D/R DOWNLOAD 5.16
What’s Trending
01/ On Google
“Tours by locals” trended +90% this week, illustrating how travelers desire to connect with a destination through its local community.
02/ With Media
This week, media were interested in this year’s top Pride destinations, the best Father’s Day travel experiences, top travel deals for June, can’t-miss Wild-West towns, best Memorial Day travel destinations and deals, and more.
Industry Insights
More than 45 million Americans are expected to travel over Memorial Day weekend, the most in 20 years, according to AAA. About 39.4 million people will drive, thanks in part to lower gas prices making road trips more affordable.
Expedia reports a surge in searches for unconventional summer destinations like Zurich (+225%), Tbilisi (+145%), and Gothenburg (+135%), driven by the rise of “coolcations” and interest in lesser-visited destinations.
With summer travel and dining on the rise, Uber is introducing new features to make outings easier and more affordable. Perks include steep discounts for Uber One members, exclusive restaurant deals via a new Dine Out feature in partnership with OpenTable, and a forward-looking plan to launch shared rides with Volkswagen starting in 2026.
As economic and safety concerns grow, more U.S. travelers are choosing road trips over flights. A drop in oil prices and recent high-profile airplane safety incidents have travelers thinking twice about flying, resulting in a shift toward more affordable and flexible travel by car.
A new Federal Trade Commission (FTC) rule requires all fees to be included in the upfront price of hotel rooms, rentals, and event tickets. While the total cost won’t change, the rule bans hidden fees and bait-and-switch pricing, giving consumers a clearer view of what they’re paying.
Many travelers are spending more to walk in the footsteps of their favorite on-screen stories as set-jetting, the trend of traveling to destinations featured in TV shows and movies, continues to grow in popularity. Visiting these locations gives fans a sense of nostalgia and a deeper, more immersive travel experience.
Mexico will introduce a new cruise passenger fee starting July 1, 2025, beginning at $5 per person and increasing incrementally to $21 by August 2028. This revised plan replaces an earlier proposal of a $42 flat fee, which faced criticism from the cruise industry for its potential economic impact.
Expedia’s new Trip Matching tool lets Instagram users send reels to @Expedia to receive a custom itinerary based on the video content. Powered by AI, the tool analyzes the visuals to generate a personalized travel plan, set to launch for U.S. users in the coming weeks.
Crowne Plaza by IHG is leaning into the rise of blended travel with a new global campaign and white paper exploring shifting guest priorities. As 66% of U.S. and U.K. travelers now combine business with leisure, the brand is enhancing its hotels to better support both productivity and relaxation, solidifying its position as a leader in the evolving travel landscape
After a pandemic-induced pause, Airbnb is relaunching its Experiences platform with a global campaign focused on personalized, local adventures aimed at rekindling meaningful travel. The company is also rolling out new concierge-style services and appealing to budget-conscious travelers as it works to rebound from softer earnings and compete more directly with traditional hotels.
A new Skift analysis reveals stark disparities in CEO-to-median employee pay across major travel companies, with hotel giants like Hilton, Las Vegas Sands, and Marriott reporting ratios as high as 577:1. While some companies argue there’s no standard method for calculating the figures, the wide gaps underscore growing scrutiny around executive compensation in the hospitality and travel sectors.
Newark Liberty International Airport faced its third air traffic control system outage in less than two weeks, triggering a 45-minute ground stop and more than 250 flight delays and cancellations. In response, the FAA will temporarily scale back flight operations to ease congestion and bolster safety.
The Good
Booking.com signed a multi-year deal to become the official online travel partner of both the WNBA and NBA, with the partnership set to tip off on May 16, aligning with the start of the 2025 WNBA season.
