D/R DOWNLOAD 4.12
What’s Trending
01/ On Google
“The Golden Rules of Retirement Travel” trended +700% this week, stemming from an article on Condé Nast Traveler. Experienced retirees shared tips and tricks for maximizing time and money when vacationing.
02/ With Media
This week, media were interested in the best world cruise itineraries for 2025-2027, tips on how to travel on a budget, the best food & drink trails in the US, the best destinations for oysters, and more.
03/ In the Zeitgeist
Following Monday's solar eclipse, travelers are starting to plan for the solar eclipse in 2026. The eclipse will be seen from Spain, Iceland, and Greenland, and is Europe’s first total solar eclipse in 27 years. Travel company Space and Telescope has already sold out an 11-day tour of Spain including a viewing of the eclipse.
Industry Insights
Google revealed the top 20 most popular destinations for summer travel based on US searches for Google Flights. The locations include London, Paris, Tokyo, Rome, New York, and more.
Airbnb released its 2024 summer travel trends, showing a 30% increase in searches for outdoor amenities. Trending destinations include Dortmund, Germany; Chiclana de la Frontera, Spain; Columbia, South Carolina; and Las Vegas, Nevada.
Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has announced the country's decision to abolish its "golden visa" program, which grants residency rights to foreign investors in exchange for large real estate investments. The move addresses the housing crisis and makes affordable housing accessible to residents.
According to the travel booking site, Hopper, summer travel flight prices will peak at the end of May and early June. While prices may surpass 2023 levels, they are still lower than pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
Hawaii is considering a new bill to regulate and restrict short-term vacation rentals, targeting platforms like Airbnb. The proposed legislation aims to ensure hosts comply with legal requirements and create an enforcement team to address concerns about housing availability and affordability for residents.
Fees for Global Entry, SENTRI, and NEXUS Trusted Traveler Programs will each increase to a flat fee of $120 starting October 1, 2024.
Italy has launched a Digital Nomad Visa, allowing remote workers to live and travel in the country for up to a year, with optional renewal. Applicants must make above $30,000, hold a college degree, and have proof of lodging and healthcare in the country.
The US State Department is considering relaxing travel advisories in China, which is currently at Level 3. The U.S. Deputy Secretary of State announced that communication channels have opened between the two countries, and are rebuilding personal exchanges.
Brazil has postponed its visa requirement for U.S. travelers until 2025. This is the third time the e-visa has been delayed since 2023, in an effort to increase tourism.
Princess Cruises is introducing a new ‘Rail & Sail’ service with Brightline in Florida to provide a train-to-port service for cruise passengers. Travelers can now transition from Brightline's Florida stations to the embarkation terminal with transportation provided by Princess Cruises.
The Good
BARK, a subscription for dogs is partnering with a charter jet company to launch a new travel service, BARK Air. BARK Air prioritizes dogs on flights followed by their humans so they can travel comfortably and conveniently together. The airline will service New York, Los Angeles, and London.
Shake Shack is offering free chicken sandwiches every Sunday in April as a promotion, highlighting that their chicken is antibiotic-free. This comes after rival fast food chain Chick-fil-A announced they are switching their chicken source.
