D/R DOWNLOAD 10.24
What’s Trending
01/ On Google
“EF Tours” trended +160% this week, indicating a resurgence in demand for guided group travel, especially among families and adult learners looking for structured, all-inclusive itineraries.
02/ With Media
This week, media were interested in over-the-top holiday experiences, hotels with intensive sleep programs, the best ski resorts, off-season fall destinations, Christmas Markets, and more.
People Inc., one of the largest U.S. media publishers, is laying off 226 employees (6% of staff) as it shifts focus toward social media, e-commerce, and events. CEO Neil Vogel said the move will help the company “evolve and prioritize growth areas,” noting that People Inc. has also added more than 300 new hires in emerging business units over the past year.
03/ In the Zeitgeist
A $102M jewelry heist at the Louvre exposed major security lapses at the world’s most visited museum. Thieves posing as workers broke in via a truck ladder, escaping in minutes with royal jewels. A leaked audit revealed parts of the Louvre lacked camera coverage, raising questions about outdated systems and staffing shortages.
OpenAI launches ChatGPT Atlas, an AI-powered browser that summarizes pages, compares products, and completes tasks like booking trips or grocery shopping. Atlas is seen as a potential challenger to Google Chrome’s dominance and a sign of AI’s growing role in everyday search and browsing.
Industry Insights
National Geographic’s 2026 Best of the World list highlights 25 must-visit destinations—from Italy’s Dolomites, host of the Winter Olympics, to Québec’s new Indigenous-managed Nibiischii National Park, showcasing travel that blends adventure, culture, and sustainability.
Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2026 names 25 must-visit destinations, from Peru and Sardinia to Jeju-do and British Columbia, plus hidden gems like Tipperary and Réunion – all now available as bookable trips for the first time.
Hotels from Lake Como to Portugal are embracing the off-season as travelers seek quieter escapes and cooler weather. Properties like São Lourenço do Barrocal and Passalacqua are leaning into year-round appeal that showcase their destinations beyond summer.
AAA expects a record 21.7 million Americans to cruise in 2026, up 4.5% from this year – the fourth straight year of growth. The Caribbean leads demand as bigger ships and new itineraries keep cruising’s popularity surging.
Per the Family Travel Association, family travel continues its steady climb, with 92% of parents planning to vacation with their children in the next year, the highest since the pandemic.
Wyndham launched Wyndham Rewards Insider, a new $95-a-year subscription offering hotel, flight, and cruise discounts, plus VIP perks like MICHELIN-star reservations and Ticketmaster rewards. The program aims to deliver big-travel perks without high credit card fees.
The Good
Visit Iceland launched a witty new Northern Lights campaign, starring UK comedian Joe Thomas in a mockumentary that celebrates the country’s “aurora obsession.” The campaign spotlights Iceland’s playful spirit and invites travelers to take an “aurora readiness” quiz for a chance to win a free trip to Iceland, as searches for Northern Lights travel climb nearly 92% year-over-year.
