International travel to the U.S. declines, Universal’s new theme park puts nature at the forefront, and luxury overtakes the Hamptons’ motel market. All that and more in this week’s Five on Friday.
International tourism to the U.S. is shrinking
Photo courtesy of Adobe Stock
Foreign tourism to the U.S. is on the decline, with Oxford Economics projecting a drop of $8.5 billion in international tourism spending this year, reports CNBC. A combination of factors—including strained trade and immigration policies under the Trump administration, a strong dollar, and weaker global economic growth—has made the U.S. less appealing to international travelers. Flight bookings between May and July are down 11 percent year over year, signaling a weak outlook. International arrivals are projected to decrease by 9 percent, and according to the U.S. Travel Association, each 1 percent drop in visitor spending results in $1.8 billion in lost revenue. At current rates, the country could see a staggering $21 billion in travel revenue losses by year-end.
A new Frida Kahlo museum to open in Mexico City
The new Frida Kahlo museum will open adjacent to Casa Azul (pictured), where the artist’s personal artifacts and art are now on display; photo courtesy of Adobe Stock
Frida Kahlo’s enduring legacy is set to expand with the September opening of Museo Casa Kahlo in Mexico City’s historic Coyoacán district. Located within the family’s Casa Roja estate, the new museum—designed by New York’s Rockwell Group—will focus on Kahlo’s early life and inspirations, showcasing pivotal figures and cultural movements in her development, along with rotating contemporary works by Mexican, Latin American, and women artists, writes ARTnews. Adjacent to the iconic Casa Azul, where Kahlo lived and worked with her husband and painter Diego Rivera, this space complements a collection of her personal artifacts and folk art. The house was gifted by the artist’s grandniece Mara Romeo Kahlo and is supported by Fundación Kahlo. “This is a dream long held by our family,” Romeo Kahlo said in a statement. “Frida’s legacy belongs to the world, but it begins here—on this land, in these homes, and in the culture that shaped her.”
Epic Universe puts nature back into theme parks
The plant-filled Celestial Park greets visitors at Epic Universe; photo courtesy of Universal Studios
Universal Orlando’s new Epic Universe theme park opened this month with a surprising twist: nature comes first. Visitors are greeted not by concrete paths and gift shops, but by winding pathways and more than 400,000 plants, reports Fast Company. This new arrival experience, called Celestial Park, serves as the hub connecting Epic Universe’s four immersive worlds, including Super Nintendo World and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter—Ministry of Magic. “We’ve put the ‘park’ back in theme park,” says executive creative director Steve Tatham. Inspired by the grandeur and optimism of historical world’s fairs, Celestial Park offers something for everyone—even those seeking tranquility and natural beauty over thrill rides.
Hamptons motels get a luxury makeover
The Barn at Three Ducks in Westhampton Beach; photo by Glen Allsop
Long associated with lavish summer homes and celebrity sightings, the Hamptons is undergoing a new type of luxury makeover, as former roadside inns are replaced with high-end accommodations, reports The New York Times. The Westhampton Seabreeze Motel and Montauk’s Sands Motel—once known for quilted bedspreads and white microwaves—are being redeveloped into upscale destinations. Occupying the former Seabreeze site, the just-opened Three Ducks hotel offers local farm stand breakfasts and beach cruiser bicycles. Offshore Montauk, which will take the place of the Sands Motel, will include a yoga and Pilates studio and a cabana-lined pool. Several private clubs—including restaurants with paid memberships that guarantee a table—are also debuting this summer on the East End. While some residents are concerned about rising prices and a shift in the area’s character, others see the changes as a response to evolving lifestyles and a growing demand for more refined lodging experiences.
Get inspired by HD’s What I’ve Learned podcast
Dr. Jonathan Leary takes a deep dive into his wellness concept, Remedy Place, and the power of social connection on the latest What I’ve Learned episode
Hospitality Design’s What I’ve Learned podcast series highlights the creative forces shaping the industry today. The latest episode features Dr. Jonathan Leary, who shares his pioneering take on self-care at Remedy Place, where wellness is both social and transformative. Previous episodes include Caroline and Sabri Farouki, who reflect on storytelling through design at their New Orleans studio, and architect Suchi Reddy, who discusses the power of empathy and human connection in the spaces we inhabit. Don’t miss these candid conversations—explore the full podcast catalog.
