Listen to today’s podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-travellers-daily/id1842920062
True Travellers Society Podcast — December 9, 2025
Today’s podcast episode was created from the following stories: a mix of travel tech upgrades, loyalty innovations, airport security momentum, and an off-road escape that might reshape your winter plans.
Uber Ski brings easy rides to winter resorts
Uber has launched Uber Ski across the U.S. and Europe, letting riders pre-book vehicles built to carry skis and snowboards—UberXL for smaller parties and UberXXL for bigger groups. You can reserve up to 90 days in advance, and through a Vail Resorts partnership, buy Epic Passes directly in the app. Running through March, the service aims to remove last-mile friction at major mountain destinations.
Uber’s AI Solutions arm is recruiting travel agents
Uber’s AI Solutions unit is hiring experienced travel agents, destination planners, and logistics pros to help train generative AI systems for external clients. The work targets itinerary design, booking flows, and compliance—areas where domain expertise boosts model accuracy. It offers short-term opportunities while reigniting debate about AI potentially automating specialized roles.
Samsung Galaxy XR gets realistic ‘Likeness’ avatars and Travel Mode
Samsung Galaxy XR’s first big Android XR update adds Likeness, a realistic avatar that replaces your camera feed on any video app after a quick phone-based face scan. A new Travel Mode stabilizes tracking on planes and trains, and PC Connect (beta) offers a built-in way to mirror or control a Windows desktop. Together, the features make XR more practical for communication and productivity on the go.
Dziki Bronco w hiszpańskiej Laponii, czyli offroadowa turystyka pełną gębą i to w grudniu
This feature spotlights Spain’s sparsely populated Cuenca province—nicknamed “Spanish Lapland”—as a quiet winter escape with dramatic terrain and a booming black truffle scene. Testing a Ford Bronco Badlands, the piece highlights rugged capability, easy clean-up features, and confidence on challenging trails carved through valleys, canyons, and high plateaus. For slow-travel seekers, it’s a December-ready alternative to crowded coasts.
Americans dissatisfied with travel security experience; demand 9/11 Passenger Security Fee put back where it belongs
A U.S. Travel–Ipsos poll finds Americans frustrated with airport screening and worried the U.S. is falling behind on efficiency. Voters overwhelmingly want Congress to restore the 9/11 Passenger Security Fee to TSA for modern tech—especially biometrics—and to pay essential staff during shutdowns. With mega-events looming, advocates argue reinvesting now would both speed lines and strengthen security.
Galaxy XR’s new feature makes video calls feel face-to-face
Google is rolling out Likeness to Galaxy XR in beta, letting callers appear as hyper-realistic avatars that mirror expressions and hand gestures. The Android Show: XR Edition also detailed PC Connect and a Travel Mode that can turn transit time into a cinema-like setup or focused workspace. Likeness is designed to extend across the Android XR ecosystem, hinting at broader adoption beyond Samsung.
Airport Security Solutions, Global, 2025-2030
Passenger volumes have surpassed 2019 levels, accelerating demand for biometric screening, AI-enabled threat detection, and integrated “smart airport” platforms. The market—spanning identity, screening, surveillance, cybersecurity, and command-and-control—is set for robust growth with players like IDEMIA, SITA, Thales, and NEC. Privacy, skills gaps, and costs remain hurdles, but modernization is advancing across regions.
Hilton expands loyalty program with debut of Hilton Honors Adventures
Hilton is adding “Hilton Honors Adventures,” letting members book experiences like AutoCamp glamping and, starting summer 2026, earn and redeem points on Explora Journeys luxury cruises. A preview offer includes 100,000 bonus points per suite plus onboard credits on select itineraries booked by June 7, 2026. It’s a strategic push to diversify points redemptions beyond hotel nights—mirroring moves by rivals.
From smoother mountain transfers and lifelike XR calls to next-gen airport security and richer loyalty rewards, today’s stories point to a single trend: travel is being reimagined end-to-end. As technology and partnerships reshape planning, transit, and experiences, the winners will be travelers who get more seamless journeys—and more ways to make them memorable.
