D/R DOWNLOAD 6.13

What’s Trending

01/ On Google

• “10 best travel credit cards” trended +250% this week, suggesting travelers are interested in ways to earn points on their summer travels and beyond.

02/ With Media

• This week, media were interested in Gen Z travel styles, historic inclusive travel destinations, hotels to learn a watersport, best places to travel during shoulder season, top travel deals for July, and more. 

• The New York Times appointed two co-chief restaurant critics, Tejal Rao and Ligaya Mishan, and is expanding into video reviews, signaling a nationwide, digital-forward refresh of its renowned dining beat.

03/ In the Zeitgeist

• Starbucks is hiring two “Global Coffee Creators” to travel the world and produce TikTok content at stores in cities like Tokyo, Milan, and Bogotá. The year-long remote role pays up to $136K, includes all travel, and requires no college degree. 

• Sardines are having a moment, and not just on plates. The petite fish is trending on TikTok, where users are showcasing sardine-inspired fashion and accessories that nod to their colorful tins. 

• Ohio State University will require all students to learn AI starting this fall through its new AI Fluency initiative, embedding AI education across majors and requiring an AI skills seminar for undergraduates, to make graduates fluent in both their field and ethical AI use. 

Industry Insights

• Pinterest’s 2025 Summer Trend Report points to a “Digital Detox Summer,” with searches for screen-free getaways, farmhouse cottage interiors, and garden-to-table cooking all on the rise. Gen Z is leaning into nature, nostalgia, and offline living. 

• The idea of “micro-cations,” bite-size itineraries lasting less than 24 hours, is gaining popularity, especially among social media creators, who are spotlighting quick, experience-packed trips that still deliver.

• Demand is rising for high-stakes adventure travel, with outfitters like Black Tomato and Pelorus crafting “Type 2 fun” itineraries – experiences that test endurance in the moment but prove deeply rewarding. Think survival missions in Peru, scuba diving in Antarctica, and stunt-inspired treks across Morocco.

• Abercrombie & Kent and Condé Nast Traveler have partnered to debut "Curated Escapes," a collection of editor-curated itineraries designed in collaboration with A&K travel experts. The first trips include a culinary deep dive through Sonoma and a cultural journey across Tokyo and Kyoto, blending immersive experiences with luxury travel.

• “AI fatigue” is setting in as more companies pull back from their artificial intelligence efforts. The percentage of organizations abandoning AI initiatives has jumped from 17% to 42%, with many shelving nearly half of their pilots.

• Scalp care is breaking ground in the wellness travel space, with haircare-focused treatments popping up at luxury resorts like Miraval Berkshires. Drawing inspiration from Japanese and Indian rituals, offerings include scalp analysis, steaming, herbal oils, and massage to promote hair health and relaxation. 

• A new wave of “decision-free” vacations is trending among women seeking a true mental reset. Designed to alleviate the pressure of planning, these all-inclusive escapes coordinate every detail, from meals to activities and logistics, so guests don’t have to make a single choice.

• As screen fatigue grows, more travelers are checking into resorts designed for digital detox. Properties like Urban Cowboy Lodge in New York, Eremito in Italy, Six Senses Vana in India, and Nimmo Bay in Canada are spotlighted for their phone-free settings, nature-forward experience, and emphasis on slow living.

• Travel writer Pico Iyer explores the dilemma of sharing hidden travel gems and keeping them sacred. Drawing from his decades of living in Kyoto, he writes about the joy of discovery, the burden of exposure, and the balance between guiding others and protecting places.

• Norway is set to impose a 3% tourist tax in summer 2026, aimed at easing the strain of overtourism. Local municipalities will be able to implement the tax by demonstrating pressure on public resources, with the fee applying to hotels, guesthouses, short-term rentals, and cruise ships.

• Marriott launched MARRIOTT MEDIA, a new ad network targeting its 237 million Bonvoy members. Expect brand placements across Marriott’s digital platforms, in-room content, and Bonvoy TV, blending advertising with the travel experience.

• Regent Seven Seas Cruises unveiled plans for the Skyview Regent Suite, debuting in 2026 aboard the new Seven Seas Prestige. Billed as the world’s largest all-inclusive luxury cruise suite, it spans 8,700 square feet across two levels and includes a private spa, gym, dining room, butler service, and more.

• The NOAA is predicting an above-normal Atlantic hurricane season for 2025, with as many as 25 named storms expected. Warm ocean waters and the return of La Niña conditions are cited as key factors, and the agency is encouraging travelers in at-risk areas to make preparations early, as the season runs from June through November.

The Good

• Edible landed in an unexpected spotlight after one of its fruit arrangements was jokingly called “hot garbage” on Netflix’s Sirens. The brand embraced the moment, renaming a top-selling bouquet the “Hot Garbage” bundle and sending custom versions to the cast. The campaign sparked widespread, earned media coverage and social buzz.