D/R DOWNLOAD 4.17
What’s Trending
01/ On Google
“U.S. Caribbean travel” jumped +1000%, as travelers increasingly look to find easy, warm-weather escapes.
02/ With Media
This week, media were interested in family-friendly travel in Central and South America, women-owned restaurants, U.S. golf courses, and relaxing destinations.
Condé Nast shut down Self magazine after nearly 50 years, folding its health and wellness coverage into titles like Allure and Glamour as part of a broader restructuring.
03/ In the Zeitgeist
Justin Bieber’s headline set at Coachella was one of the most talked-about moments of the buzzy weekend, performing a mix of new and nostalgic hits and sending a 14-year-old song back to the top of the charts.
Allbirds, once a Silicon Valley sneaker success story, is pivoting to AI infrastructure and changing its name to NewBird AI. The company’s stock shot up by nearly 600% following the news.
A jury found Live Nation and Ticketmaster guilty of illegally holding monopoly power in the U.S. ticketing market. The company agreed to a series of changes and a $280 million fine.
Industry Insights
Kansas City, Missouri, will offer free travel from the airport to downtown and discounted matchday transportation during the World Cup this summer, aiming to make arrivals easier and more accessible for visitors amid rising costs.
MSC Cruises will debut Sandy Cay in 2028, a new private island in the Bahamas, in response to strong guest satisfaction at Ocean Cay, offering a more secluded experience for guests.
Hawaii’s winter has seen unusually extreme weather with several Kona low storms in March, bringing heavy rainfall and severe flooding, prompting travelers to change plans and signaling lower confidence in upcoming seasons.
U.S. travel agencies recorded a strong start to 2026, with March air ticket sales reaching $10.4 billion and passenger trips rising to 28.1 million. All three months in 2026 have seen higher total sales, fares and passenger trips year over year.
AI tools are changing the way travelers research vacations, helping them decide where to go and when. Despite AI’s growing role in planning, 68% of travelers prefer to book with trusted brands over AI platforms, citing concerns around control, privacy, and support when issues arise.
Delta is updating its Delta One suites on select long-haul aircraft in 2027, adding longer lie-flat beds, extra cushioning, and more leg room for improved comfort.
The United Kingdom introduced a new entry requirement mandating an electronic travel authorization (ETA) or visa for most foreign visitors before boarding their flight.
Luxury travel is shifting toward more meaningful experiences, with travelers seeking deeper personal connection and cultural immersion over traditional luxury.
The Good
Icelandair is on the search for a “really bad photographer,” offering a free 10-day trip to Iceland and $50,000 to one winner in a campaign designed to prove that anyone can take great photos in the country’s stunning landscapes. The “job” was even posted on LinkedIn.
