Latest news with #JiminShim
Business Insider
14-06-2025
- Business Insider
Economic anxiety or not, Americans are still prioritizing Euro summer travel
Happy Saturday! Apparently, some people are looking up at the stars for help in deciding where to move. It's called astrocartography, a form of astrology. Would you try it? On the agenda: Cancer doctors say exercise is better at preventing colon cancer recurrence than drugs. Sunglasses are the "it" accessory of the summer. Seven men shared their favorites. The millennial obsession with longevity is making compression socks cool. A top chef shares red flags to watch out for at seafood restaurants. But first: Vive la Europe! If this was forwarded to you, sign up here. Download Business Insider's app here. This week's dispatch The American Euro summer dream Despite very real economic anxiety, some American travelers aren't giving up their dreams of climbing the Eiffel Tower, sitting on the Spanish Steps, or sipping an Aperol spritz in the Italian sunlight. "Traveling is very important to me," Jimin Shim, a millennial living in Denver, told BI's senior reporter Kelsey Vlamis. "And because I know that that is a priority for me, it's something that I budget for and am saving up for all year round." Shim plans to travel with her mom to Portugal later this month. She's part of a larger trend of Americans who are still traveling to Europe despite a laundry list of potential issues: an uncertain economy, a weakened US dollar, and a changing perception of America partly due to Trump's tariff policies. In fact, Vlamis reports that Allianz Partners, a travel insurance and assistance company, found that summer travel from the US to Europe is set to increase by 10% this year, according to a recent data analysis. Still, many travelers are waiting longer to book to score the best deals. They're also choosing budget-friendly accommodations once they arrive. Others are swapping their itineraries altogether to save money. Travel content creator Meredith Pierce said she's noticed that travelers who intended to take trips to Italy and Paris are now opting to travel to Albania or Poland, countries with similar climates and vistas. Despite rising costs, Shim said her trip to Portugal is worth it for the reprieve alone. "Traveling and spending quality time with family who loves you is a great way to just take care of your mental and emotional health too," she added. Exercise is actually a drug A randomized controlled trial of exercise as a cancer treatment found brisk walking prevented recurrent colon cancer. Eight years out, 90% of patients in the exercise program were alive compared to 83% in the control group. Results of the study were presented at the biggest annual cancer conference. It shows that exercise is more than just a way to boost quality of life — it's a treatment. . Four grocery store items colon cancer doctors avoid — and three they love I attended the world's biggest cancer conference. Doctors gave standing ovations to two major breakthroughs. Throwing shades Sunglasses are the go-to accessory this summer, more for fashion than functionality. (Want to wear them at night? Go for it.) Seven men shared their favorite pairs with BI, from luxe brands like Cartier and Gentle Monster to the Gen Z-forward Crap Eyewear. Tinted lenses are also trending. Sock it to 'em Millennials can still dictate cool. They're a big reason why compression socks are becoming increasingly popular among young people, including their Gen Z counterparts. Compression socks are designed to reduce inflammation and increase blood flow, making them a great fit for millennials' love for products that boost longevity. They can also be a game changer for people who are pregnant or do a lot of exercise. Plus, there are some pretty cute designs. Seafood red flags Aidan Owens is the executive chef at Herb & Sea, a top restaurant in Encinitas, California. His menus exclusively feature ingredients sourced by local farms and independent fishermen, so he knows how to find good seafood. That said, Owens also knows how to spot when a restaurant may not have good seafood. Do the oysters smell like the ocean? Does your server know where the fish came from? If no, it might be a sign the restaurant isn't sourcing its ingredients sustainably. What to watch out for. What we're watching this weekend "Snow White": See what all the fuss is about as the live-action version of Disney's beloved classic is now available on Disney+. "Echo Valley": In this new thriller on Apple TV+, Julianne Moore plays a Pennsylvania farmer whose life turns upside down when her daughter (Sydney Sweeney) comes home in an alarming state. "Titan: The Oceangate Submersible Disaster": This chilling documentary on Netflix delves into what led to the horrific 2023 implosion of the Titan submersible during its voyage to the Titanic wreckage. Deals we love Men's dress shoes: Step up your style game in and out of the office with these expert-approved dress shoes for men that are polished, comfortable, and actually worth the investment. Tangled necklaces? Not on our watch: These travel jewelry cases tested by a pro travel writer will keep your favorite pieces safe, organized, and knot-free. Swimsuits that won't let you down: Supportive, stylish, and made to move — we tested tons of styles to find the swimsuits that actually work for bigger busts (and still look amazing). More of this week's top reads: Danny Boyle made sure "28 Years Later" was worth the wait. The sneaky new friendship divide between millennials and Gen Z. This summer, people aren't just eating hot dogs — they're wearing them. The Labubus got me — and I learned a trick to finally buy one. Millennials who don't want kids explain their choice to be child-free, prioritize travel, and pursue their "dream life." I love weddings, but I leave them early — even if I adore the couple. It's not so wrong, especially if you do it right. A man proposed to his partner with a stunning engagement ring. She returned the favor with his dream Rolex. A 41-year-old longevity doctor says his "biological age" is 24. He takes three supplements daily. Want a baby this year? Brace yourself. How Patrick Schwarzenegger spends his 5 to 9 — from getting 10,000 steps to eating Japanese sweet potatoes. The BI Today team: Dan DeFrancesco, deputy editor and anchor, in New York City. Grace Lett, editor, in New York. Lisa Ryan, executive editor, in New York. Akin Oyedele, deputy editor, in New York. Amanda Yen, associate editor, in New York. Elizabeth Casolo, fellow, in Chicago.
Business Insider
08-06-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
American tourists can't quite quit Europe
The American dream may be struggling, but for many, the Euro summer dream is alive and well. Jimin Shim, a millennial copywriter who lives in Denver, has plenty of concerns about the economy, from stock market volatility that she feels has been brought on by the current administration to a tough job market. Still, she's vacationing in Portugal later this month, and treating her mom to the trip too. "Traveling is very important to me. I try to do at least one international trip a year and then maybe a couple of domestic trips," she told Business Insider. "And because I know that that is a priority for me, it's something that I budget for and am saving up for all year round." While there's been some softening in leisure travel demand this year, data and surveys suggest Shim is one of many Americans who are weighing their international travel plans against their worries about the economy and saying, "book it." The extent to which Americans are pulling back on international trips this summer is not fully clear. An analysis from Cirium, an aviation analytics company, found summer bookings from the US to Europe were down nearly 10% from January to May compared to last year. Meanwhile, a summer travel survey from Deloitte, released in May, found more Americans were traveling internationally this summer compared to 2024, with most headed to Europe. And a recent data analysis by Allianz Partners, a travel insurance and assistance company, found summer travel from the US to Europe would increase by 10% in 2025. The economy isn't the only reason Americans might rethink travel to Europe this summer. The weakening US dollar doesn't go as far as it used to, and some Americans are worried about their safety or not feeling welcomed abroad due to the current administration's approach to foreign policy. Americans are also waiting longer to book their trips, which could complicate the picture. Still, it's clear that many Americans are traveling abroad despite the downturn in consumer sentiment. "I think you're seeing a hesitancy," Amir Eylon, president and CEO of Longwoods International, a market research consultancy that specializes in the travel tourism industry, told BI. "I still believe a majority of American travelers who were planning to go abroad are still going to go abroad." The enduring appeal of Euro summer Eylon said that while there are indications of a slowdown, it does not look like a "game-changing" shift. His firm's monthly consumer sentiment survey of 1,000 travelers found the number of American travelers who said they were very likely to take an international trip in the next 12 months declined from 25% in January to 19% in May. He noted travelers seemed to be in a "wait and see" mode this spring, echoing what other industry experts have said and previously told BI — that travelers are booking closer to travel dates, in part as they search for good deals. Eylon said it is possible there will be an overall decline in Americans visiting Europe this year, but it's too soon to tell the full picture. He thinks those canceling or ditching trip plans will be in the minority. "American travelers view it as a need more than a want," he said of travel, adding that many see it as a "right." Meredith Pierce, a travel content creator based in Atlanta, said that's exactly how she and many other millennials and Gen Zers view travel, including to Europe. Pierce posts a lot of popular "Euro summer" content and sees it as a persistent and lasting travel trend, even when folks have financial concerns. "Everyone loves the idea of sipping an Aperol spritz and looking at the Mediterranean," Pierce said, "especially if maybe you are stressed in your day-to-day life because of politics or the economy or budgets, or anything like that. A bit of escapism I think comes into play there as well." The hesitancy fueled by economic uncertainty could also make it a bit more affordable to travel to Europe this summer. Eylon noted the slowdown in leisure travel led to some declines in airfare prices, which may have pushed some hesitant Americans to take the plunge. When economic concerns, largely fueled by Trump's tariff policy, intensified in March and April, some airlines suspended their forecasts for the year, and flight prices declined. Rather than get spooked by the economic uncertainty, Pierce believes plenty of people pounced. Her "Euro summer" content from last year started going viral, and she was getting flooded with DMs and questions from people who found a cheap flight to Europe and were suddenly planning their trips. Pierce said some budget-conscious travelers are opting for more affordable and under-the-radar destinations in Europe, such as Albania or Poland, which feature similarly picturesque scenes but at a lower cost than Italy or Paris. More frugal spending once they get to their destination Deloitte's summer travel survey noted that many American travelers already had their big summer trips partially or even fully booked by April, when concerns around tariffs and the economy intensified. The survey also found that while consumers' sense of financial well-being was down year-over-year in April, slightly more Americans planned to take leisure vacations this summer compared to 2024. Deloitte found travelers looking to save were cutting back on in-destination spending as well as opting for more affordable lodging and flight classes. The survey also found that while some are being more frugal, many Americans are prioritizing bucket list trips and international travel, or trips that are otherwise special in some way. Deloitte found 42% of air travelers were flying internationally on their longest summer trip, compared to 38% in 2024. Those traveling internationally were also more likely to increase their travel budget compared to last year. Shim, the copywriter from Denver, also has a special reason for making her Portugal trip work this year, despite her financial concerns. Her family has been going through a tough time after her grandfather's death last year. This vacation is a way to spend quality time with and treat her mom, who has never been to Europe, and take the first trip that's just the two of them. "I also think that sometimes in these times of uncertainty and tumultuousness and a lot of tension and division, traveling and spending quality time with family who loves you is a great way to just take care of your mental and emotional health too," she said, "which I think is also very important to do."
