What’s Trending
01/ On Google
"Is France safe to travel to right now" trended +850% this week following widespread protests and unrest last weekend.
02/ With Media
This week, the media were interested in Black Friday deals, hotel fall programming, 2027 honeymoon trends, hotels that foster community, holiday cocktails, and more.
03/ In the Zeitgeist
AI researchers are warning about “gradual disempowerment,” the risk that growing reliance on AI could erode independent thinking and decision making as the technology takes on more responsibilities at work and daily life.
Disney+ and Hulu have confirmed an official Glee reboot 11 years after the original series ended. Creator Ryan Murphy is returning to bring the hit musical comedy back to people’s screens, with Lea Michele and other original cast members reportedly returning to reprise their iconic roles.
Elizabeth Holmes documentary You Can See Everything scored the biggest non-music documentary opening in over 20 years, earning more than $15 million across fewer than 900 screens as Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim follow the Theranos founder before her prison sentence.
Industry Insights
Airbnb is banning hosts from requiring guests to wash dishes, strip beds or take out trash at checkout. Starting November 20, the changes aim to make stays more convenient by limiting cleaning tasks and ensuring guests know what is expected before booking.
Holiday travelers are in for the most expensive airfare prices in at least a decade. According to Hopper, costs for Thanksgiving flights are up 31% and Christmas flights up 23% compared to last year. Rising fuel costs are driving prices higher, but airline executives say demand remains strong as travelers continue to make holiday trips despite the added expense.
Brands are embracing analog photography as consumers seek more offline experiences with Ithaca Hummus sending creators disposable cameras for its “Film Eats First” campaign, Pinterest offering mail-home photos at its phone-free Coachella activation, and Grillo’s Pickles launching a screen-free Camp Snap camera that sold out after its SXSW debut.
JetBlue Vacations and Virgin Voyages are teaming up to launch “Do Not Disturb,” an adults-only vacation experience from airport to sea in March 2027, featuring a kid-free JetBlue flight between JFK and FLL with a four-night cruise to Key West and Virgin’s Bimini beach club.
GLP-1 medications are reshaping the way travelers choose hotels and vacation experiences, with 74% of users saying GLP-1-friendly amenities would influence their booking decisions, according to Priceline. Hotels are seeing a rise in demand for smaller meal portions, protein-rich menus, medication storage and wellness-focused activities as travelers adjust their vacation habits.
“Matriarch trips” are giving moms and grandmothers the chance to take the lead on family vacations with trips planned around their dream destinations, personal interest and family history. The trend is encouraging more meaningful multigenerational travel, allowing families to create new memories all while connecting with loved ones on a deeper level.
The Good
Luggage brand Away has named DJ John Summit its new "Chief Destruction Officer” after he went viral for setting his Rimowa suitcase on fire following repeated luggage issues while touring. This partnership puts Away’s aluminum luggage to the ultimate test turning the viral moment into a creative campaign.
