Aircraft manufacturer Natilus wants to build a new type of airliner to rival Airbus and Boeing as the industry demands more efficient planes.
26.10.2024 - 17:29 / skift.com / Sarah Kopit
The town smelled of autumn: damp leaves, cinnamon, and the faint, almost metallic bite of cold creeping through the trees. But it wasn’t just the pumpkin patches or the flickering jack-o’-lanterns that drew the tourists here. They’ve come for something darker.
They’ve come for the ghosts.
Halloween – which not long ago was a niche, semi-holiday of the school age set – has morphed into a high-revenue season for the travel industry, as haunted destinations draw tourists in droves, eager to immerse themselves in eerie experiences.
Consumer spending this Halloween is projected to surge to an eye-popping $12.2 billion, a strong rebound in holiday participation that exceeds pre-pandemic levels. Data from the National Retail Federation finds more Americans are engaging in Halloween-related activities, including travel.
Rising demand for experiences such as destination events, haunted attractions, and seasonal travel is fueling a significant portion of the spending increase.
Halloween is no longer just one night — it’s a whole season spanning from late September through October. From the haunted cities of Savannah to New Orleans, and further afield to the cobblestone streets of Edinburgh and Prague, the economic impact of spooky tourism is undeniable. Ghost tours and paranormal events now contribute up to 20% of local tourism revenues in these haunted hotspots.
No surprise, Salem, Massachusetts, known for the infamous Salem witch trials of 1692, is one the most booked cities for Halloween, according to Airbnb. The city generates more than 20% of its yearly stays during the month of October.
But it’s not just the traditional haunted locales that are cashing in. According to a recent report by World on Holiday, hotel bookings for Halloween surged 73% year-over-year, driven in large part by families craving a seasonal getaway. Solo travelers are also in on the action, with bookings up 59% compared to last year.
The real surprise? Minneapolis is leading the charge with a jaw-dropping 573% year-over-year increase in hotel bookings for Halloween. Atlanta isn’t far behind, boasting a 496% rise, while Charlotte, Kansas City, and Austin are also seeing major jumps with growth rates of 388%, 379%, and 302%, respectively. This surge reflects not just an appetite for seasonal travel, but a hunger for something more immersive — and, yes, spooky.
Destinations across the country are catching on. Kentucky Tourism’s “Kentucky After Dark” campaign, for example, has tapped into travelers’ love of “exciting yet safe” thrills, blending real history with supernatural folklore. In its debut year, the campaign generated 658 million impressions, a number that has since ballooned to over 1 billion.
Robbie Morgan, director of the
Aircraft manufacturer Natilus wants to build a new type of airliner to rival Airbus and Boeing as the industry demands more efficient planes.
Get ready for an inspiring journey at the Skift Aviation Forum in Dallas on November 12, 2024. This event gathers industry leaders and visionaries to illuminate the latest trends and transformative developments shaping the future of aviation.
It’s a season of savings for travelers seeking flight deals.Spirit Airlines has dozens of flight deals with one-way fares under $50 to popular destinations including Las Vegas, New York, Orlando, and more. The lowest price spotted in the promotion was just $11, for a flight from Las Vegas, NV to Sacramento, CA. The airline also has a variety of $20 flights including Dallas, TX to Atlanta, or Los Angeles (LAX) to Las Vegas. The deals are listed on the “Popular Flight Deals” within Spirit’s website.
Fall is one of the most beautiful times of the year. In the US, the leaves begin to change into vibrant hues, pumpkin patches and apple orchards welcome guests, sports seasons start to pick up, and, best of all, there’s a lull in the travel calendar causing prices to drop. One of the most highly anticipated sporting events this season is Formula 1's return to Las Vegas this year. Sin City is gearing up by offering bundle packages that combine race tickets with hotel stays on the strip. For hockey fans, Holston House Nashville is offering 10 percent off bookings and an exciting fan experience at their property. Guests can look forward to a custom jersey, dining credit, and themed cocktails.
United Airlines may have dropped nearly 40 U.S. cities during the pandemic, but one of them will soon see service on the carrier once again.
For travelers who are as passionate about food as they are about exploring new destinations, planning a vacation around a Michelin-starred dining experience can be the ultimate culinary adventure. It's the perfect excuse to catch a glimpse of high-profile chefs, discover unique ingredients and taste new techniques — and doing so may even give you a better appreciation for the culture and region you are visiting.
Both Walt Disney World and Disneyland will roll out a brand new system that will allow guests to join a Lightning Lane queue without a reservation — but it'll cost you.The Lightning Lane Premier Pass will use dynamic pricing based on demand and date of visit. Prices will also vary by theme park and are expected to range from $129 to $449 per person, per day — with the highest prices will occur during peak travel periods, like Christmas and New Year’s. Those eligible can purchase Lightning Lane Premier Pass up to seven days before their date of check-in at 7:00 AM ET and for their entire length of stay, up to 14 days. The pass can be purchased in the My Disney Experience app.
The 70 miles of California coastline that makes up the unincorporated area of Big Sur has a storied, almost mystical allure, largely thanks to its staggering beauty. With redwood forests, stunning Pacific views, winding rivers and natural hot springs, the area has for decades attracted celebrities, artists and millions of visitors. So many visitors in fact, that these days, Kirk Gafill, the president of the Big Sur Chamber of Commerce, estimates that 90 percent of the local economy is tourism-dependent.
Oct 17, 2024 • 5 min read
Whether your cinematic tastes tend more toward spine-tingling suspense, bloody gore, cheesy horror, or light-hearted fantasy, watching spooky movies is one of the best ways to get into the Halloween spirit. Since we can’t quite hop aboard flying broomsticks of our own and travel directly into the worlds of such films, visiting halloween movie filming locations in real-life is the next best thing. Although these destinations can be visited any time of the year, planning your “location vacation” during October often comes with special seasonal perks, like film screenings and even whole town transformations into their on-screen counterparts.
An upgraded travel experience just got cheaper. Delta Air Lines recently released hundreds of flight deals in their premium cabins, such as Delta Comfort+ and Delta One for travel throughout the fall and winter. Many of the tickets are priced under $1,000, and travelers can also redeem miles from Delta's SkyMiles program for seats at a discounted rate as well. Some of the lowest-priced flight deals to Europe include New York-JFK to London-Heathrow for only $703 round-trip in Comfort+, or 59,000 Miles, valid on travel from January 7, 2025 through March 6, 2025.
Many travelers want to see eclipses, meteor showers, volcanic eruptions, penguin migrations, and other natural phenomena. That was one trend highlighted in Expedia’s Unpack’ 25 report, released Wednesday.