D/R DOWNLOAD 10.16

What’s Trending

01/ On Google

• “Cheap flights” rose +30% as travelers look for more affordable airfare ahead of the holiday season.

02/ With Media

• This week, the media were interested in weekend and holiday getaways, November travel deals, affordable famous destination alternatives, Christmas-themed suites, Halloween activities, nostalgic fall experiences, and more.

03/ In the Zeitgeist

• New York City’s iconic Plaza Hotel will close for at least four years beginning in January 2027 for a major restoration of its historic exterior, taking one of Manhattan’s most famous luxury hotels offline for years.

• TODAY is giving Harry Styles fans the chance to win concert tickets by creating posters explaining why they want to attend his “Together, Together” tour and bringing them to the TODAY Plaza in New York City on the designated contest day. Entries will be judged on creativity, originality and how well they capture the theme.

Industry Insights

• Priceline’s 2027 Where to Next? report finds that travelers are becoming more strategic, with 62% of Americans cutting back on one part of a trip to upgrade another and 70% choosing destinations based on how far their money will stretch. Top upcoming trends include “TripMaxxing”, GLP-1-friendly hotels, food-first trip planning, and AI-personalized itineraries.

• Expedia’s Unpack’27 report, based on a survey of 26,000 adults across 16 countries, spotlights the trends shaping 2027 travel, including “Un-Adulting” carefree nostalgic trips, “Trip Snacking” one night getaways, Gothic-style hotels, hobby-focused group trips, and screen-inspired travel. It also names the travel hotspots gaining traction based on search data, including South Lake Tahoe, Hyogo, Japan, and Punta del Este, Uruguay. 

• The growing “hushpitality” trend is bringing quiet dining experiences to hotels where guests can enjoy multi-course meals without noise. For example, Rancho La Puerta’s 90-minute silent dinner hosts five courses without conversation or technology offering a way to disconnect and recharge without committing to a full silent retreat.

• Fora’s 2026 Accessible Travel Report finds that 78% of families planning multigenerational trips with accessibility needs would pay more to ensure everyone is accommodated. However, 90% of travel advisors say online accessibility information is often incomplete, outdated or contradictory, highlighting a gap between travelers’ needs and the information available to plan inclusive trips. 

• Booking.com’s 2027 travel predictions point to a more unconventional approach to travel, with 77% of global travelers interested in trips that push them outside their comfort zones and 81% choosing destinations based on how they want to feel rather than where they want to go. Top trends include “Social Currency,” “The All Exclusive,” “Vibe Check(In)” and “PTO: Powered by AI,” reflecting shifts in social travel and AI assisted time off.

• Delta is upgrading its premium in-flight dining and beverage offerings with new menu items, including Wagyu beef burgers and $200 bottles of Silver Oak Cabernet, alongside refreshed service designed to align with its high-end airport lounges and enhance its first- and business-class experiences. The new services roll out November 2 on select long haul routes, with global expansion planned by March. 

• Wine harvest cruises are giving travelers a new reason to visit Europe in the fall, combining scenic sailings with vineyards tours, wine tastings and local food experiences. These trips offer a chance to explore some of Europe’s famous wine regions during harvest season while avoiding the summer crowds. 

The Good

• Patagonia is turning sustainability into a more accessible brand experience by bringing its Worn Wear resale program directly to its main website, allowing customers to shop new and used clothing in the same cart. The move reinforces Patagonia’s environmental mission while making it easier for customers to participate in sustainable shopping.

The Bad

• Comedian Shane Gillis is facing backlash over his Saturday Night Live monologue after making offensive remarks about women’s gym attire, prompting criticism across social media. The controversy has renewed scrutiny of the comedian’s material and the show’s decision to feature him.