D/R DOWNLOAD 12.13

What’s Trending

01/ On Google

• “Last-minute holiday travel deals” trended +1,750% this week, highlighting how travelers are looking to get away on a budget this holiday season.

02/ With Media

• This week, media were interested in the best 2025 solo travel destinations, the best autism-friendly resorts, cruise news, WAVE season offers, and more.

03/ In the Zeitgeist

• In Google Trends’ 2024 roundup, Copa América, the Olympics and Central Park were among the most searched terms.

• TIME has unveiled President-elect Donald Trump as 2024’s Person of the Year. His interview details his reflection on his campaign and top priorities once in office. 

Industry Insights

• Luxury travel is expected to see further growth due to favorable trends, including post-pandemic consumer behavior and the wealth flow to the younger generation.

• Chase Travel released its 25 Trips to Take in 2025 based on booking trends and in-house travel experts. Some noteworthy trends included Labor Day weekend winning the busiest travel time of the year and an overall increase in 2025 travel. 

• Global Tourism will achieve full recovery from the pandemic by the end of this year, according to the World Tourism Barometer. After only nine months into the year, global tourism levels reached 98% of pre-pandemic levels, marking a high level of resiliency. 

• Skift’s 2025 Megatrends looks back at a five-year trend analysis of where the travel industry will go. Some predictions were accurate, like the impact of the "work from anywhere" movement on business travel and Asia’s shift toward regional trips, while others, like the rise of subscription models, had limited success.

• Google's 2024 Year in Search highlights trending travel topics, with people increasingly seeking active adventures like hiking and exploring top babymoon and solo travel destinations. The most searched locations include New York's Dater Mountain Nature Park, Las Vegas' Sphere, and popular solo destinations like Bali and Glacier National Park.

• Travel organization AAA estimates 119 million people are expected to travel 50 miles or more during the Christmas season, a 3% increase from last year. 

• Travel agents are unhappy with the fam trip model, especially following the launch of the alternative program, “PACE.” Frustrations include room-sharing, little free time and overall disorganization. 

• Despite the rise in green initiatives, a 2023 study reveals a widening gap between corporate sustainability claims and consumer trust, worsened by greenwashing and greenhushing. Anti-PR offers a solution by emphasizing authenticity, transparency, and data-driven communication to rebuild trust and foster meaningful ESG engagement.

• The Arctic tundra, previously a carbon sink, is now emitting more carbon than it stores due to thawing permafrost and increased wildfires. This shift highlights the accelerating climate crisis as the Arctic warms faster than the global average.

• The carbon footprint of the travel industry is growing rapidly, with emissions from international tourism increasing by 3.5% annually, twice the rate of the global economy. To address this, countries will need to begin monitoring tourism emissions at the national level, something only New Zealand and Denmark are currently doing.

• Thailand is bracing for over 1.5 million tourists expected to visit between December 21 and January 1. According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand, this is due to a strategic initiative involving visa exceptions and introducing additional flights.

• Disney is investing $12 billion to launch seven new cruise ships by 2031. The company is maximizing its room for growth in the cruise industry, which has exceeded pre-pandemic demand. 

• United Airlines has introduced a new tool for travelers with lost luggage. Using Apple AirTags or other Find My network accessories, passengers can now share the location of their misplaced bags directly with United’s customer service team.

The Good

• Spain has passed a law granting employees up to four days of paid climate leave following the deadly floods that killed over 200 people last month. The law ensures workers are not penalized for staying home during extreme weather events and mandates companies to implement climate emergency risk-prevention measures.

• David's Bridal, Five Below and Sports Basement are Doordash's new on-demand retail partners, marking Doordash’s continued expansion beyond food delivery. David’s Bridal is the first addition to Doordash’s new wedding and special occasion category.

The Bad

• Influencer Dominique Brown tragically passed away at a BoxLunch event due to a reported preventative food allergy, highlighting the importance of improved communication, enhanced protocols, and a steadfast dedication to safety at events.