Latest news with #TravelWeekly
Travel Weekly
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Travel Weekly
The Last Resort: Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews Hotel
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Universal Orlando Resort On this episode of The Last Resort, host Christina Jelski talks with Michelle McSorley, a concierge travel advisor with Favorite Grampy Travels, and Jamie Biesiada, a Travel Weekly senior editor and host of the Trade Secrets podcast, about their recent visits to the Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews Hotel at Universal Studios Resort. McSorley and Biesiada share why the luxury property's direct access to Universal Epic Universe is a gamechanger, as well as offer details on the hotel's park views, dining options and themed How To Train Your Dragon Kids' Suites. The pair also touch on how Universal Studios' latest hotel and park expansions may change guest patterns, potentially extending Universal stays from quick add-ons to full-week experiences. Currently in its third season, The Last Resort is a monthly hospitality-focused podcast brought to you by Travel Weekly. In each episode, travel advisors share their first impressions of the last resort they visited. The seventh episode of the third season will be posted on July 14. Further resources Michelle McSorley Jamie Biesiada Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews Hotel at Universal Studios Resort Epic Universe: A new era for Universal Orlando Resort (Travel Weekly) Want to share feedback on the last resort you visited? Email us: TheLastResort@ Theme Song Beachfront Celebration by Kevin MacLeod License
Travel Weekly
6 days ago
- Business
- Travel Weekly
Thrill rides, lines, robotic arms, cool kids: The latest from Epic and Disney
Retail editor Jamie Biesiada, left, and Folo by Travel Weekly host Rebecca Tobin talk about theme park news, including Universal Resort Orlando's new Epic Universe and updates from Walt Disney World. Subscribe now using your favorite service: The opening of Universal Orlando Resort's Epic Universe park has created new opportunities for theme-park lovers for the first time in nearly 25 years. What's so special about the new Epic theme park? In this episode, retail editor Jamie Biesiada walks host Rebecca Tobin through innovations in ride technology, the queues and other Epic details - favorite or most surprising rides? -- and we talk about theme park performance in 2025 overall so far. And we discuss a few new tidbits from Walt Disney World's Cool Kid summer promotion and disclose details of a new nighttime parade. This episode was recorded May 30 and has been edited for length and clarity. Episode sponsor: This episode is sponsored by the Globus Family of Brands Related links: Exploring the enchanting details at Epic Universe Waiting in line at Epic Universe: Which has the best queue It's an Epic era for Universal Orlando, and Celestial Park sets the tone Walt Disney World's summer promo leads to a magic resort stay A Disneyland park is coming to Abu Dhabi
Travel Weekly
7 days ago
- Business
- Travel Weekly
Travel Weekly agency survey results
Travel Weekly agency survey results A new Travel Weekly survey sought to understand how travel agencies and their clients have been impacted by consumer confidence, the economic outlook, changes at the federal government level and recent air travel safety incidents.
Travel Weekly
02-06-2025
- Business
- Travel Weekly
Travel advisor survey shows bookings decline, but not across the board
A majority of travel advisors say that bookings are down this year compared to last, with the economy, consumer confidence and price sensitivity all playing roles. A Travel Weekly survey fielded last month found that 27.8% of respondents reported a significant decrease in bookings so far in 2025, while 29.9% reported a slight decrease. That adds up to 57.7% who are reporting some kind of decrease. Ten percent reported no change in bookings, 18.5% reported a slight increase, and 12.8% reported a significant increase. Travel Weekly's survey, fielded online from May 12 to 25, had 358 respondents who are either travel advisors or travel agency owners/managers. It sought to understand how travel agencies and their clients have been impacted by consumer confidence, the economic outlook, changes at the federal government level and recent air travel safety incidents. The economy and consumer sentiment stood out as issues impacting client bookings for many advisors. In total, 57.6% of respondents said the economic climate and consumer confidence has either slightly or significantly decreased their clients' willingness to book travel. Travelers are also becoming more cost-conscious compared to last year, with 62.7% of respondents saying clients are either slightly or significantly more price sensitive. In the comments section of the survey, respondents expressed concerns about a number of factors, such as the impact of tariffs, stock market volatility and broad economic uncertainty. One advisor based in Naples, Fla., pointed out that middle-class families especially have shared their concerns about traveling, canceled plans or held off on booking because of the economy. "Many who have plans that have not canceled have expressed great concern and anxiety regarding both financial aspects and the way they will be treated when they travel," the advisor wrote. Fading worries about government changes While most respondents are grappling with reduced bookings, their level of concern regarding federal government changes has decreased since March. In a survey fielded then, Travel Weekly found that 51.7% of respondents were very concerned about the long-term impact of federal government changes on their travel business, while only 20.2% were not concerned. The remaining respondents were either moderately (19.7%) or slightly (8.4%) concerned. In the May survey, 20.3% of advisors said they were very concerned, while 26.1% said they were not concerned. The number of advisors reporting slight or moderate concern, 29.9% and 23.8%, respectively, increased. Similarly, advisors were asked in March and again in May how concerned they were about the long-term impact of government changes on the industry as a whole. In March, the majority, 54.9%, were very concerned. That number dropped to 26.4% in May. The number of advisors reporting they weren't concerned increased from 18.2% in March to 24.5% in May. Still, 58.9% of advisors in the most recent survey said shifts in international relations or geopolitical events had significantly or slightly influenced clients' international bookings. And clients' concern about the reception of Americans in other countries largely stayed the same in the March and May surveys, at 59.5% and 61%, respectively. In the latest survey, 21.7% reported cancellations due to the perception of Americans abroad, a number unchanged since March. 'This too shall pass' Despite the business downturn, many respondents expressed their belief in the resilience of the travel industry. And some said business was booming or at least on par with last year. "Thankfully, the travel industry has been able to remain viable over the years no matter what monkey wrench gets thrown our way," said Dee Framson, a Boca Raton, Fla.-based advisor. An advisor based in Encinitas, Calif., has also seen a positive trend: last-minute summer travel requests. "I think people were holding out in Q1 to see what the immediate effects of our new administration were going to be, then decided to just go forward with their plans in Q2," the advisor wrote. One New York-based advisor said the industry has learned to ride out such headwinds. "Shifting economic conditions and geopolitical uncertainties may impact current and short-term travel demand in certain sectors, as seen by the recent inbound decline of tourists to the U.S.," the advisor wrote. "But what we have learned from past turbulent times is how resilient our industry is and how it quickly adapts to meet challenges [it] may have little control over." Another veteran advisor with 40-plus years in the industry said that 2025 sales are down, but 2026 and 2027 already look strong. "This is not the first economic downturn I've seen due to issues outside of my control," the advisor wrote. "This too shall pass." Little concern about air travel safety Despite several high-profile air travel incidents this year, advisors said that clients seem largely unconcerned. More than half (51.7%) of respondents said clients haven't shared any questions or concerns about air travel safety, and only 6.4% are hearing frequent concerns. Meanwhile, 85% reported no cancellations due to air safety or airport disruption concerns, while 10.9% have had cancellations and 4% were unsure. One air travel standout many commented on was Newark Airport, where delays, cancellations and technology failures have been rampant. Multiple respondents said clients want to avoid traveling through the New Jersey airport. One advisor wrote simply, "Don't book me through Newark!"
Travel Weekly
23-05-2025
- Business
- Travel Weekly
Registration opens for Travel Weekly's 2025 CruiseWorld
Registration for Travel Weekly's CruiseWorld is now open. The event returns to Fort Lauderdale and the Broward County Convention Center Nov 5 to 7. CruiseWorld features supplier training sessions, ship inspections, networking opportunities, general sessions and an exhibitor showcase. Register early to lock in the lowest available rates. CruiseWorld's STAR (Select Travel Advisor Recognition) program returns in 2025 for an elite group of advisors. The program includes pre-event virtual sessions, exclusive onsite opportunities and VIP treatment, along with complimentary registration and two nights' hotel accommodation. Early application is encouraged. Advisors can join supplier-sponsored workshops on Nov. 5 and 6 to hear the latest updates from cruise lines, destinations and other key industry players. The event's signature Think Tank session is where advisors share successful strategies and seek guidance from peers on current challenges. The Pitch Perfect series puts suppliers on stage as they pitch to advisors' hypothetical clients. Expect sessions focused on group travel, adventure and expedition cruising, luxury travel and river cruising. On Nov. 7, CruiseWorld will feature peer-led breakout sessions on marketing, sales, social media, product development, supplier relationships and more. You can watch recordings of the 2024 sessions to get an idea of the types of sessions to expect. Another highlight is the one-day exhibitor showcase, where advisors can meet with hundreds of suppliers, discovering new partners to meet their clients' needs. Expect a strong presence from airlines, cruise lines, destinations, hotels, tour operators, host agencies, consortia, travel insurance providers, and more. Advisors attending CruiseWorld will also have the chance to get an in-person look at top cruise ships during ship tours on Nov. 7 and 8. For full event details and registration, visit Suppliers interested in participating in the Exhibitor Showcase can contact Emmy Smotrys at esmotrys@ Custom sponsorships also are available.
