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What’s Trending
01/ On Google
“Happiest European travel destination Positano” rose +2,300%, suggesting growing interest in destinations that are associated with feel-good, memorable travel experiences.
02/ With Media
This week, the media were interested in short getaways that will change your life, art hotels, soccer tourism, Halloween destinations where popular movies were filmed and tropical vacations for HNWI.
Meta has reached a landmark settlement of up to $17.1 billion with dozens of U.S. states over allegations that Facebook and Instagram were designed to addict young users and contributed to the youth mental health crisis. The deal also requires major changes to teen safety features, including usage limits, nighttime restrictions and stronger parental controls.
03/ In the Zeitgeist
ShopMy, an affiliate platform that allows users to earn commissions, is part of the broader rise of affiliate marketing beyond traditional influencers, as brands increasingly turn creators, publishers and everyday consumers into revenue-driving product recommenders.
Behr has named Grounded, a mossy olive green with subtle brown undertones, its 2027 Color of the Year. The nature-inspired shade reflects a wider shift toward earthy, restorative interiors, with new research from the company showing 77% of Americans turn to nature when life feels chaotic.
Dolly Parton, the superstar singer and songwriter whose music spoke to millions, has died at 80. The country music icon was known for songs including “Jolene,” “9 to 5” and “I Will Always Love You,” as well as her work as an actress, businesswoman and philanthropist.
A catastrophic flash flood along the Nepal-Tibet border has killed hundreds and left more than 1,000 people missing, including foreign tourists. The disaster, triggered by a glacier collapse, has devastated communities and infrastructure in the region.
Industry Insights
“Lore-tripping” is emerging as a top fall travel trend centered on exploring the stories, myths, history and cultural lore behind a destination, with travelers seeking deeper connections to places rather than simply checking off major attractions.
Millennials and Gen Z are driving a resurgence of in-person socializing as people raised on swiping, DMs and streaming look for more meaningful IRL connection. From chess clubs and birdwatching groups to meet-cute dating events and dinner parties with strangers, low-pressure gatherings are gaining traction amid growing concerns around loneliness.
Hotels are extending the guest experience beyond traditional amenities throughlimited-edition cocktail collaborations with food and beverage brands. The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad, for example, partnered with Via Carota Craft Cocktails on co-branded bottled cocktails available exclusively through the hotel’s in-room Honor Bars.
Shaved-ice cocktails are emerging as a playful new bar trend, with bartenders transforming classics like martinis and daiquiris into colorful, snow cone-like drinks designed to be as photogenic as they are refreshing.
Micro dramas, serialized vertical video stories told in one- to three-minute episodes, are emerging as a new form of entertainment and marketing. Brands like Albertsons, JCPenney and Crocs are creating their own cliffhanger-driven series to engage audiences across multiple episodes rather than relying on traditional ads.
France and Saudi Arabia have reached an agreement for the latter to invest$7 billion in a sprawling new manga-themed entertainment complex outside Paris. The project is expected to include three theme parks, with at least one land dedicated to the Japanese anime series Dragon Ball Z.
Canadians are increasingly boycotting U.S. travel amid escalating trade tensions, with British Columbia Premier David Eby urging residents to choose other destinations. Canadian trips to the U.S. fell 25.4% in 2025, while travel to Europe and Asia increased.
The Bad
Golf media brandGood Good Golf is facing backlash over a since-deleted Callaway ad depicting a co-founder shoving a female employee to the ground over a golf club. The companies apologized following criticism that the ad trivialized violence against women, sparking broader conversations about brand responsibility and the standards advertisers should uphold in their creative work.
