D/R DOWNLOAD 12.19

What’s Trending

01/ On Google

• “20 best budget travel destinations” trended +40% this week, reflecting growing interest in affordable trips amid rising travel costs.

02/ With Media

• This week, media were interested in set-jetting locations and their dupes, travel expert opinions on destinations to visit before they become too popular, romantic getaways around the world, spring break in the Caribbean, the latest hotel and tourism news from Central America, and more.

03/ In the Zeitgeist

• Southwest Airlines launched a buzzy “meme sale,” offering $67 one-way fares that play directly into the viral “67” internet meme, on select midweek domestic flights for travel between January and early March. The limited-time deal reflects how airlines are increasingly tapping into internet culture to drive attention and bookings.

• The Oscars are heading to YouTube. Beginning in 2029, the Academy Awards will stream exclusively on YouTube under a five-year deal, ending ABC’s nearly 50-year run and signaling how even Hollywood’s most traditional institutions are following audiences—especially younger viewers—toward streaming-first platforms.

Industry Insights

• Bloomberg’s 2026 Travel Guide highlights 25 destinations to watch in the year ahead, from lesser-known regions like Extremadura and Gabon to rising cultural centers including Almaty and Taipei. The list emphasizes value, new luxury supply, and lesser-visited alternatives as travelers rethink where to go next.

• Chase Travel’s editors unveil 26 trips to take in 2026, spotlighting trending destinations thanks to new flights, hotel openings, infrastructure upgrades, and cultural moments, from the Albanian Riviera and Sri Lanka to Osaka, the Canadian Arctic, and Route 66’s centennial. The list blends under-the-radar regions with reimagined classics, indicating where demand, access, and experience are converging next year.

• Virtuoso’s 2026 Luxe Report identifies nine standout luxury experiences shaping high-end travel, including Seoul’s rise, North Pole expeditions, Vatican after-hours access, regenerative agritourism, private Nile cruising, and community-based cultural travel. The report draws on insights from 2,400+ advisors and notes a sharp rise in travelers turning to expert planning.

• Holiday travel is expected to hit record levels, with airlines adding roughly 72,000 seats per day and preparing expanded de-icing operations. Travelers driving instead may benefit from lower fuel costs, with gas averaging around $2.90 per gallon nationwide.

• The U.S. Travel Association warned that a proposed Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) change requiring foreign visitors to submit up to five years of social media history could discourage inbound travel. The group cited privacy concerns, unclear security gains, and the risk of pushing visitors and their spending to other destinations.

• Italian cuisine was added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list, formally recognizing it as a living cultural practice rooted in community, tradition, and sustainability. The designation aims to protect Italy’s culinary identity while supporting regional economies.

• United Airlines introduced new app features to streamline the airport experience, including real-time boarding progress, enhanced bag tracking, and personalized trip updates. The airline says AI-driven tools will surface relevant information from lounge access to arrival logistics throughout the journey.

• American Airlines quietly ended mileage and status earning on basic economy tickets, tightening the gap between its cheapest fares and loyalty perks. The move aligns with American and Delta’s strategy and reflects a broader airline push to steer travelers toward higher-priced tickets as premium demand continues to outperform budget travel.

The Good

• SharkNinja, the home appliance company behind brands like Shark and Ninja, demonstrated effective thought leadership by bringing its CEO directly to consumers via a TikTok livestream. The experiment delivered tangible returns, with impressions up 329% and views up 70%, reinforcing the value of executive visibility when paired with the right platform.