What’s Trending
01/ On Google
“Travel destinations” rose +50% this week as travelers seek inspiration for new places to explore while planning their final getaways of 2026.
02/ With Media
This week, the media were interested in luxury fall travel destinations, U.S. ski destinations, 2027 places to travel, birding safaris, roadside attractions, and more.
The iconic LIFE magazine is making its return to print on November 23, nearly 20 years after its last regular publication, with a 250-page debut issue priced at $45. Led by supermodel Karlie Kloss, the relaunch will feature quarterly print editions alongside digital storytelling, documentaries and live events, marking a new chapter for the historic publication.
03/ In the Zeitgeist
Jay-Z has officially been announced as the headliner for the 2027 Super Bowl halftime show, taking the stage at SoFi Stadium after helping produce the event through his company Roc Nation since 2019.
DoorDash plans to acquire Instacart in a $17 billion deal, combining two major delivery platforms in the U.S. and strengthening DoorDash’s position in the grocery delivery market.
Industry Insights
Genuine human interaction is becoming a luxury good as AI removes friction from everyday life, with high-end consumers seeking out personal attention like remembered tables, in-person fittings, and hotel staff who know them by name. Experts say technology can support hospitality behind the scenes, but can’t replace empathy and intuition.
AAA projects that a record 22.4 million Americans will take cruises in 2027, a 3.6% increase compared to 2026, with 71% of people heading to the Caribbean. New ships are helping fuel the growth, as Carnival, MSC, Norwegian, and Royal Caribbean each launch a vessel next year, with Florida’s Miami and Port Canaveral to gain even more departures.
More women are booking solo trips to meet new people and form meaningful friendships, rather than waiting for friends’ schedules or interests to align. From surfing retreats to horseback riding expeditions, women-focused travel companies are seeing growing interest in experiences that combine adventure with opportunities to connect with like-minded travelers.
The “whycation” trend encourages travelers to identify what they want from a trip, whether rest, connection or a new skill, and let that purpose guide the destination. Experts recommend focusing on one clear goal, planning one main activity per day and slowing the pace to return home feeling refreshed.
Souvenir tourism is gaining traction, with Skyscanner reporting that 43% have traveled for something they couldn’t simply buy online. The thrill of the hunt is part of the appeal, turning souvenirs into both a personal story and a way to commemorate a place.
Norway responded to President Trump’s negative remarks with a tongue-in-cheek viral post from Visit Norway, showcasing its architect-designed roadside restrooms overlooking fjords, rivers and mountains. The tourism board highlighted how many stops along its Scenic Routes have earned architecture awards and become attractions in their own right.
The Good
Former Disney Channel stars Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato are tapping into nostalgia with a Rare Beauty collaboration, launching a limited-edition “Delena” blush bundle and campaign that recreates moments from their 2009 film Princess Protection Program and early YouTube videos. The reunion turns a product launch into a pop culture moment, leveraging fans’ emotional connection to the duo’s Disney Channel days to drive social engagement and earned media.
The Bad
Villa Vie Residences has abruptly suspended its three and a half year world cruise, leaving more than 200 passengers stranded in Cambodia after rising fuel costs made the voyage financially unsustainable. Some were reportedly given just seven hours to disembark, upending plans for those who had made the ship their long term home.
