In last week’s episode we delved into the trends and predictions for several aspects of the travel business: aviation, cruise, hotel and the outlook for travel advisors. This week, host Rebecca Tobin asks Tom Stieghorst, our interim cruise and river cruise editor, to share some of his findings for 2025. We draw on a new survey from the U.S. Tour Operators Association to look at what tour operators are most concerned about. And, of course, we look at top destinations for travelers this year. 

In the last section of the episode, we have the final piece of the initial discussion: Where the rest of our travel team is headed this year. Each trip reveals a minitrend in destination or travel style, like the opening of a new theme park in Orlando, expedition travel to Antarctica, the popularity of Las Vegas and, for your Folo diehards out there, competitive sitting. 

These episodes were recorded separately. The interview with Tom Stieghorst took place Jan. 3, and the discussion with the other editors was Dec. 13. Both were edited for length and clarity.

Episode sponsor: 

This episode is sponsored by Collette Vacations https://www.gocollette.com/travel-advisors

Related links:

Preview 2025 https://www.travelweekly.com/Preview-2025

Politics replaces the economy as a chief concern of tour operators https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Tour-Operators/Politics-chief-concern-USTOA-poll

Globus gears up for a big year in Italy https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Tour-Operators/Globus-gearing-up-for-busy-year-in-Italy?ct=tours

 

In last week&rsquo;s episode we delved into the trends and predictions for several aspects of the travel business: aviation, cruise, hotel and the outlook for travel advisors. This week, host Rebecca Tobin asks Tom Stieghorst, our interim cruise and river cruise editor, to share some of his findings for 2025. We draw on a new survey from the U.S. Tour Operators Association to look at what tour operators are most concerned about. And, of course, we look at top destinations for travelers this year.&nbsp;
In the last section of the episode, we have the final piece of the initial discussion: Where the rest of our travel team is headed this year. Each trip reveals a minitrend in destination or travel style, like the opening of a new theme park in Orlando, expedition travel to Antarctica, the popularity of Las Vegas and, for your Folo diehards out there, competitive sitting.&nbsp;
These episodes were recorded separately. The interview with Tom Stieghorst took place Jan. 3, and the discussion with the other editors was Dec. 13. Both were edited for length and clarity.
Episode sponsor:&nbsp;
This episode is sponsored by Collette Vacations <a href="https://www.gocollette.com/travel-advisors">https://www.gocollette.com/travel-advisors</a>
Related links:
Preview 2025 <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Preview-2025">https://www.travelweekly.com/Preview-2025</a>
Politics replaces the economy as a chief concern of tour operators&nbsp;<a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Tour-Operators/Politics-chief-concern-USTOA-poll">https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Tour-Operators/Politics-chief-concern-USTOA-poll</a>
Globus gears up for a big year in Italy <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Tour-Operators/Globus-gearing-up-for-busy-year-in-Italy?ct=tours">https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Tour-Operators/Globus-gearing-up-for-busy-year-in-Italy?ct=tours</a>
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Travel Weekly's team of reporters, editors and contributors explore ideas, share experiences and provide insight into what they’ve uncovered while reporting on some of the biggest trends in travel.

Travel Weekly's team of reporters, editors and contributors explore ideas, share experiences and provide insight into what they&rsquo;ve uncovered while reporting on some of the biggest trends in travel.

Hosted by Rebecca Tobin, managing editor of Travel Weekly

The Folo by Travel Weekly

Travel Weekly's team of reporters, editors and contributors take a deep dive into the biggest travel story of the week. 

In each episode, we invite invite our team of journalists and their trusted sources to delve into major travel trends that industry insiders, or just travelers, want to know about.  

You may be wondering: Why the Folo? Well, a folo -- f o l o -- is a journalism term, a kind of shorthand that basically means to follow a breaking news story with more in depth reporting and analysis. And at the Folo podcast, that's what we do. 

Hosted by Travel Weekly managing editor Rebecca Tobin.

Travel Weekly's team of reporters, editors and contributors take a deep dive into the biggest travel story of the week.&nbsp;
In each episode, we invite invite our team of journalists and their trusted sources to delve into major travel trends that industry insiders, or just travelers, want to know about. &nbsp;
You may be wondering: Why the Folo? Well, a folo -- f o l o -- is a journalism term, a kind of shorthand that basically means to follow a breaking news story with more in depth reporting and analysis. And at the Folo podcast, that's what we do.&nbsp;
Hosted by Travel Weekly managing editor Rebecca Tobin.