D/R DOWNLOAD 6.6

What’s Trending

01/ On Google

• “Best Places To Travel in September” trended +50% this week, indicating travelers are looking ahead and into fall for travel plans. 

02/ With Media

• This week, media were interested in hotels and resorts bringing back the magic of summer camp, U.S. beaches for 4th of July fireworks, top events in July, the best places to go in 2026, and more. 

03/ In the Zeitgeist

• Mount Etna experienced a massive eruption on Monday, June 2. Despite being one of the most active volcanoes in the world, the Italy-based volcano had not seen an eruption of this magnitude since 2014. 

• Meta plans to use artificial intelligence to produce advertising materials for brands by the end of next year. The content will include imagery, video, and text, and can be tailored to specific audiences based on geolocation and time.

Industry Insights

• Booking.com’s summer 2025 travel report revealed that nearly half of global travelers plan to spend more than they did in 2024, with trending destinations like Hurghada, Egypt, Tokyo, Japan, and Alicante, Spain, leading the way for families, couples, and groups. Alternative stays such as villas, chalets, and riads are also on the rise.

• Airbnb revealed its travel trends for summer 2025, with local, affordable foodie destinations, fandom travel, and spontaneous staycations leading the way. 

• Many Canadians have shifted their travel plans away from the United States, leading to a rise in Caribbean tourism, with ForwardKeys reporting a 22% increase in flight searches to the region, while the  Caribbean Tourism Organization notes that at least six island nations have seen a growth in Canadian visitors.

• Tourism in Latin America is rapidly growing, led by Mexico, Costa Rica, Argentina, Brazil, Peru, and Ecuador. Key trends include expanding air connectivity, boosting authentic cultural experiences, managing seasonality, blending culture and nature in tourism, and offering personalized trips with diverse lodging to meet evolving traveler demands.

• Intrepid Travel is launching activist-led trips to iconic national parks like the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone, combining adventure with discussions on conservation and access. These small-group tours aim to raise awareness about budget cuts and environmental challenges while supporting nonprofits protecting America’s public lands.

• Destinations such as Tokyo, Japan, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and Beijing, China have witnessed surges in global travel interest for 2025 while cities like Brussels, Las Vegas, Nevada, and London have seen declines, according to new Google search data analyzed by Insure and Go. Experts have related the decline to factors like high prices, rising crime, and the end of tax-free shopping for EU tourists. 

• International tourism to the U.S. has declined, with overseas arrivals down 6% and European bookings falling 12% through August, while a recent Travel Weekly survey shows that nearly 58% of travel advisors reported a decline in 2025 bookings. Travelers cite economy, price sensitivity, political tensions, immigration concerns, and tariffs.

• Shoebox hotel rooms have increased in popularity within urban hospitality, offering solo 

• Haribo recalled packets of sweets in the Netherlands after some were found to contain traces of cannabis, causing several people to feel unwtravelers a cozier, more affordable option without sacrificing key amenities. These compact spaces feature the same perks as standard rooms – like minibars, private bathrooms, and fitness center access – with the main trade-off being a twin-size bed instead of a queen or king.

• Lonely Planet released its first LGBTQ+ travel guide, offering a comprehensive and empowering resource for queer travelers. The guide spotlights destinations where travelers can feel safe, welcomed, and at ease. 

• Newark Liberty International Airport’s runway reopened 13 days ahead of schedule. The airport had been operating at reduced capacity during a $121 million rehabilitation project that included repaving, lighting upgrades, and new drainage infrastructure to meet Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) safety standards.

• Plans for a second airport in Las Vegas progressed as the FAA and the Bureau of Land Management began preparing an environmental impact statement. The proposed facility features two runways and a single terminal to ease congestion at Harry Reid International Airport, which is projected to reach full capacity by 2030.

The Good

• Wilson, the volleyball from Cast Away, stars in a new campaign by Onda Azul and Vivo to raise awareness of ocean plastic pollution. Using real data, “The Odyssey of Wilson” traces his fictional 450-year journey through the sea to show how plastics harm marine ecosystems.

The Bad

• Haribo recalled packets of sweets in the Netherlands after some were found to contain traces of cannabis, causing several people to feel unwell. The company is working with authorities to investigate the contamination, advising consumers not to eat the affected products.