Listen to today’s podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/silk-logic-travel-daily/id1842162269
Travel Daily Podcast — October 21, 2025
Today’s podcast episode was created from the following stories:
Brand USA targets 9 countries with new tourism campaign amid travel slump
Brand USA launched its “America the Beautiful” campaign across nine key international markets, aiming to revive inbound travel after an 80% cut in federal funding and the first drop in overseas visits in five years. The push includes digital and video ads plus an AI-powered, multilingual trip-planning site. With major events on the horizon—from the World Cup to America’s 250th—this campaign is designed to restore demand and sentiment for U.S. travel.
Fliggy reports surge in booking among college students during 2025 National Day holiday as Gen Z travelers dominate
Gen Z led China’s National Day/Mid-Autumn travel on Fliggy, with college student flight bookings up 63% year over year and international trips surging 110%. Average order values for activities rose 14.6% as travelers favored multi-destination itineraries and experiences, while car rentals jumped 60% and domestic experience bookings climbed 78%. Fliggy’s AI assistant AskMe saw usage skyrocket, highlighting how tech is shaping higher-value, experience-led travel.
New Soarin’ Across America coming to EPCOT at Disney World & Disneyland
Disney will debut Soarin’ Across America in summer 2026 at EPCOT and Disney California Adventure as part of its “Disney Celebrates America” initiative for the nation’s 250th anniversary. The refreshed attraction will showcase U.S. natural wonders and iconic cityscapes, aiming for fewer visual distortions and a more “real” feel than Soarin’ Around the World. It’s a patriotic, crowd-pleasing update that could anchor Disney’s July 4 programming.
Global Hotel Alliance reports solid Q3 performance as 2025 growth momentum continues through summer months
GHA posted Q3 total hotel revenues of $813 million (+18% YoY) and room revenue of $657 million (+19%), driven by international stays and the strength of its GHA DISCOVERY program, now topping 32 million members. New enrollments rose 38%, redemptions climbed 39%, and cross-brand revenues hit $109 million in Q3. The alliance expects record member activity and a strong finish to the year, signaling resilient demand across key markets.
Adults-only 4⭐️ all-inclusive Majorca holiday
A value-packed 2026 early-bird deal to the 4-star Globales Santa Lucia (Adults Only) in Palma Nova offers all-inclusive stays with flights from London for under £400, ATOL-protected via LoveHolidays. Availability and pricing can change quickly, and local taxes may apply. It’s a compelling pick for couples or friends looking to lock in a sun-soaked escape at a sharp price.
What can you do for free during Sweden’s autumn break?
Families staying local for Sweden’s autumn break can tap a rich lineup of free activities—storytimes and workshops at libraries, hands-on museum programs, creative arts events, and outdoor adventures across Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmö. From manga drawing and film festivals to witch-trial walks and roller discos, the guide spotlights budget-friendly ways to keep kids active and inspired. It’s a timely resource for travelers and locals seeking low-cost, high-fun days out.
AWS outage hits Delta & United, leaving some passengers perplexed
An AWS disruption knocked out multiple services and briefly impacted airline operations at Delta and United, with customers reporting issues checking in and dropping bags. Both carriers said backup systems limited the fallout to minor delays. The incident underscores how deeply air travel now relies on cloud infrastructure—and why resilience planning matters for keeping passengers moving.
