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What’s Trending
01/ On Google
“Best places to travel with kids” rose +45% this week as parents search for family-friendly vacations before the new school year starts.
Searches for “extreme heat wave” jumped +400% as record-breaking heat temperatures continue to impact those across Europe and the U.S.
02/ With Media
This week the media were interested in the best places to go in 2027, hotel-hopping packages, U.S. cities for architecture buffs, and more.
03/ In the Zeitgeist
The 2026 Emmy nominations were announced, with The Pitt receiving the most nominations, followed by Hacks with 24 nominations ahead of the September ceremony.
Forbes has released their 2026 Top Creators list which is composed of 50 Youtubers, TikTok creators, and influencers, who collectively broke the billion-dollar mark, bringing in a total of $1.02 billion, a profit surge of 80% since 2022.
Industry Insights
Celiac Cruise, a fully gluten free cruise, will begin voyages through the British Isles in May 2028 in partnership with Oceania Cruises. On board there will be no items containing gluten, alleviating traveler stress of avoiding certain restaurants or food items.
Jamaica was just named the #1 most peaceful destination in the Caribbean by the Global Peace Index. Jamaica scored a 1.919 overall, with a low conflict and “militarisation” score, ranking them well above regional neighbors.
Multigenerational travel is seeing an increase as couples opt to bring their children on traditionally common honeymoon vacation spots. Destinations, resorts and airlines are beginning to shift their focus to transform their accommodations to be more family centered.
So called "gate lice," passengers who crowd the gate or try to board before their assigned group, are facing tougher enforcement from airlines. American Airlines now uses technology at more than 100 US airports to flag early boarders, while one Delta gate agent recently warned that anyone who jumped the line would have to voluntarily check their carry on luggage.
Marriott Bonvoy is giving members the chance to win tickets to the FIFA World Cup Final through its “Take Your Shot” challenge at Match Day Live fan events. Members can scan the QR code on site during the entry period for a chance to be randomly selected as one of five finalists.
G Adventures has launched “Away Games,” a collection of small-group trips that combine guided travel with live soccer matches, giving travelers the chance to experience local culture while attending games in destinations around the world.
The traditional travel "off-season" is quickly disappearing. As travelers seek to avoid extreme heat, crowds, and peak-season prices, airlines and hotels are extending service into the fall and winter months. The shift reflects growing demand toward more flexible, year-round tourism.
Research has shown that venturing outdoors and spending time in a green space can spur creative innovation. A diverse mix of park visitors, unstructured leisure activities , and impromptu interactions can inspire new ways of thinking and solving problems.
More “DINKWADs” are planning vacations centered around their dogs, choosing pet-friendly hotels and experiences that let the whole family travel together. As this demand grows, hotels and travel brands are adding more upscale amenities and services catered for pets.
Bed-and-breakfasts are continuing to set themselves apart from vacation rentals by leaning into their unique charm and one-of-a-kind experiences that many travelers would miss with a rental.
Visa has launched “Visa Destinations,” a travel platform for cardholders offering curated experiences, dining, and shopping across 10 different cities.
As Europe experiences a record-breaking heatwave, hotels are introducing creative ways to help guests stay cool, from shaded outdoor spaces and cooling amenities to redesigned rooms.
Barbuda is emerging as a luxury travel destination as new upscale hotels and homes attract more visitors, while the island prioritizes sustainable growth.
The Good
Taco Bell unveiled a new marketing campaign, “Loss or Celebration Outcome Support,” or L.O.C.O.S for short, built around the idea that tacos can help fans process any emotional state, from championship euphoria to soul-crushing defeat tied to the World Cup. The campaign allows reward members to complete weekly challenges and unlock special perks through their app, having them choose celebration or support mode before beginning.
