resorts offering ‘cowboy-centric’ experiences, and more.
Private chef and influencer Meredith Hayden, creator of Wishbone Kitchen, accused Bon Appétit of copying her online series ‘Dinner With Friends,’ underscoring ongoing tensions between food media and digital creators over originality.
03/ In the Zeitgeist
Google removed references for the start of Black History and Women’s History months from its calendar app, among other holidays and events, claiming the maintenance of many moments globally wasn’t “scalable or sustainable.”
Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl LIX halftime show performance captivated a record-breaking 133.5 million viewers, making it the most-watched halftime show in history. The game ended with the Eagles defeating the Chiefs with a final score of 40-22.
Industry Insights
Airbnb has experienced a dramatic increase in searches for solo trips compared to last year, highlighting a growing trend of travelers seeking independent, personalized vacation experiences.
Iceland was named the safest place to travel in 2025 by Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection for its low crime rate and peaceful environment making it an attractive destination for travelers.
In an attempt to control the flow of tourism during peak season, Venice has doubled its daytripper tax from 5 euros to 10 euros, which will run daily from April 18 to May 4 and every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until the end of July.
Major U.S. airlines are urging the Trump administration to halt a review that could mandate passenger compensation for flight disruptions, arguing it would increase costs and ticket prices.
Following an executive order from President Donald Trump, Google Maps renamed the Gulf of Mexico to the ‘Gulf of America’ for U.S. users, prompting Mexico to consider legal action against Google asserting that the name remains unchanged.
Hyatt Hotel Corporation announced plans to acquire Playa Hotels & Resorts N.V. for $2.6 billion or $13.50 per share. This acquisition is expected to be completed later this year.
The new MSC Miami Cruise Terminal welcomed its first guests as the MSC Seascape docked at the new facility, marking a major achievement for the cruise industry as the largest terminal in the world.
The Good
After airing its first Super Bowl ad since 1998 – a widely praised female empowerment message – Nike kept the high energy going with a post-game social video tribute to the winning Eagles.
The Bad
Poppi’s recent marketing move of gifting branded vending machines to influencers sparked public outrage, with critics labeling it as wasteful and out of touch. Poppi’s founder addressed the controversy head-on, pledging a more community-focused approach moving forward.
