The travel industry analyzes Trump’s potential impact on the sector, artists interpret the meaning of home in a new Cooper Hewitt exhibition, and Asheville reopens to tourists after Hurricane Helene. All that and more in this week’s Five on Friday.
How a Trump presidency may affect the travel industry
A view of the U.S. White House from the South Lawn; photo courtesy of Adobe Stock
With Donald Trump returning to the White House for a second term, travel industry leaders are assessing potential impacts on the sector, Skift reports. Possible policy shifts may mirror what we saw during his first term, including tighter visa policies and potential travel bans against certain countries. Additionally, under the Biden administration, federal agencies strictly regulated mergers to protect consumer interests, but President-elect Trump’s approach could ease intervention, consequently reshaping competition. Changes may also be seen in areas like sustainable travel—as Trump has historically rolled back climate-focused regulations. Tariffs and trade tensions could affect aircraft supply chains, and changes in immigration policies could have significant implications for international labor.
Artists explore what home means through design
Installation of “The Underground Library” by the Black Artists + Designers Guild in Making Home—Smithsonian Design Triennial at Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum; photo by Ann Sunwoo © Smithsonian Institution
What makes a home? Artists interpret this question in this year’s Making Home—Smithsonian Design Triennial, an exhibition at New York’s Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum that looks at design’s role in shaping the physical and emotional experiences of home across the U.S., its territories, and Tribal Nations. The 25 commissioned installations are organized by themes that evoke different experiences of home, whether it’s “going home,” “seeking home,” or “building home.” Alexandra Cunningham Cameron, Cooper Hewitt curator of contemporary design and co-organizer of the triennial, tells Smithsonian Magazine that “design can mean so many different things to so many different people. We were really thinking about a theme that would allow us to talk about design and make it real and relatable to people. Home can be a neighborhood. It can be a country. It can be a feeling.”
This ship harnesses renewable energy via its sails
The neutral-toned interiors of the sustainable expedition cruise ship Captain Arctic; rendering courtesy of Selar
Selar’s expedition cruise ship Captain Arctic is hard to miss. Its five retractable sails, which rise vertically across the 230-foot vessel, are no ordinary ones—they’re constructed from weather-resistant aluminum and covered in 21,500 square feet of solar panels that harness wind and sun energy. When these two energy sources are unavailable, two propeller shafts act as hydro turbines to power the boat. Sailing the Arctic to Norway, Svalbard, and Greenland, the cruise aims to emit 90 percent less emissions than most of its counterparts in the region, writes Designboom. Onboard amenities include a gym, sauna, dining area, and activities like fishing and polar plunges. The ship will embark on its first voyage in November 2026.
Asheville revitalizes tourism after Hurricane Helene
The Radical Hotel in Asheville’s River Arts District is gearing up to reopen its doors after Hurricane Helene; photo by David Mitchell
Asheville, North Carolina suffered the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene when it tore through the southern U.S. in September, killing 101 people in its path, and leaving damaged roads and a tainted water system. Its destruction has hit the tourism industry, which accounts for 14 percent of private employment in the four counties centered on Asheville, writes The New York Times. Floodwater closed off two roads to major tourist destinations like Biltmore Village, the RiverArts District, and access to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This has led to an unusually quiet fall tourism season, even in less affected areas. With last weekend’s reopening of the Biltmore Estate, a major attraction, local businesses are hoping this will kickstart a much-needed economic revitalization.
BDNY kicks off this weekend!
The Goodrich-crafted Romer Hell’s Kitchen lobby, a 2024 Gold Key Awards finalist; photo by Read McKendree
BDNY kicks off this evening with the 35th annual Platinum Circle Awards gala at the Lighthouse at Pier 61 in New York, where visionaries Liz Lambert, Tom Ito, Ave Bradley, and Alan Fuerstman will be honored for their lifetime achievements. The excitement will continue at the Javits Center on Sunday, November 10th and Monday, November 11th with the BDNY trade fair and conference, featuring 650-plus booths, insightful conversations, and networking opportunities. The weekend wraps up with the Gold Key Awards gala at Cipriani 42nd Street, celebrating winners and finalists from 23 project categories, the 2024 Boutique 18 class, BD’s Up-and-Coming Hotelier of the year Neena Gupta of Miiro Hotels, and Designer of the Year, Goodrich. There’s still time to register—we hope to see you there.
