Disney’s New Toy Story Land and 7 Other Tourism Trends This Week

Throughout the week we post dozens of original stories, connecting the dots across the travel industry, and every weekend we sum it all up. This weekend roundup examines tourism.

For all of our weekend roundups, go here.

>>Disney's Hollywood Studios has been a construction site for years now, which can be off-putting to guests. Some will visit for the new Toy Story-themed land this year, but we expect the biggest crowds to appear in 2019 for the Star Wars expansion: Disney’s New Toy Story Land Will Make a Play for Millennial Parents

>>Travel is supposed to be the grand connector. Yet, whether consciously or not, the travel publishing world seems to be failing to seize a moment to champion what it always has championed — that travel helps reduce prejudice, bias, and bigotry: Why U.S. Travel Media Won’t Tell People to Visit Russia

>>Japan lags far behind its Asian tourism competition in attracting Western visitors. As the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games approach, the country is adopting a new strategy for landing on the region's tourism medal stand: Japan Is Upping Its Tourism Game Before the 2020 Olympics

>>Just when you started having it up to here with ballyhooed buzzwords like millennial, authenticity, and experiential travel, along comes J. Walter Thompson with a whole new compendium of marketing terminology. Let's see what sticks: Targeting a New Microgeneration of Luxury Travelers

>>Six Flags had a good year, but a look at the bottom line shows a benefit from tax reform and lower compensation expense. The company is focusing on improving its underlying business, and keeping profitable parks open year-round is likely to help: Six Flags Will Consider Opening More Parks Year-Round

>>One lucky fan can enter for a chance to win two FREE tickets to the hottest travel conference in Europe. Will it be you? Ready to Try Your Luck? Enter Our Skift Forum Europe Contest

>>Wealthy tourists are happy to flash a helluva lot of cash to ensure what they are doing has rarely – if ever – been done before: Taking Personalization Up a Level

>>The cruise industry has long boasted of its value compared to land vacations. But Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings is notably not emphasizing low prices. It is instead working to get passengers to spend more on tickets, shore excursions, and onboard extras: Norwegian Cruise CEO Is Getting Bigger Spenders On Board