D/R DOWNLOAD 7.11

What’s Trending

01/ On Google

• “Post vacation blues ” trended +190% this week, as more summer travelers experience the post-trip slump as routines resume and inboxes fill up.

02/ With Media

• This week, media were interested in the “townsizing” travel trend, high-end fishing experiences, America’s most beautiful vineyards, hotel design trends, where to go in October, and more.

03/ In the Zeitgeist

• McDonald’s beloved Snack Wrap has officially returned as a permanent menu item after nearly a decade. Its comeback follows years of consumer demand, including a 17,000-signature petition, and lands amid a competitive wave of wrap launches from rivals like Wendy’s, Taco Bell, and Popeyes. 

• U.S. online shoppers spent $7.9B on the first day of Amazon’s four-day Prime Day sale, up nearly 10% from 2024, per Adobe. Amazon says it’s “pleased” with results, projecting $23.8B in total online spend across all retailers. This year marks Prime Day’s first four-day run, with extended competing sales from Walmart, Best Buy, and Kohl’s.

Industry Insights

• Global leisure travel spending is forecasted to triple to $15 trillion by 2040, according to a new report from Boston Consulting Group. The survey, conducted across 11 countries, highlights Millennials and Gen Z as the most influential travelers, prioritizing experiences and cultural exploration over traditional travel. 

• The U.S. travel industry is preparing for a historic surge ahead of America’s 250th anniversary in 2026. Tour operators and DMOs are launching history-themed itineraries, from colonial experiences to coastal seaboard road trips. Brand USA is promoting "America250" packages focused on cultural immersion, food traditions, and visits to iconic destinations like Washington, D.C.

• Instagram will soon extend its reach beyond the app. As of July 10, photos and videos from professional accounts will be automatically indexed by search engines like Google, unless users opt out manually. Previously an opt-in feature, the shift marks a broader integration of social and search strategies. 

• Hilton has opened its first LivSmart Studios hotel in Tullahoma, Tennessee, catering to long-stay business travelers. Designed for guests staying 10+ nights, the property offers studio-style rooms, communal laundry, fitness amenities, and outdoor grilling areas. A second location in Kokomo, Indiana, is set to open later this summer.

• American Airlines will introduce a new elite tier, AAdvantage Business Select, on July 21, offering companies that spend $250,000+ annually benefits like fare savings, preferred boarding, and instant access to company-earned miles for free and transferrable travel.

• The TSA is quietly rolling out a new policy at select airports, including LaGuardia, that no longer requires travelers to remove their shoes at security checkpoints. The change, previously limited to PreCheck passengers, comes amid improvements in screening technology and could signal a wider shift in U.S. airport security procedures.

• Rome will host the 2025 WTTC Global Summit from September 28–30 at the Auditorium Parco della Musica. Backed by Italy’s Ministry of Tourism, ENIT, and the Lazio Region, the event underscores Italy’s position in global luxury, cruising, fashion, and wellness tourism.

• The Senate has confirmed Bryan Bedford, former CEO of Republic Airways, as the new head of the Federal Aviation Administration. He was approved in a 53 to 43 vote and will lead the agency during a time of safety concerns and staffing shortages. Supporters say his airline experience will help improve the FAA, while critics worry about his ties to the industry and his lack of a clear stance on important pilot training rules.

• American Airlines is launching a new level in its AAdvantage Business program called AAdvantage Business Select. Starting July 21, companies that spend at least $250,000 annually on travel with American will qualify. The new tier offers benefits like access to company-earned miles right away, savings on certain fares, preferred boarding, and more perks aimed at rewarding higher-spending businesses.

The Good

• Goldfish launched a playful Fourth of July activation on the Jersey Shore with its “Goldfish Retrieval Service.” The roadside pop-up offered free car cleanings, complete with interior vacuuming and a bright orange exterior wash, designed for summer road-trippers. Guests also sampled snacks from a 15-flavor “Flavor Wall” and could purchase limited-edition Goldfish car mats online for $20.

The Bad

• The New York Times Games team issued a prompt correction this week after the unfortunate timing of its summer camp-themed Strands puzzle. The puzzle went live just days after devastating floods in Texas claimed the lives of 120 people, including 27 at Camp Mystic in Kerr County. The Times quickly replaced the puzzle and shared an apology on Instagram, noting that puzzle themes are created weeks in advance and acknowledging that the timing “may have felt insensitive and poorly timed.