We’ve collected 10 newsworthy bits and pieces over the past few days and weeks, curated for a quick read.

Afar — The media company announced its acquisition of Suitcase Magazine, based in the UK. Afar expects to double its impact as a leading voice in affluent traveler content over the next five years.

Amtrak — After years of delays and extensive testing, Amtrak launched its next-generation Acela train on the Northeast Corridor, featuring a top speed of 160 mph, modern amenities and improved Wi-Fi.

Destination Door County — The Wisconsin DMO offers gift certificates to local businesses: shops, restaurants, galleries, and service providers as an easy way to show appreciation while reinvesting in the community.

Discover Lancaster — The Pennsylvania DMO in the heart of Amish Country has appointed Lou Hammond Group for public relations.

Mexico — Although arrivals from Canada, historically America’s most reliable inbound market, were down 19% in January through June 2025, Mexico arrivals were up. In the first half of 2025, Mexican visitation to the U.S. jumped 12.5% year-over-year.

New York City Tourism + Conventions — Foot traffic in Manhattan has surpassed pre-pandemic levels, according to Placer.ai, a firm that monitors pedestrian activity across the country. Visits to office buildings in the city’s commercial districts were up 1.3% last month compared to July 2019, subway and commuter rail trips were significantly up, a milestone in the city’s resurgence since the pandemic that puts NYC at the forefront of major U.S. cities.

Pure Michigan — The state tourism campaign created a room and body spray($32) based on the scents of a Michigan summer in partnership with The Aroma Labs, a Michigan-based chain of shops. A candle is coming soon and autumn harvest and winter snow scents are due to be released. The scent was shared in travel magazines as a scratch and sniff panel.

Visit California — The new Accessibility Hub is a comprehensive online resource designed to give travelers with disabilities more ease and confidence when exploring the state. The initiative provides tools, tips, and curated content developed in partnership with expert disability experts Sophie Morgan and Cory Lee. www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ncXIbjC9CU

Visit Florida — “Live More Floridays” is a new brand campaign from Visit Florida in partnership with Margaritaville. A music collaboration by Grammy Award-winning artist Mac McAnally reimagines Jimmy Buffett’s song. www.youtube.com/user/VISITFLORIDA

Visit Reno Tahoe — The DMO has selected Miles Partnership as agency of record, supporting strategy development, paid media planning, digital content creation, data analysis and national campaign execution.