Travel and Leisure

Leveraging QR technology to create a frictionless customer experience, a new multilateral program allows people to pay seamlessly across borders. After a pandemic-induced boom in frictionless shopping, people are looking for seamless purchasing journeys at home and abroad.

JetBlue will start to offer customers the chance to purchase non-alcoholic beer during domestic flights – the first major US airline to do so. As sober-curious people reevaluate their relationship with alcohol, there's an expectation of wider drinks choice across leisure moments.

Rip Curl held a virtual surfing competition using data from wearers of its Search GPS smartwatch. While Australians still have concerns about what brands do with their location data, they could be more likely to give it up if businesses clarify how it will be used and what people stand to gain.

Luxury resorts are offering mindful escapes centred around yoga and nature for kids, helping them to grow and connect with the outdoors. As declining mental health among children becomes a pressing concern, there are expectations for brands to help kids develop healthy practices from an early age.

The Four Seasons in the Maldives has become a central hub for marine research on coral spawning. With the imminent threat of climate crisis, luxury brands are increasingly embracing opportunities to find positive solutions that tackle environmental issues while staying relevant amid rising prices.

Saudi travel company Almosafer is introducing a ChatGPT-powered assistant to help customers plan their holidays. Though AI is shaking up the travel industry thanks to its ability to deliver convenience and personalisation, its application could be limited to simpler enquiries for the time being.

The North Face launched a pop-up camp experience in Shanghai, aimed at people seeking escapism from city life through experiences that reconnect with nature and the outdoors. The event appealed to not only adventure seekers but also the Urbancore fashion trend loved by young Chinese fashionistas.

Fortuna Dusseldorf has launched an initiative to strengthen the bond between club and city by making attendance to home games free for all. Taking an empathetic approach, the club hopes to make fans feel part of a community while offering a unique budget-friendly experience amid inflation.

Saudi Arabia is joining hands with Italy’s Arsenale Group to launch a five-star luxury train that’s inspired by the Orient Express. As travel becomes a form of self-care and indulgence, people are seeking refuge in otherworldly opulence and flexible getaways that cater to their needs.

Expedia and Kayak have become the first travel agencies to partner with OpenAI, bringing ChatGPT’s chatbot function to their platforms to help travelers book trips. People are increasingly open to using AI to get recommendations and brands are using the technology to ease the booking process.

In a departure from its usual card-only offering, DoorDash Drive is giving restaurants the option to get paid for deliveries in cash. The move speaks to a growing societal need for flexibility and financial autonomy in times of economic crisis, as people turn to physical cash as a budgeting tool.

Visit Finland is sharing the joy with a Masterclass of Happiness that teaches ten lucky winners the Finnish approach to cultivating content mindsets. The theory is that their happiness is rooted in a strong connection to nature and offers a chance for others to facilitate mindful moments outdoors.

High noise levels in Canadian restaurants have led to some employees suffering hearing loss. Sound-level review app SoundPrint, which took off in the hearing health community, lists quieter ones while helping establishments bring their volume down and their customers back.

Classical opera's historical reputation for inaccessibility is being challenged by a modern reinterpretation of the Italian classic, Turandot. The fusion of digital art and classical opera promises a singular, unforgettable, and immersive experience that resonates with contemporary audiences.

Shrek Raves, inspired by the 2001 DreamWorks animated movie, are taking off in popularity among Gen Z partygoers. At the intersection of nostalgia and cringe, it embodies Gen Z's yearning for comfort and unapologetic realness as they seek experiences that bring them together.

After the lifting of pandemic restrictions, government officials from rural Chinese destinations are turning to videos incorporating historical and cultural elements to attract domestic tourists. The move appeals to national pride and desire for rustic lifestyles, especially among young urbanites.

Despite the economic downturn, tourism in France is bouncing back – signalling a demand for travel to pre-pandemic hotspots. But while international visitors are returning in droves, improvements to infrastructure and green initiatives are emerging to incentivise more domestic travel.

I Love NY, a travel initiative launched by New York Governor Kathy Hochul, hopes to entice Black vacationers by spotlighting the state's cultural offerings. By encouraging visitors to explore the state through the lens of Black culture, it's also hoped that Black businesses and venues will benefit.

Porsche’s Roads app has been updated to use AI that seeks out roads that are fun to drive for their own sake, letting users seek out the scenic route. Many Americans are falling back in love with their cars after the pandemic and are looking for brands to help facilitate IRL discovery.

Recognising that pop culture has a clear draw for visitors, the Korea Tourism Organisation has launched a series of Hallyu-themed travel courses. With South Korea's cultural output resonating with audiences across the globe, the guides provide an opportunity for immersive holiday experiences.

Saga Holiday's campaign challenges misconceptions about travellers over 50 by subverting tropes and showing their adventurous side. The campaign is indicative of this audience's appetite for travel post-pandemic as they seek new experiences and overthrow archaic attitudes about later life.

A survey has revealed that Chinese travellers are prioritising luxury accommodation on holiday and are willing to splurge on hotels over other experiences. Following the end of China's zero-COVID policy, travel habits in the country are shifting to prioritise experiences over shopping.

Hong Kong is offering half a million air tickets to visitors for free in a bid to revitalise tourism after three years of travel curbs. As tourists seek to re-experience Hong Kong, their desire for authenticity and nostalgia provides an opportunity for brands to leverage hyper-local marketing.

Reusable cups have been made mandatory across football stadiums in Germany's top divisions. As football's relationship with the climate grows increasingly uneasy, German clubs are boosting their sustainability efforts, showing how some clubs are leading by example and how others could follow suit.

While many travellers remain reliant on tech when on the move, physical map sales are on the rise among Gen Yers and Zers. This surging interest in analogue navigation methods suggests some are shunning the convenience of technology in favour of authentic discovery and adventure.

Two airlines are poised to offer full-sized bunk beds and dedicated stretching zones on trans-Pacific flights to New York, choosing to offer comfort in lieu of packing planes to the gills. Travellers are looking for seamless, unique, and indulgent experiences after years away from long-haul flights.

A report has highlighted the social value that EFL Clubs play in supporting communities across England and Wales. With the sport being seen as an increasingly elitist affair, its findings demonstrate the importance of football teams at a local level and show the benefits that they can bring.

Over-crowded corridors and winding queues have long been a part of the Louvre's identity. Yet, the museum is changing gears and focusing on offering a slower museum experience to its visitors, meeting people's demands for quality over quantity in their travel experiences.

Blending Japanese heritage with vibrant modern culture and the country's natural landscape, Shiguchi is creating a fresh style of Japanese resort. With people increasingly desiring to immerse themselves in local culture, Shiguchi wants to inspire guests to reconnect with nature and tradition.

Package holidays are expected to make a comeback in 2023 as people look to experts following years of travel disruption. With tourists looking for security, familiarity, and simplicity from their holidays, there are opportunities to cater to these attitudes and take the fuss out of travelling.

Saudi Arabia has won its bid to host the 2029 Asian Winter Games and is set to develop an ambitious winter resort megaproject to enable the event. But public awareness of sportswashing is creating a difficult environment for nations wanting to sanitise their reputation without reformation.

Sri Lanka’s expected tourism boom is set to coincide with the launch of a mobile travel safety app. While the easing of restrictions has sparked a renewed interest in global exploration, the introduction of added safety measures highlights the lingering travel hesitation after the pandemic.

France and Ireland have partnered to launch a combined ferry ticket that will simplify travel between the two countries. Aimed at Gen Zers, the scheme seeks to liberate eco-conscious travellers and quell the rise of careless jet-setting by providing convenient, environmentally-friendly options.

BabyQuip has launched an app aiming to ease the practical issues that arise when traveling with young children by providing parents with equipment rental options for when they're on the move. The service looks to satisfy the post-pandemic urge to travel without sacrificing home comforts.

The AFLW has joined a growing number of professional sporting institutions by removing white shorts from women’s and girls’ kits. With the Australian public keen on their sports, brands can be supporting amateur athletes who might feel anxious about staying active during menstruation.

A record number of pilgrims travelled to Mexico in 2022 to join the pilgrimage to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The uncertainty of the pandemic has boosted many people's faith, and now faced with no restrictions, they are reinforcing their belief with in-person worship.