D/R DOWNLOAD 3.20
What’s Trending
01/ On Google
Unique travel destinations jumped 30% this week, as more travelers seek out off-the-beaten-path experiences and one-of-a-kind trips.
02/ With Media
This week, the media was interested in hotel amenities, best destinations for first-time international travelers, weekend getaways centered around women-led experiences, skillcations, and sustainable restaurants.
03/ In the Zeitgeist
The 2026 Oscars drew nearly 17.9 million viewers on ABC and Hulu, a 9% drop from last year and the lowest TV audience since 2022, even as the show remained the top primetime entertainment broadcast of the season. Social engagement, by contrast, climbed significantly, reflecting audiences’ shift toward digital highlights over live viewing.
Industry Insights
Travel experts predict 2026 will be defined by more intentional travel, with growing demand for off-season trips, lesser-known destinations, and highly personalized itineraries. Advisors say travelers are prioritizing slower, more immersive experiences and increasingly turning to specialists to plan them.
Millennials and Gen Z continue to prioritize travel, but younger travelers are approaching it with more caution due to financial pressures and higher expectations around value.
Spring travel is being shaped by a mix of destination diversification and evolving traveler priorities, with growing interest in both beach escapes and culturally rich urban hubs across Latin America, Asia, and Europe.
Canadian travel to the U.S. is declining as political tensions, trade disputes, and border concerns push many travelers to reconsider cross-border trips. Reports show a notable drop in visits and bookings, with Canadians increasingly opting for alternative destinations or domestic travel instead.
A new travel trends report highlights a shift toward more cautious, value-driven behavior, with travelers prioritizing flexibility, affordability, and shorter trips amid economic uncertainty. It also underscores growing reliance on reviews, AI tools, and authentic local experiences.
“Viking wellness” is emerging as a major travel trend, centered on Scandinavian-inspired rituals like saunas and cold plunges that promote physical and mental reset.
Adult summer camps are gaining popularity in Europe as travelers seek playful, community‑oriented experiences that blend nostalgia with meaningful social connection.
Hotel trends show the industry adjusting to shifting travel patterns, with U.S. inbound visits softening while outbound travel grows. Hotels are investing in new properties and expanding brands, focusing on comfort, value, and experiences travelers actually want.
The Good
Uber is leaning into the classic “Irish exit” with a new campaign featuring Traitors star Maura Higgins. The campaign plays on the familiar moment of slipping out of a party without saying goodbye, highlighting Uber as a simple, relatable way to get home safely during St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.
The Bad
Publication of the horror novel Shy Girl was canceled after its publisher pulled the book amid allegations that substantial portions may have been generated with artificial intelligence, highlighting growing tensions in the publishing world over AI’s role in creative work.
The Lipstick Lesbians’ new beauty venture Leaked Labs has sparked a buzz online, with fans and critics debating their debut “leak,” a limited‑run experimental makeup formula sold directly to followers and meant to crowdsource feedback on early‑stage products.
