The Folo by Travel Weekly
Episodes
The shape of the U.S. economy -- our Winter Series finale
30 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In a so-called k-shaped economy, higher earners head up on an upward angle, but lower earners, on the lower leg of the “k” drop behind. Th...
A Japan-based line wants to attract U.S. cruisers -- a Winter Series episode
24 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Last summer, Folo host Rebecca Tobin got the opportunity to cruise Mitsui Ocean Cruises, a line that’s based in Japan and created for and curate...
The thinking behind airplane meals -- a Winter Series episode
18 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode we’re going to tuck in to a portion of the flying experience that you might be surprised to hear about: food. In this episode, h...
How agentic AI could change travel. Is it a threat? -- a Winter Series episode
09 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
We're focusing on an emerging branch of artificial intelligence called agentic AI – that is, an AI tool that can, essentially, act like a bookin...
How cruising's top suites got so opulent -- a Winter Series episode
03 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This week we’re talking about a story that came to be after unveiling of Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ upcoming Skyview Regent Suite. It's a ...
The travel advisor's travel-planning source -- a Winter Series episode
24 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This week we’re talking about destination management companies, or DMCs, which are companies embedded in specific locations that give travel pla...
The 25 years that changed travel -- a Winter Series episode
16 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
We look back at the first quarter-century and the biggest events that had an outsized impact on the travel business, from mega-events that changed the...
What we learned in our travel advisor survey -- a Winter Series episode
09 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
We're taking an in-depth look at our annual Travel Industry Survey of travel agency business with then-editor in chief Arnie Weissmann and news editor...
Where to travel in 2026 -- a Winter Series episode
02 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
It's tradition for travel publications and others to pull together inspirational lists for travel, and late last year Power List travel company Chase ...
The k-shape of luxury travel: Why top suites sell and others sit empty
26 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In a so-called k-shaped economy, higher earners head up on an upward angle, but lower earners, on the lower leg of the “k” drop behind. Th...
Why faith-based tourism is growing beyond Israel
20 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Many tour companies that specialize in faith-based travel, or tourism with a religious element or focus, have historically focused on trips to the Hol...
How a Japan-based line is working to attract U.S. cruisers
12 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Last summer, Folo host Rebecca Tobin got the opportunity to cruise Mitsui Ocean Cruises, a line that’s based in Japan and created for and curate...
What to expect in 2026: Hotels, tours, river and ocean cruising
05 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Every year at this time of year we delve into our Preview issue: Every reporter on staff looks at his or her beat and, talks to their sources, reads a...
What to expect for travel in 2026, part 1: Advisors and airlines
29 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Every year at this time of year we delve into our Preview issue: Every reporter on staff looks at their beat, talks to their sources, reads at the tea...
The biggest travel stories of 2025
22 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, news editor Johanna Jainchill talks about how we review and select the stories in our annual Year in Review report, which looks at th...
Route 66 tours and Christmas market cruises (are they alike?)
15 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week our subject is Route 66, that famous highway that's practically synonymous with the term "Americana." The road was opened in 1926, which mea...
How to create travel inspiration (in list form) for 2026
08 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It’s the holiday season, but it's also time for advisors and consumers alike to start thinking of travel plans for the year ahead. And to stoke ...
An analysis of our survey of travel agency business
01 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Our annual Travel Industry Survey of travel agency business is live, and we're taking an in-depth look at some of the results with editor in chief Arn...
Agentic AI versus human travel advisors
24 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We're focusing on an emerging branch of artificial intelligence called agentic AI – that is, an AI tool that can, essentially, act like a bookin...
DMCs: Your travel advisor's (not-so-secret) travel-planning partner
17 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Your travel advisor’s expert in-destination source: Their DMC This week we’re talking about destination management companies, or DM...
Hawaii update: Travel to Maui and the latest data on visitors
10 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It’s time for an update on Hawaii travel. On this episode, our contributing editor for Hawaii, Christine Hitt, talks about overall...
The biggest suites at sea are now even more extra
03 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week we’re talking about a story that came to be after unveiling of Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ upcoming Skyview Regent Suite. It's a ...
40 years with Mark Pestronk: A Q&A with a travel lawyer
27 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Travel Weekly is proud to produce contributions from some very well-respected columnists -- people who really know the business. We have travel adviso...
What is adventure travel, anyway? Ask the ATTA
20 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we’re headed to Chile, the home of this year's Adventure Travel Trade Association World Summit. Our adventurous editor in chief ...
The impact -- and responsibility -- of safari tourism
13 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
South Africa based contributor Dorine Reinstein has written often about conservation efforts and tackled overcrowding on safari tours. A video this su...
Looking back at 25 years that changed travel
06 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Our latest cover story is titled the 25 years that changed travel. We’re looking back at the first quarter century and the biggest events that h...
How airplane meals are improving -- even in coach
29 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode we’re going to tuck in to a portion of the flying experience that you might be surprised to hear about: food. The aviation cater...
Las Vegas' soft summer, and its new message to travelers
22 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week we're doubling down on Las Vegas – specifically to its hotel occupancy numbers, which were surprisingly weak this summer. Our hotels e...
The Folo returns: Our staff talks about trending stories and what's next
15 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Folo by Travel Weekly is back with all-new episodes this fall. In this episode, host Rebecca Tobin talks to the Travel Weekly reporting team to ge...
The new travel brands entering Europe river cruising -- A Summer Series episode
08 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This year, it's all about travel brands making their entry into Europe river cruising. We’ve been surprised this year by the number of establish...
A Power List success story -- a Summer Series episode
01 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Travel Weekly’s annual Power List is a massive undertaking to identify and rank the biggest sellers of travel. And when we say big, we mean big:...
A new chapter of literary tourism -- a Summer Series episode
25 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The last two episodes have covered news topics like economic uncertainty and the troubles at Newark, so this week we’re going in a different dir...
Royal Caribbean and cruising's private islands -- A Summer Series episode
18 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We’re returning to a subject that continues to evolve: Cruise lines’ private islands and destinations. Even after this episode was recorde...
Speaking the language of luxury travel -- a Summer Series episode
11 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Travel advisors are often encouraged to seek out the more stable, and more lucrative, luxury market. But one question you might not have asked yoursel...
Overtourism and Europe's protests -- A Summer Series episode
04 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Despite what we’re hearing about close-to-home travel, Americans are still headed to Europe in large numbers and to tourism hot spots like Venic...
Epic and Disney: Thrill rides, lines, robotic arms, cool kids -- A Summer Series episode
28 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The opening of Universal Orlando Resort's Epic Universe park earlier this year has created new opportunities for theme-park lovers for the first time ...
A 2025 Power List success story: Departure Lounge's growth
21 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Travel Weekly’s annual Power List is a massive undertaking to identify and rank the biggest sellers of travel. And when we say big, we mean big:...
A mid-summer travel check-in, and why some people are still in planning mode
14 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It’s getting to be mid July, but as you’ll hear from this episode, the summer travel season – both booking and traveling – is ...
What to know about overtourism and Europe protests
07 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It’s July, and despite what we’re hearing about close-to-home travel, Americans are still headed to Europe in large numbers and to tourism...
L.A. fires, six months in: A Malibu hotel looks back, and forward
30 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It’s been an eventful year for Los Angeles tourism, but as we’re nearing the six-month mark from the devastating fires that tore through P...
Are international LGBTQ+ travelers rethinking the U.S.?
23 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week we’re talking about our annual "Focus on LGBTQ+" travel cover story. This year, the headline was “A chill in the air for Pride,&...
The new travel brands diving into Europe river cruising
16 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today is all about travel brands making an entry into Europe river cruising. We’ve been surprised this year by the number of established names m...
Royal Caribbean and the latest on cruising’s exclusive destinations
09 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We’re returning to a subject that we’ve talked about before on the Folo, but that just keeps continuing to grow and evolve, that’s c...
Thrill rides, lines, robotic arms, cool kids: The latest from Epic and Disney
02 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Where are Americans traveling this summer?
26 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 compan...
Opening the book on literary tourism
19 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The last two episodes have covered news topics like economic uncertainty and the troubles at Newark, so this week we’re going in a different dir...
What is going on with Newark Airport?
12 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What the heck is going on at EWR? Undoubtably the biggest news in travel this past week has to be the mess at Newark Airport in New Jersey. What start...
How travel fared in Q1: Results, volatility, 'noise' and what's next
05 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We’re still in first-quarter earnings season, but we’ve been watching travel company results closely, to give us some signs on which way t...
Top issues in sustainable travel: Overtourism, pricing and policy
28 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As you’ll hear in this discussion, it’s Earth Month, and we couldn’t not have an episode about sustainability efforts within travel....
Why more people are picking alcohol-free travel
21 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It's still a niche trend, but maybe not for long: Younger travelers are increasingly seeking out alcohol-free tours. The rise of tour options for sobe...
What our survey said about advisor reaction to government cuts
14 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
After the new Department of Government Efficiency began making cuts to the federal workforce, Travel Weekly began looking at the effect of those cuts ...
Seatrade, Wave and the state of cruising. Plus, our cruise editor signs off
07 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
With Seatrade Cruise Global opening this week, it’s the industry’s time to hear from the biggest voices in cruise, and we’re adding ...
Why many Canadians are avoiding U.S. travel
31 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we talk about a phenomenon that has surfaced after President Trump took office: A cooling of travel demand to the U.S. from Canada. An...
Southwest, bag fees and more: The new shape of an airline disrupter
24 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week we’re talking again about Southwest Airlines, which shocked some of its loyal customers about two weeks ago by getting rid of its long...
Hospitality check-in: A 'Trump bump' in Florida, and immigration-policy concerns
17 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How has the Trump administration has been impacting hotels and travel? One might look at the visitation numbers in the Palm Beaches area of Florida, w...
How, and why, travel advisors should learn to speak the 'luxury' language
10 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Travel advisors are often encouraged to seek out the more stable, and more lucrative, luxury market. But one question you might not have asked yoursel...
The influence of Black food (and travel) content creators
03 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Nearly everybody gets travel inspiration from the social media accounts they follow, or from accounts that are shown on their feeds. Today we’re...
The shape of cruising's Wave season today
24 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Last week, Cruise Planners CEO Michelle Fee and Norwegian Cruise Line sales exec John Chernesky joined cruise editor Andrea Zelinski and host Rebecca ...
The big deal about the new cruise ships of 2025
17 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We’re back with new episodes of the Folo, and we’re kicking it off with two back-to- back episodes about cruise. And why not -- it’s...
The rise of women-only tours: A Winter Series episode
10 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
One trend we've noticed taking shape recently is the rising popularity of women-only tours. From on-the-ground adventures in far flung destinations li...
Trade Secrets: 25 travel trends for 2025, Part 2
03 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week we’re featuring the second half of a special episode of Trade Secrets, a sister podcast to the Folo by Travel Weekly that is co-produc...
Trade Secrets: 25 travel trends for 2025
27 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week on the Folo by Travel Weekly we are featuring a special episode of Trade Secrets, a sister podcast to the Folo that is co-produced by Jamie ...
Airfares in 2025: Do higher average fares mean fewer deals?
20 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We’re turning to every traveler’s favorite – or least favorite – topic this week, and that’s airfares. After aviation ed...
What to expect in tours in 2025 -- and newsy destinations
13 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In last week’s episode we delved into the trends and predictions for several aspects of the travel business: aviation, cruise, hotel and the out...
Our reporters predict 2025 trends -- part 1
06 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to our annual Preview episode, where we gaze into our crystal ball and draw on interviews with expert sources to talk about what we’ll b...
What the ski season will bring -- A winter series episode
30 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It’s time for our semi-annual drop-in to the ski industry. Dan Sherman of Ski.com, ski blogger and podcaster Stuart Winchester and our in-house ...
Our annual survey of travel advisors: A winter series episode
23 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Travel Industry Survey is our annual, premier research product that surveys travel advisors about their business. To dig deeper into the report’...
The biggest travel stories of 2024
16 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It’s time for our annual Year in Review discussion, where we look back at some of the biggest travel-related stories and trends of 2024. Joining...
The rise of women-only tours
09 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week’s travel trend is the growing popularity of women-only tours. From on-the-ground adventures in far flung destinations like Saudi Arabia an...
The outlook on the ski season: Japan, ticket prices and more
02 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It’s time for our semi-annual drop-in to the ski industry. It’s the unofficial start to the season, so it seemed like a perfect time to gather a f...
From Black Friday to Travel Tuesday: A season of travel deals
25 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Black Friday has become a bona fide travel phenomenon, encompassing not only the day itself and the burgeoning Travel Tuesday, but stretching into an ...
What our Travel Industry Survey says about travel agencies
18 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Travel Industry Survey is our annual, premier research product that surveys travel advisors about their business: Booking trends, preferred produc...
How President Trump might change travel policy
11 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It’s only been a few days since the election, but already we’re wondering: What will happen to travel policy under the Trump administration? Nat...
Why cruise companies are breaking records this year
04 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we’re talking about the positive momentum in the cruise industry with senior editor Andrea Zelinski. Now that the third quarter has...
Middle East tensions slow -- but don't stop -- travel
28 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The tensions in the Middle East have been front and center for more than a year, from Hamas’ attack on Israel and continuing with escalations betwee...
The status of Florida tourism after Helene and Milton
24 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we’re looking at the impacts of hurricanes Milton and Helene on Florida’s tourism economy. Florida is such an important state for ...
All-inclusive resorts in Europe are different -- here's how
14 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Earlier in this season, we talked about the popularity and trends surrounding all-inclusive resorts. But some listeners – advisors and travelers ali...
A festive episode: When and where to book holiday travel
07 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We’re now in the run-up to the holidays, also known as the festive season. And it’s a busy time for travel advisors planning their clients’ last...
Why the DOT is probing airline loyalty programs
30 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
At the beginning of September the U.S. Department of Transportation began an investigation into airline loyalty programs of American, Delta, United an...
Cruising in Alaska: More passengers. More opportunity?
23 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Cruising in Alaska has ballooned in popularity since the pandemic. The lines have invested newer, bigger ships and stretched the season longer. But as...
Wrapping up Royal Caribbean's Ultimate World Cruise
16 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
One of the more ambitious plans to come out of cruising’s pandemic pause was from Royal Caribbean International: a world cruise on the Serenade of t...
Changes at Southwest, an activist investor and more
09 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Southwest is having an unusual moment: An aviation industry stalwart that’s typically posted solid results, it has attracted the attention of activi...
After a boom, is demand for all-inclusive vacations slowing?
02 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
There's been a rise in demand for all-inclusive resorts, which have gotten more numerous -- and upscale -- in recent years. But in a recent story, hot...
Is 'overtourism' being overused?
26 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we talk about the evolution of the term “overtourism,” which has been used a lot this summer as the post-pandemic tourism boom has...
New episode! Maui's tourism landscape, a year after the fires
19 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome back to the Folo by Travel Weekly. After our annual summer break, we’re back with all-new episodes! We’re kicking off this series with a d...
How cruising's private destinations are evolving -- A Summer Series episode
12 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode we’re delving into one of the more unique aspects of the cruise experience, and that’s the part that takes place on land. We’re ...
Tours that celebrate Black heritage -- A Summer Series episode
05 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we look at a company called Black In that's building tours to celebrate Black history and support Black-owned businesses in each desti...
Dogs in hotels -- A Summer Series episode
29 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We’ve got a two-parter episode for you this week. In our first segment we’re talking about one of the more heartwarming hospitality trends we’ve...
Around the world on a private jet tour -- A Summer Series episode
21 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Imagine a guided tour, and your transportation is a Boeing 757 outfitted with 50 first-class seats. And the plane will fly you around the world in ult...
The rise of cruising's biggest megaships -- a Summer Series episode
15 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Earlier this year, Carnival Corp. ordered an 180,000-gross-ton ship that will be the fourth in its Excel class. The very next day, Royal Caribbean Int...
How concerts, festivals and events have changed how people travel - A Summer Series episode
08 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What do Taylor Swift, March Madness, Formula 1 and a tiny weekend festival in Florida have in common? They’re all events-based travel, a category th...
Wellness travel: Soft care vs hard care - A Summer Series episode
01 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Wellness travel is entering a new golden era: Spending is predicted to grow to $1 trillion annually in the next three years, according to the Global W...
Why travel agent training matters - A Summer Series episode
24 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Wanted: Travel agency seeks enthusiastic advisors eager for training. Good travel sellers need training – on systems, on suppliers, on sales tactics...
The first Black-owned travel agency - A Summer Series episode
17 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to our annual Summer Series, where we feature some of our favorite recent Folo by Travel Weekly episodes. In honor of Juneteenth, this week we...
Hotel check-in: Leisure demand drops, business travel returns
10 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
With this year’s NYU International Hospitality Industry Investment Conference just wrapped, it is a good time to look at the state of U.S. hotel bus...
Frontier's pricing-display strategy and what it means
03 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Last month ultra low cost carrier Frontier made a surprise pricing move: It introduced a package of fare products designed to pull passenger away from...
The evolution of cruising’s private islands
27 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode we’re delving into one of the more unique aspects of the cruise experience, and that’s the one that takes place on land. We’re t...
Are travelers balking at the cost of luxury travel?
20 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week we return to one of our favorite topics on the folo: The post-pandemic cost of travel. With pricing remaining high, we are continually askin...
How travel agency mentorships help new advisors
13 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In the past few years, travel agencies have been inundated with business from travelers seeking expert advice and booking assistance on their travel. ...
The U.S. clarifies airline refunds, ancillary displays: Who wins?
06 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We’re talking about final rules from the U.S. Department of Transportation about when and how airline passengers qualify for a refund. This rule is ...