D/R DOWNLOAD 8.1
What’s Trending
01/ On Google
“Tracee Ellis Ross solo travel show” trended +850% this week as the actress and founder's new show “Solo Traveling With Tracee Ellis Ross” premiered on The Roku Channel. The three-episode series follows Ross on vacations to Marrakech, Mexico’s Riviera Maya, and Marbella, Spain, highlighting the joys of exploring the world on your own.
02/ With Media
This week, media were interested in top LGBTQ-welcoming small Towns in North America, how eco-conscious stays are redefining luxury, solar eclipse cruises, best rooftop bars in the U.S., and more.
Dotdash Meredith has rebranded as People Inc., aligning its identity with its most iconic brand. At a time when concerns over generative AI are running high, the branding is an affirmation of the company’s commitment to human creativity. CEO Neil Vogel has also noted that the company has ramped up publishing at other properties to match People’s fast-paced news cycle.
03/ In the Zeitgeist
A Delta flight from Salt Lake City to Amsterdam made an emergency landing in Minneapolis after severe turbulence injured 25 people. The turbulence struck over Wyoming, sending service carts and unbelted passengers into the air. The FAA and NTSB are investigating.
Vogue’s August 2025 issue included advertisements from Guess that featured models created using artificial intelligence. The campaign was developed by Seraphinne Vallora, a London-based marketing agency specializing in AI-driven content, whose work has also appeared in publications such as Elle, The Wall Street Journal, and Harper’s Bazaar. The revelation that AI-generated models were included in the pages of Vogue sparked a debate about the implications for real-life models.
A major earthquake off the coast of Russia set off widespread tsunami alerts and evacuations all across the Pacific. This is the strongest earthquake recorded since 2011, the sixth largest ever recorded. As a result, moderate tsunami waves reached Hawai‘i and the West Coast. While no major damage was reported, lingering flight disruptions are expected, and strong coastline currents remain of concern.
Industry Insights
Hotels are tapping into the rise of literary travel, offering book-themed getaways and retreats where the reading list reflects the destination. Travelers are seeking stories that connect to place, blending setting, story, and stay.
Regenerative farm stays are reframing wellness travel. These eco-minded retreats combine sustainability with comfort, inviting guests to engage with local agriculture, food systems, and the land itself.
Baby Boomers are currently the highest in-destination spenders, with 23% spending over $6,000 per trip, outpacing Millennials (17%) and Gen X (16%) according to a quarterly travel trends report from Phocuswright. Millennials lead the lowest bracket, with 32% spending $1,000 or less.
Beginning in mid-2025, U.S. citizens traveling to most European countries will need to apply for ETIAS, a new electronic travel authorization. It’s required for visits under 90 days and costs a small fee. Once approved, it’s valid for three years or until the traveler’s passport expires.
Tourism numbers in Las Vegas are declining, and service workers are seeing the effects. Hotel occupancy is down, spending is lower, and fewer Canadian tourists are coming to the city, leading to reduced income for restaurant staff, entertainers, and other tipped employees.
Corporate gatherings in 2025 are moving away from traditional meetings toward balance-seeking agendas. These gatherings feature plant-based menus, mocktails instead of cocktails, mindfulness breaks, and group fitness sessions to boost engagement and well-being. This shift reflects a broader trend where companies prioritize team health and productivity by integrating restorative experiences into business travel.
The Good
Playing off of the social media parodies of the typical email greeting “I hope this email finds you well!” that are followed with humorous and dramatized images of how the email finds recipients, Yahoo's “How Your Email Found Me” campaign playfully celebrates escaping work emails during summer. The company launched a merch line featuring "How Your Email Found Me" t-shirts. Amplified through TikTok and Instagram, the campaign reflects Yahoo’s push to connect with online culture and position Yahoo Mail as the go-to inbox for personal life.
The Bad
American Eagle’s new denim campaign featuring Sydney Sweeney, built around the slogan “Sydney Sweeney has great jeans/genes,” has drawn backlash for its play on heredity, sparking debate over race, privilege, and Western beauty ideals.
