Saturday 10pm Spring 2025 Honor Flight Report : Central and Southwest Virginia Honor Flight
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Business Wire
9 hours ago
- Business Wire
Frequent Travelers Drive High-Value Opportunities in the US
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--New research from LoopMe, the global leader in brand performance, reveals that while a majority of Americans book only one or two trips per year, there is a high-value segment of frequent travelers emerging. These consumers are between the ages of 18-24 years old and are likely to book up to seven trips a year, indicating a growing opportunity for brands to build long-term loyalty with younger consumers who are more likely to travel and spend. While a majority of Americans book only one or two trips per year, there is a high-value segment of frequent travelers emerging. Share The report also revealed that domestic travel remains the most popular type of trip booked (39%), followed by nearby weekend getaways (23%) and international travel (17%). Cruises (15%) and theme parks (12%) have also been listed as popular destinations for Americans. International travelers (50%) and cruise-goers (48%) are also more likely to travel up to three times per year, creating an opportunity for brands and marketers to explore. When booking travel, 22% of US consumers use direct websites or online travel agencies (21%); however, other routes used include: Travel agency - 11% Credit card portals - 5% Employer travel portal - 4% Additional key insights from LoopMe's analysis include Frequent travelers spend big: Frequent travelers are more than twice as likely to spend at least $3000 per person on each trip Most Americans book travel for leisure and family visits: Top travel purposes include leisure (29%), family visits (24%), and group travel (7%). 'While most Americans travel occasionally, the real opportunity lies with frequent travelers to build long-term loyalty and growth', said Brian Bell, GM North America at LoopMe. 'As the travel landscape continues to evolve, brands have the perfect opportunity to reach emerging, high-value audiences and drive ROI in order to stay ahead in an increasingly competitive space.' Methodology LoopMe surveyed 6,409 US consumers between 27-31 January 2025 to gauge travel habits, preferences, and motivations. About LoopMe LoopMe is the global leader in brand performance, redefining brand advertising for the digital and app ecosystem. LoopMe was the first to apply AI to brand advertising and its Intelligent Marketplace, finding solutions to industry challenges that haven't previously been solved. With consumer insights and AI at its core, LoopMe makes brand advertising better, outperforming industry benchmarks for leading global brands. Our vision is to change advertising for the better, by building technology that will redefine brand advertising. LoopMe was founded in 2012 and is headquartered in the UK, with global offices across New York, Boston, Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Toronto, Singapore, Sydney, Melbourne, Dnipro, Krakow, Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong. For more information, please visit
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Yahoo
Brevard on a budget: Six free, fun things to do for Aug. 15 through 21
Due to potential changes and cancellations, we encourage you to check with presenting organizations about the status of their events. 1. Third Thursday at The Avenue Viera Third Thursday is a fun, pet- and family-friendly night in Central Park at The Avenue Viera, 2261 Town Center Ave., Viera. On Aug. 21, enjoy live music by Daniel Jude Music, complimentary snacks, and a free drink or ice cream. RSVP on Eventbrite to reserve your event ticket for a free drink or ice cream. You must check in at The Avenue Viera tent to receive your complimentary event ticket. All members of your party must be present at check-in. Visit 2. Space Coast Writers Guild in Eau Gallie Writers are invited to attend the Space Coast Writers Guild meeting at the Eau Gallie Public Library, 1521 Pineapple Ave., on the third Saturday of each month from noon to 2 p.m. The group is dedicated to encouraging, instructing and developing writers of all genres. Visit 3. Authors critique group in Melbourne Local authors are invited to bring their work to be read and critiqued at the Suntree/Viera Public Library, 902 Jordan Blass Drive, Melbourne, on Thursday, Aug. 21 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Haven't written anything yet? Come talk to the group and be inspired. Call 321-255-4404. 4. Ranger-led tour of Turkey Creek Sanctuary Turkey Creek Sanctuary, 1518 Port Malabar Blvd NE, Palm Bay, offers free ranger-led tours on the first and third Sundays of each month, excluding holidays, from 10 to 11 a.m. Participants should meet at the sanctuary Nature Center and bring sturdy tennis shoes or boots, sunscreen, insect repellent, water, snacks, binoculars and a hat. Tours will take place on the boardwalk and various trails. Each tour will be led by a park ranger and will focus on common plants and animals found in the sanctuary. Total distance for tours is approximately 1 to 1.5 miles and should take about 1 hour to 1 1/4 hours to complete. Admission is free. To sign up, call the Nature Center at 321-676-6690. 5. Scavenger hunt at Sams House Sams House at Pine Island, 6195 N. Tropical Trail, Merritt Island, hosts a scavenger hunt every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Stop by the 1888 house to pick up your nature hunt, and then enjoy the afternoon exploring the grounds. Call 321-449-4720 or 6. Free boat trip to Samsons Island Samsons Island is a 52-acre passive nature island in the Banana River, accessible only by water, with docks on the south, east and north sides of the island for public use. The city provides free eco tours with boat transportation to the island on the first and third Sunday of each month, departing at 9 a.m. from the Satellite Beach Fire Department, 1390 S. Patrick Drive. Guests will return back to the dock by noon. Reservations are required due to limited availability. Call 321-428-2546 x603 or visit Do you have a community entertainment event? Email tgif@ at least three weeks in advance for consideration for the Things to Do roundup. Christina LaFortune is the Entertainment and TGIF Editor at FLORIDA TODAY. Follow her on Facebook at or send her an email at clafortune@ Whether you're interested in music, theater, festivals or other local entertainment, FLORIDA TODAY has got you covered. Support local journalism by subscribing at This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Brevard on a budget: Six free, fun things to do for Aug. 15-21 Solve the daily Crossword
USA Today
14 hours ago
- USA Today
I explored a new country with 13 strangers. It was my favorite trip.
I couldn't recall the names of any of the restaurants I visited during my weeklong stay in Portugal. What I can tell you is the name, country of origin, profession, and motivations of my 13 travel companions – none of whom I knew prior to setting foot in Europe. Solo travel can be intimidating. Having been on different group trips by myself, it can feel isolating to be the sole person among couples, families, and friend groups. It's always a little awkward during mealtimes when you have to make the choice of asking to sit with someone, harkening to schoolyard fears, or taking a table for yourself and possibly alienating potential friends. "The reason I chose solo (travel) was because where I live, it's seasonal and all the people that I hang around with leave during the summer and there's no one there,' John O'hea told USA TODAY. 'I wanted to meet a bunch of new people and get exposed to different viewpoints, different ideas ... and I haven't been disappointed.' My first meal in Portugal in late July, I sat next to Sydni from California, and we quickly latched on to each other. At least for me, Sydni was homebase – and I'd like to think I was that for her as well – as we explored connections with the rest of the group. It only took one train ride together to get to know half the group. The fact that we were all solo travelers made it so everyone was open to each other and the experience of exploring a new country. It was my first time traveling with G Adventures in their new program "Solo-ish." While the concept is simple – a group of solo travelers sharing an itinerary and sometimes a room – taking the plunge of booking seemed to be the biggest hurdle for most. (Myself included.) 'This was my first time ever traveling solo, and what made it very enticing was the fact that it was solo-ish. So, although I was leaving and arriving alone – I was very nervous to join a group and see if I was going to feel included,' Natalyn Hibbs said. 'I would say, take that leap and join. It's very rewarding and the people that you meet – coming from all different areas – make it a really cool experience, and there's so much you get back from it.' We visited six locations (Lisbon, Cascais, Belem, Nazaré, Amarante and Porto), giving the group a good taste of what makes them unique. At each stop, we had a planned activity that ranged from nature hikes to city food tours to sightseeing via boat. Solo travel is an increasingly popular choice, with 'alone' being now the third most common choice for travel companionship, according to a January survey of 32,106 respondents across 32 countries and territories. Around 21% of global respondents and 29% of U.S. respondents reported that they took a solo trip in 2024. Among those who traveled solo, the freedom to create their itinerary was a key motivator for 38% of global respondents and 30% of Americans. Time for personal reflection and meeting people upon arrival were also strong motivations. 'I think with solo travel in general, the first point is that it does seem to be more people are wanting to do it,' David Stone, Global Head of Sales at Unforgettable Travel Company, told USA TODAY. 'And I think that the stigma that may have been attached to solo travel is almost disappearing now, which is really great.' What to expect from a solo group trip You won't be alone, don't worry. (Unless you want to be.) Our Portugal itinerary was packed with activities that allowed us to experience so much of the country, but every day had some allotted downtime for everyone to do their own thing if they so wished. During our first night, after a walking food tour of Lisbon, half the group decided to keep going and try different pasteis de nata (traditional Portuguese pastry), while the other half took the bus back to the hotel. The next day, during our visit to Cascais and Belem, the group dispersed to whatever appealed the most (views, or hikes), but because we were all solo travelers in a group, you always had someone ready to share a view with you or split a ridiculously large almond pastry. The Chief Experience Officers (CEOs), as G Adventures calls their guides, were there not only as shepherds of the group, but also to serve as experts on the area, often recommending where to eat or what to do on our own based on our interests. I do actually remember one of the restaurants (Adega Machado, check them out if you're in Lisbon) because we heard some of the most beautiful live music mere feet from our table, with voices from Isabel Noronha to Pedro Moutinho to Filipa Vieira all in one night. Our G Adventures guide coordinated the experience, and I'm so glad she did because I wouldn't have known otherwise to do that. Solo travel can often place the onus of a copious amount of research on the traveler, but working with a local as our CEO made it so we knew where to go for authentic experiences, avoiding tourist traps, and highlighting important cultural idiosyncrasies we would have otherwise overlooked. Do you look like a tour group when you all walk together? Yes, absolutely. But you need to get over that fear of judgment. From your clothes to the way you do your hair, to your accent, you'll always be a tourist outside of your home – and that's OK. Being a tourist isn't inherently frowned upon; being a bad tourist is. Having a local guide with us, being respectful of the places we visited, and spending our money with locally owned businesses is all we need to do as responsible travelers. Are you ready for a solo trip? Probably not. I don't think anyone is ever ready to put themselves in uncomfortable positions. It's not in our nature to make ourselves vulnerable. But that's where growth happens. Those uncomfortable moments you handle by yourself are the ones that truly reveal who you truly are. 'I think doing like the solo-solo travel where you're not with a group, you're not on a tour, that is definitely intimidating and very challenging, and can be very lonely,' Pavel Orel, another guest, said. 'This trip is like the perfect balance where there's a lot of the structure that's built in, there's a lot of the community that is already here, and there's enough freedom to do whatever.' I consider myself introverted, and this trip was the first time I didn't feel exhausted after talking to people for hours on end. It's an experience quite unlike any other. I'm not saying I will only do solo group trips from now on, but there's something to be said about touching base with yourself in a new environment surrounded by travelers looking to do the same. 'I haven't done a group trip in a while, and most of the group trips I did, I feel like most of the people were pretty immature. And I feel like this trip had people who really know themselves, they feel secure in themselves, and that makes it a safe environment to go deeper into more real stuff. (Compared to what) you would otherwise do surface level when you just meet someone over dinner or something,' Rachel Rosenbaum said. Visiting a new destination with other solo travelers from different countries, backgrounds, ages, and fields only enhances the experience. I walked away from Portugal with an appreciation for the country's relaxed culture, as well as the turns of phrase from South Africans, the kindness of Canadians, the thoughtfulness of Brits, the resilience of Russians, and the tenacity of Americans on the trip with me. I wouldn't have gotten any of that by myself. The reporter on this story received access from G Adventures. USA TODAY maintains editorial control. Josh Rivera is USA TODAY's Senior Consumer Travel Editor. You can reach him at jrivera@
