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What’s Trending
01/ On Google
“Nature travel” rose +100% as travelers look to the outdoors for fresh air, reconnection and a chance to unwind after a busy summer.
02/ With Media
This week, the media were interested in nostalgic fall experiences, Christmas market cruises, private islands, haunted hotels, remote nature lodges, destinations for non-family Thanksgiving, literary festivals and more.
03/ In the Zeitgeist
Fat Bear Week returns for the 12th annual competition hosted by Alaska’s Katmai National Park and Reserve, with 16 brown bears competing in a public vote to determine which bear has gained the most impressive winter-ready weight after months of feasting on salmon.
A Glee reboot is officially in the works, with creator Ryan Murphy revealing that the script is finished and around 10 original cast members are interested in returning.
Letterboxd's growing advertising revenue has caught the eyes of Sony, A24 and The New York Times Company, all seeking to acquire the popular film platform currently valued at more than $300 million.
Industry Insights
Winter is losing its status as travel’s traditional off-season, as travelers increasingly seek out destinations across Europe, Asia, Australia and Latin America during the colder months. Milder weather, fewer crowds and seasonal experiences are encouraging travelers to rethink when and where they take winter trips.
Private train travel is gaining new interest as travelers look for slower, more unique ways to see the country, with privately owned rail cars offering bedrooms, dining rooms and panoramic lounges that make the journey itself part of the vacation.
November is becoming an increasingly popular time for trips as travelers are extending the fall travel season in search of lower rates and fewer crowds. Autumn bookings are up 59%, with fall trends pointing toward growing interest in road trips, weekend getaways, fall foliage and “groundhopping.”
More parents are embracing solo travel as a chance to step away from daily routines, with even a short trip offering time to recharge, reconnect with themselves and enjoy the freedom of traveling on their own.
Hungary’s Tokaj wine region is seeking an uptick in attention as travelers look beyond Europe’s more popular wine destinations for fewer crowds and more affordable tastings. The region is renowned for its historic wineries, local food and famous sweet wine.
Michelin announced 470 new Michelin Key hotels across 79 destinations as part of its 2026 selection, with destinations including Kazakhstan, Rwanda and Mongolia receiving Keys for the first time. The expansion could help put lesser-known destinations on travelers’ radar and encourage longer stays and increased spending, building on Michelin’s influence in culinary travel.
Delta and Airbnb are teaming up to let travelers earn SkyMiles through Airbnb. Starting May 5, travelers can link their Airbnb and Delta accounts to earn 1 mile per dollar on eligible stays and 3 miles per dollar on experiences and services.
Airlines are cutting flights ahead of the holiday season as fuel costs rise, with United, American and Southwest among the carriers adjusting service. With holiday demand still strong and airfares already up more than 23% year over year, the cuts could mean fewer options and higher prices for travelers heading into the holidays.
Qantas announced the first-ever direct flight from Australia to New York, planned to embark from Sydney (SYD) to John F. Kennedy (JFK) in mid-2028 as part of their “Project Sunrise” routes. Tickets are set to go on sale in August 2027 for the planes built with only 238 seats and “well-being zones” ensuring passengers can sustain the 18-hour flight.
La Compagnie is launching the first direct flight from North America to Düsseldorf next spring, with up to five weekly flights from Newark beginning April 21, 2027. The all business class airline will operate the route with 76 lie flat seats, giving travelers a new luxurious nonstop option to western Germany.
Disney avoided the usual theme-park summer slowdown by releasing an abundance of discounts and promotions for cheaper hotel packages, Disney branded credit-card deals and new attractions, driving attendance up 3% compared to the previous year.
The Bad
Converse pulled a Chuck 70 X campaign featuring K-pop star Karina after viewers criticized the imagery for carrying racist and historical connotations, sparking backlash over the ad and the brand’s approval process. Converse apologized, saying it “got this wrong," and removed the campaign.
Netflix has drawn criticism for using an AI-generated likeness of late actor Gene Wilder to promote its upcoming Willy Wonka inspired reality show, raising questions about the ethics and consent involved in digitally recreating deceased performers.
