D/R DOWNLOAD 7.25
What’s Trending
01/ On Google
“Comfort travel hoodie” trended +550% this week as travelers seek cozy, functional gear for flights and long journeys, spotlighting viral designs with built-in sleep masks, hidden pockets, and oversized hoods from brands like Comfrt and influencer-backed collections.
02/ With Media
This week, media were interested in last-minute Labor Day getaway ideas, the best beach hotels and resorts in North America, hot new restaurant openings, luxury hotels investing in coral reef restoration, destinations that make adults feel like kids again, and more.
03/ In the Zeitgeist
TikTok users are glamorizing passport photos with full makeup and studio lighting, but border agents are flagging them for not matching travelers in person. The U.S. State Department allows makeup, but warns that significant changes in appearance can slow down verification. No filters, no editing, and the photo must clearly reflect how you look today.
A viral TikTok showing the flooding on New York subways used Jet2holiday’s now-iconic “Nothing beats a Jet2 holiday” sound, part of a trend pairing chaotic or ironic travel moments with audio from the 2024 U.K. ad. The remix has turned the old campaign into a summer meme, spreading well beyond its original audience.
Industry Insights
Influencer-led group trips are gaining popularity through platforms like TrovaTrip, where creators sell curated travel itineraries to followers. Marketed as community-focused, these trips are drawing criticism for contributing to overtourism and prioritizing content over sustainability.
EF Ultimate Break launched new literary-themed itineraries that take travelers through the worlds of Harry Potter and A Court of Thorns and Roses, with stops at iconic filming sites in London and the Scottish Highlands.
Expedia released its 2025 Island Hot List, featuring Global standouts Aruba, Bali, Fiji, Koh Samui, and the Maldives. U.S. travelers are leaning toward Madeira, Turks & Caicos, St. Thomas, Nantucket, and Palm Beach, signaling a strong year for sun-soaked escapes.
The U.S. will withdraw from UNESCO on Dec. 31, 2026, citing misalignment with national interests and opposition to the agency’s global development agenda. While the move ends U.S. participation in heritage preservation efforts, UNESCO says operations and access to World Heritage Sites, including 26 in the U.S., will continue as usual.
Water-based safaris in the Okavango Delta and Chobe River offer a quieter, more intimate alternative to game drives. Traditional mokoros and canoes bring travelers within meters of elephants and hippos, with no motors, no crowds, and a deep focus on sustainability.
The White House has ordered the National Park Service to review and revise displays at 433 sites deemed to “disparage” Americans. Topics under scrutiny include slavery, Native history, and climate change, sparking criticism around historical erasure.
Upscale properties are partnering with fashion houses and yacht companies to offer in-room designer wardrobes, signature accessories, and curated experiences, blending a hotel stay with a high-end lifestyle.
Newport Beach’s Resort at Pelican Hill just launched its ultra-glam Villa & Vespa Experience: a private villa stay paired with a custom Pelican Hill-branded Vespa Primavera 150cc, to ride and take home. Starting at $11,000, the package includes daily breakfast, pool butlers, and exclusive summer perks like Ciao Bella cabanas, curated villa add-ons by Williams Sonoma, and Mediterranean-inspired picnics.
Expedia’s TAAP platform now offers a 365-day deferment window for “book now, pay later” bookings. Advisors can make changes post-booking, pay by bank transfer in select European markets, and apply agency service fees in more than 20 countries.
Semi-private carrier JSX is now flying nonstop to Napa County (APC) from Burbank and Orange County. Flights run through November 17, with fares from $189, offering a luxe shortcut to wine country.
Uber will begin piloting a new feature next month in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Detroit that allows women riders and drivers to opt into same-gender pairings. The tool is designed to improve safety and comfort by giving users more control over who they’re matched with, and marks Uber’s latest effort to address concerns on its platform.
As of July 21, cruise passengers visiting Greek islands will pay a new fee—20 euros for Santorini and Mykonos, 5 euros elsewhere—to support infrastructure and curb overtourism. The tax will be collected by cruise lines.
In a move to address overtourism, Barcelona will shutter two cruise terminals in 2025. The closures are part of a €185M plan to revamp port infrastructure and reduce crowding.
From the 4,443-square-foot Regent Suite with its private spa and hot tub to Celebrity Apex’s Iconic Suites with wraparound views, cruise lines are redefining luxury at sea. These ultra-personalized, high-design spaces blur the line between ship and resort, appealing to travelers who want a destination built right into their suite.
The Good
To spotlight biodiversity and unique accommodations, Switzerland Tourism created micro-hotels for birds, bees, and hedgehogs, each inspired by a real hotel experience. The initiative merges conservation with creative storytelling.
