Feeling a little uneasy about all the talk of economic slowdown? You’re not alone—new research shows U.S. travelers are starting to opt for shorter trips and more affordable stays as they brace for tighter budgets. Curious how staffing challenges in hospitality might shape events moving forward? Marriott’s latest partnership means housekeeping robots might soon greet your guests—yes, really. Thinking about Asia-Pacific for your next incentive getaway? One of the world’s top cruise lines just charted a new course into the region.
As always, Smart Travel is here to bring you this week’s must-read travel and tourism news.
Beach.com Report Reveals American Travelers’ Recession Fears
A new report out this week from Beach.com shows that many American travelers are feeling the pinch of economic uncertainty, and it’s starting to shape where they go and how they spend. But instead of giving up their much-needed getaways, they’re getting creative and finding smart ways to make every dollar count while still making room for some well-earned R&R.
Key findings:
- 61% of Americans are concerned about a recession impacting their vacation plans, and 72% say they’ll adjust their travel habits if a recession occurs.
- 75% expect travel costs to rise in 2025 compared to 2024, prompting 47% to choose more affordable destinations.
- 67% of Americans are considering alternative vacation options, with 72% opting for road trips and 61% planning staycations.
- Despite economic uncertainty, 44% of travelers do not plan to purchase any travel insurance.
American survey respondents’ top alternative vacation options were road trips, staycations, local day trips or excursions, visiting National Parks and staying with family or friends.
What about those dreamy days spent in the sun and sand? The survey revealed 52% of respondents would rather stay at a budget-friendly beach accommodation, 25% would rather take a shorter stay at a luxury resort and 23% are skipping beach trips altogether.
If Americans’ fears of a recession do indeed become reality, almost three out of five say they will adjust their travel habits accordingly.
Robots Check In: Marriott and LG Tap RobotLAB to Transform Hospitality
Marriott International is stepping into the future of hospitality with the help of RobotLAB and LG. In a new exclusive partnership, RobotLAB has been named the only approved system integrator of LG robots across Marriott properties, bringing next-level automation to hotel operations nationwide.
Guests can expect to see cleaning, delivery and room service robots—many integrated with elevators—rolled out across Marriott hotels. These innovations are already in place in locations across the East Coast and are headed to Arizona, New Mexico and California next.
Read More: Automation in F&B Inches Closer to Domination
A standout debut includes the first LG room service robot in the U.S., now operating 24/7 at the Renaissance Dallas Hotel. The robot travels between floors delivering food, toiletries and other amenities, creating a smooth, contactless guest experience.
“We are honored to be the trusted System Integrator for LG robots in Marriott properties,” said Elad Inbar, founder and CEO of RobotLAB. “Through this partnership, we are not just deploying robots; we are redefining the hospitality experience by combining efficiency, reliability and a touch of innovation that enhances both guest satisfaction and hotel operations.”
As labor shortages continue to challenge the hospitality industry, Marriott’s move to integrate smart robotics aims to ease the burden on staff while elevating service standards for travelers across the country.
Oceania’s Riviera to Make Grand Debut in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific
Oceania Cruises is bringing its celebrated culinary- and destination-focused experience to new shores with the debut of Riviera in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific for the 2025–2026 season. This marks the first time the 1,250-guest ship will sail in the region, offering exclusive itineraries that blend gourmet discovery with immersive exploration.
From November 2025 through March 2026, Riviera will offer voyages ranging from 14 to 35 days, visiting hidden gems like Mystery Island in Vanuatu and Kangaroo Island in South Australia alongside iconic ports such as Sydney and Auckland. Guests can look forward to chef-led Culinary Discovery Tours, immersive excursions with local farmers and fishermen, and a brand-new hands-on cooking class, “Down Under Abundance,” showcasing regional ingredients and flavors.
“We are incredibly excited to bring Riviera to Australia and New Zealand for the first time,” said Jason Montague, chief luxury officer at Oceania Cruises. “This new chapter reflects our commitment to offering exceptional, immersive experiences that celebrate the region’s diverse cultures and breathtaking landscapes.”
Onboard, Riviera features the state-of-the-art Culinary Center, world-class dining venues including Toscana, Jacques and Red Ginger, as well as the luxurious Aquamar Spa + Vitality Center and a host of enrichment programs. Guests also have the option to extend their journey with curated pre- and post-cruise land programs, like stargazing on Great Barrier Island or hiking with a National Park Ranger in Australia’s Blue Mountains.
Aeroluxe Brings Boutique Private Jet Journeys to U.S. Travelers
Luxury travel takes flight as Aeroluxe Expeditions announces its entry into the U.S. market with its inaugural private jet journey, Colors of the World, set to depart in March 2026. Designed for discerning travelers seeking exclusivity and immersive experiences, this 22-day itinerary offers a global adventure aboard a VIP-configured Boeing 737-700—without the sky-high price tag typically associated with private jet tours.
The company limits each journey to just 52 guests, focusing on curated cultural encounters, privileged access to iconic sites, and seamless travel logistics that allow for more meaningful exploration at every stop.
“We’re excited to introduce American travelers to Piet Visser’s renowned expertise in designing immersive, luxurious private jet journeys,” said Neeta Raja, CEO of Aeroluxe Expeditions U.S. “Our boutique approach allows us to deliver an experience comparable to the best in the industry—at a significantly more appealing price.”
By eliminating layers of corporate overhead and costly advertising, Aeroluxe promises clients exceptional value while maintaining the quality and attention to detail of larger, more commercial operators.
Delta Targets Southwest Loyalists with Elevated Status Match Offer
Delta Air Lines is stepping up its loyalty game, aiming to attract frequent Southwest Airlines flyers who may be reconsidering their allegiance. During its Spring Showcase this week, Delta unveiled an enhanced status match offer that upgrades eligible Southwest Rapid Rewards members to higher SkyMiles Medallion tiers than previously offered.
Now through September 30, Southwest A-List members can receive Gold Medallion status in Delta’s SkyMiles program, while A-List Preferred members will be matched to Platinum Medallion—Delta’s second- and third-highest tiers. This is a bump from the airline’s usual policy, which would typically grant Silver and Gold status, respectively.
Read More: Southwest Commits to Groups with Simplified Booking, Investment in Routes and People
“If you have travelers that are considering switching from Southwest, now is absolutely the time,” said Dana Sample, Delta’s director of business-to-business marketing strategy and enablement.
The offer comes at a strategic moment, as Southwest prepares to end its long-standing “two bags fly free” policy on May 28, a change that has frustrated many of its frequent flyers. Delta is positioning itself as a more premium alternative, offering benefits like free seat upgrades, priority boarding and complimentary checked bags to match-tier SkyMiles members.
Also at the Spring Showcase, Delta shared updates on its commercial innovation plans. Sara Reid, managing director of sales and distribution innovation, said the airline will begin testing small-scale integrations of its NDC (New Distribution Capability) application with GDS partners in 2025. “You won’t see a large-scale launch of our NDC solution this year,” Reid said, “but we’ll be doing small-scale testing with our GDS partners to optimize our technology.”
Delta also announced that by the end of March, free Wi-Fi will be available for SkyMiles members on all flights to Europe and Israel, expanding on its transatlantic rollout that began last summer.
