Skift Travel Health Index: May 2025 Highlights
In May 2025, Skift Travel Health Index, at 102, indicates a period of balanced growth in the global travel industry. While the hotel sector faces challenges and revised forecasts, the strong performance of vacation rentals and steady growth in other segments paint an optimistic picture for global travel.
Report Overview
This report highlights the latest insights from the Skift Travel Health Index. The index covers travel's performance since January 2020, up to and including May 2025.
The Skift Travel Health Index is a real-time measure of the performance of the travel industry at large, and the core verticals within it. The Index provides the travel industry with a powerful tool for strategic planning, which is of utmost importance as times remain uncertain.
Skift Research launched the Index in May 2020 as the Skift Recovery Index. At the start of 2022 we rebranded the Index as the Skift Travel Health Index, to reflect some far-ranging changes: the addition of many more indicators, additional data partners, and most importantly, our continued effort to track the industry health beyond the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
We are thankful for the continued support of our other data partners: Amadeus, Aviasales, Beyond, CarTrawler, Cendyn, Cloudbeds, Collinson, Criteo, Duetto, Hotelbeds, Key Data Dashboard, Lighthouse, Nium, OAG, Onyx CenterSource, Shiji Group, Skyscanner, Sojern, The Data Appeal Company, TravelgateX, and TrustYou. Their data allows us to provide you with a monthly assessment of travel's performance.
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Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Jilted Bride Says She's ‘Gobsmacked' After Her Bridesmaid Made a Big Decision on What Would've Been Her Wedding Day
A woman canceled her wedding in Italy after discovering that her fiancé had been cheating with "numerous women" In a Mumsnet post on June 23, she revealed that some of the wedding party went ahead with going to the European country for the weekend She was left "gobsmacked" when one of her bridesmaids got engaged during the trip on the day that would've been her weddingA jilted bride is accusing one of her bridesmaids of being 'insensitive' for announcing their engagement. On Monday, June 23, the woman penned a Mumsnet post explaining that she found out four months ago her fiancé was cheating with 'numerous women,' and so their wedding that was set to take place in Italy was canceled. She said some of the bridal party decided to go ahead with going to the European country for the weekend, as they had already paid a 'big expense' for their flights and accommodation. 'My best friend (and bridesmaid) was one of these guests and she contacted me via FaceTime yesterday to tell me her boyfriend proposed on Saturday (which should have been my wedding day) on the beach in Italy 🙈,' the woman wrote. 'I was absolutely gobsmacked and replied, saying I was pleased for her, but I needed time to process the news and ended the call,' she continued. 'I am happy for her, but I do feel it's totally insensitive, and I'm in total shock.' Struggling to accept her friend's happiness, the jilted bride asked, 'How do I move past this?' Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. The post garnered hundreds of responses with the majority of commenters arguing that her critique of her friend was unreasonable. Several people advised her to focus on how 'lucky' she was to have found out that her partner wasn't loyal before tying the knot and told her to put her hurt aside to celebrate her friend. 'It wasn't your wedding day,' one person wrote. 'Her life doesn't stop because you didn't get married. Her boyfriend proposed and she said yes, timing wasn't her choice. Sorry your ex was a d--------, but life goes on.' 'Was she supposed to turn him down because of the date? Or just not tell you?' another chimed in. 'I can understand why you'd be a bit sad about it, but she's not really done anything wrong.' is now available in the Apple App Store! Download it now for the most binge-worthy celeb content, exclusive video clips, astrology updates and more! A third said, 'I can only imagine what a tough day it was for you, sending you a hug. I think you're justified in feeling hurt. But your bridesmaid didn't ask to be proposed to, and I'm sure you'd have been thrilled for her had it been a different place and time. She has been insensitive in breaking the news to you in the way she has." "I'm sure in her shoes I'd have said 'I'd love to marry you, and my answer is 'yes' but I think we should get officially engaged somewhere else because after all, this should have been best friend's wedding day/location and I don't want to rub her nose in it,' ' the same person continued. 'I wouldn't fall out with her, but I would share your feelings with her sensitively.' Read the original article on People
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
North Korea just opened a beach resort for 20,000 people. But who will visit?
Kim Jong Un personally cut the ribbon on a new resort hailed by state media as a 'national treasure-level tourism city' — a lavish seaside development set against what human rights observers describe as stark realities of hunger and hardship across North Korea. According to the country's official KCNA news service, Kim opened the sprawling Kalma beachside resort with waterparks, high-rise hotels, and accommodation for nearly 20,000 guests — a sweeping display of extravagance in one of the world's most reclusive nations. The Wonsan-Kalma Coastal Tourist Zone, unveiled in a ceremony on June 24, is on North Korea's eastern coast. KCNA reported 'service for domestic guests will begin July 1,' but gave no details on eligibility or transportation. Earlier this month, North Korea announced the opening of Kalma train station, reporting it was built to 'ensure a high level of convenience for travelers to the coastal tourist area.' The Kalma beach resort is next to an international airport, another indication the project is aimed at attracting foreign currency. International attendance at the ribbon-cutting was limited to the Russian ambassador and staff, a nod to Pyongyang's growing alignment with Moscow amid deepening isolation from the West under Kim's authoritarian regime. In 2024 UN human rights chief Volker Turk described North Korea under Kim's rule as 'a stifling, claustrophobic environment, where life is a daily struggle devoid of hope.' Last year, small groups of Russian tourists visited North Korea for three-day ski holidays at Maskiryong resort, which has been a long-standing tourist attraction since its opening in December 2013. These, like all tourist experiences in North Korea, were heavily monitored and controlled by the government. Returning tourists told CNN that they were subject to strict rules about what they could and could not photograph and were required to watch a choreographed dance performance by North Korean children in addition to the outdoor activities. 'Wonsan-Kalma is open to just North Koreans for now, but we should not be surprised to see Russians at the resort in the not-too-distant future,' said Rachel Minyoung Lee, a non-resident fellow with the 38 North program at the Stimson Center. 'More broadly, the opening of a major beach resort like Wonsan-Kalma helps to reinforce the state media narrative of Kim's people-first policy and helps to balance out his greater focus on building up national defense,' Lee added. In a country where international tourism has been open mostly to Russian nationals since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, and where domestic travel is heavily restricted, the new development raises familiar questions about access, audience, and economic feasibility. 'The initial target for this resort is going to be the privileged domestic elite of Pyongyang, such as party officials and other high-ranking figures,' said Lim Eul-chul, a professor of North Korean Studies at South Korea's Kyungnam University. 'The ceremony of the Wonsan-Kalma resort reflects Kim Jong Un's vision of 'socialist civilization' and is part of his strategic effort to seek economic breakthroughs through the tourism industry.' North Korea's most notable experiment with international tourism came in the late 1990s, when it opened the scenic Mount Kumgang area on its southeastern coast to visitors from South Korea. The project was hailed as a rare symbol of inter-Korean engagement during a period of cautious rapprochement. Nearly two million South Koreans traveled to the site over the next decade, providing Pyongyang with a critical stream of hard currency. But the initiative came to an abrupt halt in 2008, after a North Korean soldier fatally shot a South Korean tourist who had reportedly wandered into a restricted military zone – an incident that underscored the fragility of cross-border cooperation and led Seoul to suspend the tours indefinitely. Many of the sites were demolished in 2022, including the Onjonggak Rest House hotel which had hosted cross-border family reunions. Kim had previously called the area 'shabby' and 'backward' during a visit. Indeed, a central question surrounding the new resort is if one of the world's most secretive and repressive countries is prepared to make a greater foray into international tourism, potentially adding to its foreign cash reserves and prestige. So far, Russians appear to be the only foreign tour groups granted access to the beach resort. Vostok Intur, a Vladivostok-based travel agency, is promoting three tour packages - one in July and two in August - priced at around $1,840. According to its website, the first tour is scheduled to begin on July 7 and will last eight days. Travelers will fly from Pyongyang to Wonsan, spend four nights at the resort, and visit the nearby Masikryong Ski Resort. Kim said an expansion of North Korea's tourism zones would be formalized during the ruling party's next congress, likely in the next few months. The lessons learned at Kalma would also be used to develop 'promising large-scale tourist and cultural zones' in other parts of the country, Kim noted. The personal investment of North Korea's leader was underscored by at least seven visits to the Kalma construction site, where Kim offered what state media called 'on-the-spot guidance' and pushed for 'world-class' standards. For Kim's regime, the resort's completion is perceived at home as a significant win and opportunity to showcase development amid stiff international sanctions. In another dimension of symbolism, the nation's leader was joined by his wife, Ri Sol Ju, and daughter, believed to be named Kim Ju Ae, who is widely seen as his likely successor. 'The apparent full attendance of Kim Jong Un's family at the event implies that the project is intended to carry forward the legacy of his predecessors and be sustained for future generations,' explained Lim of Kyungnam University. Plans for the resort were first announced in 2013 as part of Kim's broader vision to transform Wonsan, a historically significant port city, into a hub of economic and leisure activity. The project was delayed several times, most recently because of the pandemic and international sanctions targeting North Korea's nuclear and missile programs. Despite the projections of glamour across the new resort and images of an enigmatic leader touring wave pools and waterslides, experts expressed skepticism about the destination's prospects. 'Whether this resort will provide Kim Jong Un with his much-needed economic gain in the long-term, however, remains to be seen: Wonsan-Kalma is hardly a tourist hotspot in the first place,' said Dr. Edward Howell, a North Korea expert at the University of Oxford. 'Of note, since 2020, Kim Jong Un has adopted an increasingly severe approach towards social control; quashing any signs of the virus of outside information and ideologies entering the DPRK,' Howell emphasized. 'If any Western tourists do come to the resort, the ruling regime will no doubt want to ensure that their actions and movements remain regulated and controlled.'
Forbes
3 hours ago
- Forbes
Travel Just Got Riskier: How To Stay Safe In A Dangerous World
How do you travel safely at a time like this? getty Deborah Kaminetzky was canoeing through Peru's Amazon rainforest last week when the bombs started falling in Iran. She wondered about her return trip to the U.S. "I've discussed ways to get back to the U.S. should airspace be closed down," she says. The leading contender: Booking a cheap cruise through the Panama Canal and coming home by sea. Her backup plan wasn't paranoia, even though the Middle East is far away from South America. It was preparation. Days earlier, Iran's bombing had escalated global tensions, potentially throwing trips like hers into disarray. Kaminetzky, an IT project management consultant from Woodmere, NY, says she felt safe in South America, but the prospect of returning to the U.S. with the world on edge puts her on edge. "I'm watching the skies," she adds. Travel isn't as safe as it used to be It's not your imagination. Travel just got a little riskier. A U.S. State Department worldwide advisory now urges Americans to exercise increased caution abroad. Rising crime, protests, and retaliatory threats have turned once-benign destinations into potential flashpoints. "Yes, travel is more dangerous right now," says John Gobbels, chief operating officer of Medjet, a medical transport and security response program for travelers. But dangerous how ? In the past, many destinations had specific, well-known risks that travelers could prepare for, according to Frank Harrison, regional security director for the Americas at World Travel Protection. "Today, the risks are more complex," he adds. "They're often layered, ambiguous, and harder to spot. This makes travel potentially more dangerous, especially for those who are unaware of these evolving challenges." What are travelers afraid of? Nearly half (47 percent) of travelers surveyed by Squaremouth expect flight delays and disruptions to be worse this year than in years past, signaling growing concern ahead of the busy summer season. "Growing unpredictability is fueling anxiety among travelers," says Squaremouth spokesman Ned Tadic. The latest Global Rescue Summer 2025 Traveler Safety and Sentiment Survey finds over 80 percent of travelers say they are either "very concerned" (28 percent) or "somewhat concerned" (55 percent) that instability could still affect travel through the end of 2025. "While the ceasefire has brought a measure of relief, it has not fully restored traveler confidence," says Global Rescue spokesman Bill McIntyre. Where are the new danger zones? I asked security experts, insurers, and seasoned globetrotters to help identify the dangerous places for travelers. Their advice: Rethink where you go, how you get there, and what you buy. Don't go here. There are a few Middle East destinations that shouldn't be on your list now, according to Gobbels. He recommends avoiding the Gulf states, including Oman, UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain. Obviously, Israel and Iran are off-limits during any conflict. He's also concerned about conflict erupting between Taiwan and China. If things take a turn for the worse there, you might want to reroute your trip to Hong Kong. Level 4 "Do Not Travel" countries, such as Iran, Russia, and Haiti, are no-gos, but Level 3 spots like Egypt also warrant scrutiny. "Even Level 2 countries have Level 4 zones," he warned, citing India's border with Pakistan. The touristy areas. Valerie Bowden, a frequent traveler who runs an outsourcing agency, says it's not just the country, but also the location. For example, the anti-tourism protests in France make touristy areas particularly vulnerable. She's avoiding popular museums in Paris this summer. "I've never been more hesitant to travel as an American than I am now," she adds. (And don't forget Spain, where they're squirting tourists with water pistols.) Even the borders can be dangerous. Rob Housman, a Washington, D.C.-based attorney and national security expert, says many travelers are getting snagged at the border, coming back into the United States. His advice: Disable biometric identification on your phone. "That way, the CBP can't use your eye or finger to access your phone," he says. He says the government has been reviewing users' social media, and you could get detained if you've posted something objectionable. Housan also recommends using privacy apps for email and other communication, which are more difficult for agents to access. How do you travel safer this summer? But experts say you can still travel this summer without incurring unnecessary risks. Monitor your whole itinerary. Arthur Harris, a security consultant, just rerouted clients from Dubai to Frankfurt after Gulf airspace closures stranded passengers. He says it's important to review your entire itinerary for security vulnerabilities. Check for connections in major hubs that could be vulnerable, such as Abu Dhabi, Dubai or Doha. "Watch your entire itinerary — not just the destination," he stressed. "A connection in a shutdown zone can wreck your trip." How about travel insurance? War or acts of war have generally been excluded from coverage for standard travel insurance policies, according to Terry Boynton, president of Yonder Travel Insurance. "And since the war and conflict in Israel have been ongoing since 2023, any claims related to those events likely won't be covered." Pro tip: If you're heading somewhere with growing tensions or just feeling uneasy, purchase a plan with 'cancel for any reason' benefits. "It lets you cancel for reasons outside the standard list and still get some of your money back,' says Wendy Stahl, travel insurance product director at AXA Partners US. Get help. A travel advisor can help you monitor your trip and recommend changes you need to make for a safer trip. Your travel insurance policy can also help. For example, Allianz Travel Insurance has a mobile app called Allyz with destination-specific safety and security alerts that will warn you about known risks at your destination. The app and the alerts are free for anyone to download and use. "When travel is unavoidable or catastrophe strikes while you're traveling, there are ways to mitigate your safety risk and ensure you're able to continue with your trip or return home when it's safe to do so," says Daniel Durazo, a spokesman for Allianz. Speaking of insurance, is it too late to get coverage if you've already booked your trip? Not necessarily, says Will Nihan, president of Travelex Insurance Services. 'If you've already booked your trip, it's not too late to purchase travel insurance with coverage for events such as terrorism," he explains. "However, you must purchase your policy before the event becomes foreseeable to be eligible for coverage. It's a good practice to review the policy details thoroughly before you buy to understand any limitations.' When should you bail out on your trip? I asked several travel experts when they'd cancel a trip. The consensus: If the State Department declares your destination a Level 4 "Do Not Travel" country. If an airspace closure at your destination lasts more than 48 hours. If there's no safe way to reroute you through a different airport, land, or sea route. But don't be too trigger-happy with a cancellation, advises Leigh Matthews, a therapist in Barcelona who has worked with thousands of nervous travelers. "My advice is to separate media-driven fear from actual risk assessment," he says. "Check government travel advisories for your specific destinations, not general news coverage. If you're genuinely concerned, adjust your itinerary rather than canceling entirely. Psychological preparation and having backup plans reduce anxiety more effectively than avoidance." My advice on traveling during an uncertain time I'm on the road constantly — in fact, I'm writing this on a plane between Okinawa and Seoul — and I think a certain amount of anxiety is to be expected at a time like this. But I've heard all kinds of overly cautious advice. For example, some experts have told me to avoid Turkey and Cyprus, which is absurd. Cyprus is on my itinerary in a few months, and I visited Turkey last fall. Another thing I've noticed: A lot of travelers are trying to invoke their own fears and new State Department warnings to get a refund on a nonrefundable airline ticket. But that's not how it works. An airline has to cancel your flight for you to be eligible for a refund, or you can file a claim on your "cancel for any reason" travel insurance policy, if you have one. All of which brings me to my advice, which is to stick to your plans. You'll know when it's too dangerous to travel. The airport will close, your hotels will shutter, you won't be able to rent a car. Don't let tourism protests deter you, because if you're reading this story, I can already tell you that you're not one of those tourists. You'll be fine. "It's important to remember that no travel destination is entirely safe," says Susan Sherren, founder of luxury travel agency Couture Trips. A proactive mindset is essential in today's unpredictable travel climate. Oh, and what about Kaminetzky, the IT consultant from New York? She got back to the States just fine. Apart from a brief delay, her flight home was uneventful. No one interrogated her at the airport. And she's already planning her next vacation — to a safe destination, of course.
