May Edition: What's News?

We know that the news is a lot right now: tariffs, debt, sentiment drops, airport meltdowns—you name it. But guess what? Travel’s still moving. And your data shouldn’t just sit there while the headlines spin. It should help you act.

So here’s your cheat sheet to the 5 biggest travel and economic signals this week—and exactly how to use the Datafy technology at your fingertips. 

Let’s dig in:

📰 Record TSA Screenings, Despite Consumer Anxiety
Source: TravelAge West 

💡 How to Use Your Data:
People are still traveling— so let’s lean into understanding the wheres and whys. Use your data to break down where your air travelers are coming from and compare them with your drive visitors. Filter by spend and trip length to understand who's making those decisions to travel, even in times of uncertainty. Then, double down on that group. Build messaging that plays into their motivations—escapes, milestones, reunions—and run attribution to see which emotional hooks actually convert.

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📰 Newark Flight Reductions + ATC Shortages = Air Travel Headaches
Source: Reuters

💡 How to Use Your Data:
Planning around air access? Proceed with caution. If your destination leans on airports like Newark or others prone to air traffic control disruptions, it’s time to stress-test your drive market strategy. Dive into your data to find alternative feeder markets that don’t rely on major airport hubs. Bonus move: track shifts in travel behavior from delayed regions and see if those frustrated fliers are choosing drive trips instead. React fast to catch that detour traffic before your competitors do.

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📰 RevPAR Forecast Toned Down to +1.3% for 2025
Source: CBRE

💡 How to Use Your Data:
Revenue’s still growing—but just barely. Now is the time to make your ads pull more weight. Use your attribution data to prove which campaign messages are actually turning into bookings and visits. Want to get extra efficient? Match lodging performance data with campaign timing and geography to fine-tune where and when to spend your next dollar.

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📰 U.S. Consumer Sentiment Falls (Again)
Source: AP News

💡 How to Use Your Data:
Consumer confidence is low - so give them certainty where you can. Highlight value-first offers, simple itineraries, and low-stress planning. You can even use your Datafy portal to find audiences who’ve traveled during past periods of economic instability. (They’ve shown they’ll still go, even when the vibes are off.) Build custom segments based on budget behavior or past travel tendencies and lean into clear, no-surprises messaging. ("No hidden fees" might hit harder this year than "luxury getaway.")

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📰 Focus on the Roadtrippers
Source: AP news

💡 How to Use Your Data:
According to AAA, 87% of travelers were planning to drive to their Memorial Day destinations this year. This isn’t just a stat. It’s your playbook. Right now, the primary opportunity for most destinations continues to be drive markets. Driving clearly remains the dominant transportation mode for U.S. travel. And while air travelers often stay longer and spend more - maintaining their status as an extremely valuable segment - the vast majority of visitors still arrive by car. This is why domestic drive markets should remain a primary focus right now - and luckily, Datafy’s technology is built to help you capitalize on this group: Use geofencing to see where your drive market travelers are actually coming from, not just where you think they are. Build lookalikes based on past road trippers and launch short-lead campaigns that target last-minute planners within your 2–5 hour drive radius. This is the moment to work smarter in your backyard before chasing long-haul dreams.

Bottom Line:
Yes, the travel landscape may feel unpredictable right now - both economically and behaviorally -  but your data still delivers the insights you need to move forward with confidence. It’s showing you where the opportunities are—today, not six months from now. Don’t wait for the next market shift. Use your tools, trust your insights, and start adjusting in real time.

Need help spotting your next move?
You’ve got the data. We’ll help you read it.