Planning to journey to D.C. for a June occasion? You’ll need to take a second have a look at your flight plans—an upcoming navy parade is predicted to upend air site visitors at Ronald Reagan Airport. Nonetheless curating your journey inspo on Pinterest? Based on a brand new report, you’re lacking out on supercharging your searches. Hoping your subsequent occasion leaves a lighter footprint? Hawai‘i simply handed a game-changing local weather measure that ties tourism to environmental impression.
As at all times, Sensible Journey is right here to deliver you the most recent must-read journey and tourism information.
Royal Caribbean Pronounces Management Shift on the Helm
Huge modifications are on deck at Royal Caribbean Group. After almost 4 a long time as chair, Richard Fain will step down from his position in This autumn 2025, although he’ll stay on the board. President and CEO Jason Liberty, who has led the corporate since 2022, has been elected to succeed him as chairman.
Learn Extra: Royal Caribbean Launches “World’s Greatest Weekend” Cruise with New Mega-Ship Utopia of the Seas
Fain, credited with reworking the cruise trade, mentioned, “It’s time to hand the wheel to the subsequent technology of outstanding expertise…and I’m very assured that below Jason’s robust management, the Royal Caribbean Group will speed up to even higher heights.”
Liberty added, “I look ahead to persevering with to create and ship the last word trip expertise for our visitors.” With cruise-based gatherings gaining recognition, Royal Caribbean is signaling to planners a dedication to maintain innovating.
AI Surpasses Social Media in Journey Discovery, Says Accenture
Based on Accenture’s new report, “Me, My Model and AI,” generative AI has formally overtaken social media and on-line journey businesses (OTAs) as a go-to supply for journey inspiration and planning. Amongst lively customers, 37% now flip to AI first for journey concepts, in comparison with 29% who go to social platforms and 14% who use OTAs.
For assembly planners, this indicators a significant shift in how attendees could also be discovering locations, venues and experiences. As AI turns into extra trusted (Accenture discovered that 36% of customers see it as a “good pal”) it’s turning into a strong affect in shaping selections.
Learn Extra: How Occasion Planners Are Utilizing AI in 2025
“Manufacturers that hesitate danger falling out of the consideration set altogether,” the report warns. “However people who act now…can form the way forward for AI-driven advertising and commerce.”
Planners ought to contemplate how AI can help every part from personalised pre-event suggestions to on-site engagement instruments. As the way in which folks analysis and resolve the place to go evolves, so ought to the technique behind how your occasion will get found.
Hawai‘i Enacts Nation’s First Inexperienced Payment to Fund Local weather Resilience
Planning a gathering in paradise might quickly include deeper goal. Hawai‘i Governor Josh Inexperienced simply signed Senate Invoice 1396 into regulation, creating the nation’s first statewide “Inexperienced Payment” to help local weather resilience, sustainable tourism and environmental restoration.
Beginning in 2026, the transient lodging tax (TAT) will enhance by 0.75% and, for the primary time, apply to cruise ships docking in Hawai‘i. The aim? To boost an estimated $100 million yearly to guard the islands’ pure and cultural sources and ensure guests share within the accountability of preserving Hawai‘i for future generations.
Learn Extra: Qurator: Hawaii’s New, All-encompassing Tourism Certification Program
“At present Hawaiʻi ushers within the first Inexperienced Payment within the nation,” mentioned Governor Inexperienced. “As an island chain, Hawaiʻi can’t look forward to the subsequent catastrophe to hit earlier than taking motion.”
Future occasions in Hawai‘i’ll mirror a strengthened dedication to sustainability, and attendees can really feel good realizing their keep helps fund actual restoration.
ASTA Warns New U.S. Journey Ban May Disrupt International Conferences and Tourism
As President Trump prepares to enact a brand new journey ban affecting 19 nations, the American Society of Journey Advisors (ASTA) is urging policymakers to think about the broader financial and diplomatic penalties.
The chief order, set to take impact June 9, bars residents from 12 nations—together with Iran, Somalia and Myanmar—from getting into the U.S. and locations extra restrictions on vacationers from seven others. Although there are exceptions for twin residents, authorized residents and choose visa holders, the directive echoes related insurance policies from Trump’s first time period.
“Secure, safe and open journey are foundational to our world,” mentioned ASTA CEO Zane Kerby. “When governments impose restrictions that restrict entry and motion…it sends a ripple impact via international commerce [and] opposes the very spirit of what journey represents.”
The brand new restrictions might complicate worldwide attendee logistics and restrict the worldwide variety of future occasions hosted within the U.S. As journey stays a key driver of cross-border collaboration, ASTA is asking for balanced options that keep safety with out undermining connection and change.
FAA Warns of Flight Disruptions at DCA on June 14
A navy parade celebrating the U.S. Military’s 250th anniversary is predicted to disrupt air journey via Washington, D.C., on June 14. The FAA has confirmed that airspace round Ronald Reagan Washington Nationwide Airport (DCA) might be briefly closed to accommodate flyovers and fireworks tied to the occasion, doubtless impacting a minimum of 116 flights.
“There might be some disruption to the airspace at occasions,” mentioned D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser. “We don’t know when that’s, however that would have an effect on, for brief intervals of time, air journey.”
Whereas the principle impression might be felt at DCA, vacationers with connections or night arrivals on the East Coast ought to double-check itineraries. Reagan Airport is urging passengers to contact their airways for rebooking choices and contemplate public transit as a result of native street closures.
For these planning occasions within the capital or routing audio system and attendees via DCA, it’s a good suggestion to flag this date and construct in flexibility. Various airports like Dulles (IAD) might provide smoother journey that weekend.
