What is going on with summer travel? As Americans prepare to take to the roads and skies, we’ve heard a lot of mixed messages from travel companies about what this year might bring: Just a few weeks ago we spoke on the Folo podcast about “chop” and “noise” in projecting future booking patterns.

In this episode Hopper lead economist Hayley Berg returns to talk about her data: Whether Americans are traveling and, if so, where their summer plans might take them. We talk about the obvious destinations and the hidden gems -- plus one great summer-booking tip. With us is cruise editor Teri West, who looks into research from the Mastercard Economics Institute on its travel trend report. 

This episode was recorded Thursday, May 22 and has been edited for length and clarity.

Episode sponsor: 

This episode is sponsored by the Globus Family of Brands https://www.globusandcosmos.com

Related links:

https://www.travelweekly.com/Asia-Travel/Asian-cities-shine-Mastercard-2025-travel-trends-report

Volatility is making hotel forecasting difficult https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Hotel-News/Volatility-making-hotel-forecasting-difficult

Travel advisors voice their concerns about job cuts and the economy https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Travel-Agent-Issues/Travel-agents-voice-concerns-federal-job-cuts

 

What is going on with summer travel? As Americans prepare to take to the roads and skies, we&rsquo;ve heard a lot of mixed messages from travel companies about what this year might bring: Just a few weeks ago we spoke on the Folo podcast about &ldquo;chop&rdquo; and &ldquo;noise&rdquo; in projecting future booking patterns.
In this episode Hopper lead economist Hayley Berg returns to talk about her data: Whether Americans are traveling and, if so, where their summer plans might take them. We talk about the obvious destinations and the hidden gems -- plus one great summer-booking tip. With us is cruise editor Teri West, who looks into research from the Mastercard Economics Institute on its travel trend report.&nbsp;
This episode was recorded Thursday, May 22 and has been edited for length and clarity.
Episode sponsor: 
This episode is sponsored by the Globus Family of Brands&nbsp;<a href="https://www.globusandcosmos.com">https://www.globusandcosmos.com</a>
Related links: <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Asia-Travel/Asian-cities-shine-Mastercard-2025-travel-trends-report"></a>
<a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Asia-Travel/Asian-cities-shine-Mastercard-2025-travel-trends-report">https://www.travelweekly.com/Asia-Travel/Asian-cities-shine-Mastercard-2025-travel-trends-report</a>
Volatility is making hotel forecasting difficult <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Hotel-News/Volatility-making-hotel-forecasting-difficult">https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Hotel-News/Volatility-making-hotel-forecasting-difficult</a>
Travel advisors voice their concerns about job cuts and the economy <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Travel-Agent-Issues/Travel-agents-voice-concerns-federal-job-cuts">https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Travel-Agent-Issues/Travel-agents-voice-concerns-federal-job-cuts</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.