The Folo by Travel Weekly

We have several exciting episodes planned for the Folo over the next month that will folo – that’s a journalism term that means to follow up with more context and reporting -- some of the biggest stories in the business. But this week, we're bringing you a bonus episode of our kick-start to the fall season: Topics we wanted to devote a little more time to. Jamie Biesiada, our editor of content innovation and retail, had some interesting insights into her theme park coverage, so in this episode we talk about what Universal and Disney have been up to.  And then after our second break, aviation editor Robert Silk discusses an unusual TSA test program: In certain cities, it's enabling PreCheck members to pass through security and into the terminals even if they don't have a boarding pass.  These conversations were recorded in mid-September and have been edited for length and clarity. Episode sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Oceania Cruises https://www.oceaniacruises.com Related links: Disney World is testing new tools to help consumers select a hotel https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Hotel-News/Disney-World-testing-tools-consumer-hotel-selection Disney unveils major theme park plans at D23 event https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Hotel-News/Disney-announces-a-slew-of-theme-park-updates-at-D23-event At Universal Kid Resort, the focus is on fun for younger ages https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Hotel-News/Fun-in-small-doses-at-Universal-Kids-Resort TSA turns back the clock on the Gateside program https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Airline-News/TSA-turns-back-the-clock-with-Gateside-programSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Continuing with our check-in with reporters on their top stories of the summer – and what we can expect this fall. This week, host Rebecca Tobin talks with hospitality editor Christina Jelski, who provides an update on hotel news: The demand picture, whether Canadians are returning to the U.S., Mexico’s struggles and more. Then, cruise editor Teri West talks about new directions in rate and the launch of the third Icon-class ship.  And river cruise and tours editor Brinley Hineman returns to recap this summer’s low-water levels for river cruising. These conversations were recorded throughout September and have been edited for length and clarity. Episode sponsor:  This episode was sponsored by Travel Insured International https://www.travelinsured.com Stay on at the end of the Folo for a sponsored interview with Christine Peruccio, Travel Insured's AVP of sales and account management support, and Mary Pat Sullivan, the executive vice president of marketing and brand partnerships for Northstar Travel Group. Related links:  U.S. hotel forecast gets another bump after 'record' room sales https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Hotel-News/US-hotels-performing-well-in-2026-reforecast-costar-tourism-economics How AI data centers are fueling the U.S. hospitality boom https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Hotel-News/Strong-year-US-hotels-with-AI-data-center-building-boom Checking in column: Tourism is taking a stand in the U.S.-Canada feud https://www.travelweekly.com/Christina-Jelski/Tourism-industry-taking-a-stand-in-U-S-Canada-feud The Mexican sargassum surge sparks new strategies and investments https://www.travelweekly.com/Mexico-Travel/Sargassum-surge-sparks-new-strategies-and-investments Cruise sellers are onboard with NCL's pricing strategy https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Cruise-sellers-on-board-with-NCL-change-pricing-strategy Cruising on Royal Caribbean's newest Icon class ship https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Cruising-on-Royal-Caribbean-new-Legend-of-the-Seas Low water, high stakes: River lines take a hit to satisfy guests https://www.travelweekly.com/River-Cruising/River-cruise-lines-swallow-costs-to-move-guestsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After our Summer Series of best-of episodes ended, we’re back with all-new episodes. In the next two episodes, we're looking at the travel trends and stories our reporters have been tracking, setting the stage for longer discussions on the Folo this fall.  Here, you'll hear from editor at large Robert Silk on fuel and ticket pricing jumps in aviation; editor of content innovation and retail Jamie Biesiada on booking patterns and advisor updates; and tours editor Brinley Hineman on brand and personnel movements.  Next, we’ll hear from reporters on hotel, cruise and river cruise beats. And there’s more, much more, to come.  These discussions were recorded the week of Aug. 13 and have been edited for length and clarity. Episode sponsor  This episode is sponsored by Travel Insured International https://www.travelinsured.com Related links August airfares surge 23% year over year https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Airline-News/August-airfares-were-up-23-4-percent-year-over-year American Airlines slows holiday growth plans due to high fuel prices https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Airline-News/American-slows-holiday-growth-plans-due-to-high-fuel-prices In consolidating Insite and Costsaver, TTC bets on the power of the Trafalgar brand https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Tour-Operators/TTC-bets-on-the-power-of-Trafalgar Classic Vacations CEO Melissa Krueger steps down https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Tour-Operators/Classic-Vacations-CEO-Melissa-Krueger-is-stepping-down Blocked port call gives pause to LGBTQ+ travel providers https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Blocked-ports-calls-give-pause-LGBTQ-travel-providers Related podcast Trade Secrets: Is fall the new summer? Unpacking luxury travel trends at Virtuoso https://www.travelweekly.com/Podcasts/Trade-Secrets/season-seven-episode-twelve-luxury-travel-trends-with-Virtuoso      See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re back with new episodes this fall. This past week we’ve done a lot of looking back on 9/11. The terror attacks had a huge and immediate impact on travel, and the reverberations still continue to this day. On the day of the 25th anniversary, two heavy-hitters in the business – our former editor in chief and current explorer at large Arnie Weissmann and Kathy Sudeikis, the vice president of industry relations for Acendas and past president of ASTA – joined Rebecca Tobin on the Folo to talk about that day, what came next and what travel is like now.  This episode has been edited for length and clarity. Episode sponsor  This episode is sponsored by Travel Insured International https://www.travelinsured.com Related reports Arnie Weissmann's From the Window Seat column: 25 years since 9/11: Innocence lost, resilience gained https://www.travelweekly.com/Arnie-Weissmann/25-years-after-9-11-attacks Downtown Manhattan's 'renaissance,' 25 years after 9/11 https://www.travelweekly.com/North-America-Travel/Lower-Manhattan-tourism-renaissance Why the 9/11 Memorial and Museum is a vital visitor experience https://www.travelweekly.com/North-America-Travel/9-11-Memorial-must-visit-site-in-New-York From the archives: On the first anniversary of 9/11, an industry at a crossroads https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Travel-Agent-Issues/Travel-execs-see-industry-at-a-crossroads    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In June, Carnival Cruise Line held an event in New Orleans called The Next Course, where it introduced new restaurants and menus on its upcoming ship, the Carnival Festivale, and showcased its partnership with superstar chef Emeril Lagasse, the line’s chief culinary officer. It also served as a chance to talk about the latest in foodie trends, and how those trends are showing up on Carnival’s ships. In this episode we take that conversation even further with Carnival’s vice president of food and beverage Juan Fernandez and cruise editor Teri West. We talk about changes in dining hours, dining styles, drinks and more and how those changes dovetail or diverge with how consumers eat and drink on land. Plus: How Carnival developed its relationship with Lagasse and the new restaurants on the Festivale. Summer Series This episode is part of our annual Summer Series, where we feature some of our favorite recent Folo by Travel Weekly discussions. This conversation was recorded July 9 and has been edited for length and clarity. Episode sponsor  This episode is sponsored by Travel Insured International https://www.travelinsured.com Related links: Carnival and Emeril Lagasse embrace the latest culinary trends https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Carnival-and-Emeril-embrace-the-latest-culinary-trends Carnival introduces new culinary concepts for upcoming ships https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Carnival-and-Emeril-Lagasse-introduce-new-culinary-concepts Reservations are open for the Carnival Festivale https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Reservations-open-for-Carnival-Festivale How weight-loss meds are changing travel https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Travel-Agent-Issues/weight-loss-meds-changing-travel Focus on culinary travel: Savoring the experience https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Tour-Operators/Focus-on-culinary-travel-Savoring-the-experienceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.