D/R DOWNLOAD 12.5
What’s Trending
01/ On Google
“Cyber Monday travel deals” trended +1,000%, highlighting how travelers were taking advantage of the savings weekend to save on their next trip.
02/ With Media
These past two weeks, media were interested in last-minute holiday travel trips, top new resorts in the Caribbean and Mexico, where to go for a snow-free Christmas, remote luxury hotels, most anticipated hotel openings for 2026, and beyond.
03/ In the Zeitgeist
Netflix has agreed to buy Warner Bros. and HBO for $72 billion, a move that will reshape Hollywood by combining two streaming giants. The deal still faces significant regulatory scrutiny and industry pushback.
Pantone named “Cloud Dancer,” a soft white, as its 2026 Color of the Year, meant to signal calm and a fresh start. Styles reporters debated the pick, noting its political baggage and lack of boldness even as some said its blank-slate vibe fits the moment.
Oxford has named “rage bait” as the 2025 Word of the Year, reflecting a surge in online content engineered to provoke anger and boost engagement. The term’s rapid rise mirrors broader concerns about digital manipulation, algorithm-driven outrage, and how technology continues to shape attention, emotion, and discourse.
Industry Insights
A former proposal requiring airlines to compensate passengers for delays has now been withdrawn under the Trump administration. The decision follows a 43-day government shutdown, with the Department of Transportation expressing that such added regulations do not align with the current administration's priorities.
TSA will implement Confirm.ID for travelers with non-compliant forms of identification, requiring a $45 fee for alternative verification beginning February 1, 2026. According to the TSA, the initiative aims to encourage those without the mandated ID to make an appointment with their local DMV.
Young travelers are increasingly choosing destinations based on events, with 40% of Europeans and half of U.S. travelers ages 18 to 34 saying events drive their trip decisions, according to Arival. The findings signal a major opportunity for travel brands to meet this demand by pairing marquee events with compelling add-on experiences.
The Global Wellness Institute’s new Global Wellness Economy Monitor 2025 reports that the wellness market has surged to a record $6.8 trillion, doubling since 2013 and growing 7.9% from 2023 to 2024. All 11 wellness sectors now exceed pre-pandemic levels, with wellness real estate and mental wellness leading growth, while workplace wellness remains the only stagnant segment.
The rise of “employee influencers” reached the cruise industry, with crew members sharing behind-the-scenes videos that spotlight the often-overlooked realities of working at sea. Their content reveals the quirks and challenges of ship life while giving cruise lines a rare opportunity to showcase what typically stays behind the curtain.
Cake-inspired interiors are trending, with designers using frosting-like plaster, piped textures, and confectionery color palettes to create whimsical, tactile, and nostalgic spaces. The movement blends Rococo indulgence with Arts and Crafts authenticity, driven by a cultural craving for comfort, joy, and sensory escapism in an anxious world.
Google announced plans to introduce new agentic AI tools designed to assist travelers with hotel bookings and itinerary modifications. While there is no specific release date yet, the development of these tools faces various challenges, including price volatility, loyalty program redemptions, and hospitality upgrades.
Local UK governments plan to introduce an overnight tax aimed at tourists staying in hotels, holiday rentals, bed and breakfasts, and guesthouses. While decisions regarding this proposed tax will be announced on February 18, 2026, it is believed that its implementation will benefit major cities like London, as the additional revenue will be reinvested into the local economy
The Good
Fast-food chain Wendy’s joined the “6-7” trend with 67-cent Small Frosty treats on Nov. 28 nationwide, with the deal continuing via mobile orders through Dec. 7. The promo follows similar meme-driven offers from Pizza Hut and Domino’s.
Ralph Lauren created a limited-edition capsule collection with the United States Postal Service to celebrate USPS’s 250th anniversary. The line includes a wool Carrier coat inspired by 19th-century postal uniforms, a leather messenger bag with a replica U.S. Mail logo, and a mesh cap referencing a 1955 emblem.
The Bad
Campbell’s fired a vice president after a recording surfaced of him allegedly criticizing the company’s products, which the company claims are false. The employee who recorded the conversation is now suing, claiming he was fired in retaliation after trying to report the behavior.
Shay Mitchell’s luggage brand Béis was under fire for a Cyber Monday email with the subject line “Action required: Fraud alert” that promoted a sale rather than an actual issue. Social media users and marketing experts say the tactic may violate FTC rules, which require honest, accurate subject lines.
