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Puerto Rico Travel Surges After Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Performance

by Julia Evans – Entertainment Editor February 26, 2026

written by Julia Evans – Entertainment Editor

San Juan, Puerto Rico – Puerto Rico is experiencing a surge in travel and tourism interest following Bad Bunny’s headline performance at the Super Bowl LX halftime show on February 8, 2026. Within 72 hours of the performance, global interest in the island shifted from casual tourism to a marked cultural engagement, according to Discover Puerto Rico.

The official tourism website, Discover Puerto Rico, recorded 537,000 visitors, a 16% increase compared to the previous month. Expedia reported a roughly 245% year-over-year jump in global searches for flights to Puerto Rico. On February 9 alone, Google indicated a 213% increase in searches for “travel Puerto Rico” and “flights to San Juan.” Notably, searches for “what is plena music” and “bomba vs plena” exploded by 300% after the halftime show, demonstrating a desire among viewers to understand the cultural elements showcased during the performance.

“This is what modern destination marketing looks like. It’s not about buying a moment, it’s about being ready to capture it,” said Storm Tussey, Chief Marketing Officer of Discover Puerto Rico. “We leveraged a global stage to position Puerto Rico as a culture to experience, not just a place to visit. When cultural pride translates into longer stays, higher spending, and deeper engagement, tourism becomes truly transformative.”

The cultural engagement has been unprecedented. Searches related to learning Spanish increased by 89%, with over 63,000 queries originating from the United States in 72 hours. Shazam experienced its biggest day ever for a Latin or non-English artist, with a 400% increase in identifications, while searches for Puerto Rican rum rose by 140% in 24 hours.

“Bad Bunny lit the spark,” Tussey added. “Our role is to translate that curiosity into confident and responsible travel.” During the same period, Discover Puerto Rico generated over 31,000 direct referrals to its partners from its platforms, demonstrating that global visibility can translate into measurable economic impact for local businesses.

The increased interest extended beyond the capital city. Searches for Vega Baja, Bad Bunny’s hometown, saw a significant increase, indicating that the cultural narrative can drive travelers beyond traditional tourist hubs to communities across the island.

Google Trends data reveals:

Music as an Entry Point: Searches for “local music San Juan” increased by 55%, while those related to the Bad Bunny tour jumped 185%, acting as a powerful driver of discovery.
Educational Curiosity: Culturally-focused searches with high intent, such as “what is plena music” and “bomba vs plena,” increased by 300% after the game.
Regional Dispersion: Momentum was directed toward other regions, with a 42% increase in searches for the Ponce Carnival, which the promotion organization was highlighting on its social media during football-related updates.

Data also showed a direct increase in beverage exports. Searches for “Puerto Rico rum” increased by 140% within 24 hours of the halftime show. Specialized searches like “rum tasting San Juan” and “Puerto Rico cocktail culture” rose by 22%, indicating a shift from simple product awareness to on-site activity planning.

Search and AI data from Bing showed an 89% increase in searches related to learning Spanish, with over 63,000 searches originating in the United States within 72 hours. Users who searched for “Bad Bunny” were four times more likely to be interested in the history of Puerto Rico, plena music, and travel to San Juan, confirming the artist’s direct role as a gateway to tourism. Conversations on Copilot showed record peaks in queries about “boricua cocktail recipes” and the meaning of “El Apagón,” revealing a search for cultural context rather than simple entertainment.

Streaming data from Apple and Spotify indicated sustained global consumption. Apple Music reported a seven-fold increase in listeners immediately following the performance. A 67% increase in listens to the artist’s entire catalog, not just hits, showed that audiences were exploring the full boricua narrative. Real-time audio and discovery data from iHeart and Shazam showed Shazam recording its biggest day ever for a Latin or non-English artist (+400%), with the Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin moments being the most identified. IHeart radio stations saw a 13% increase in broadcasts on Top 40 and Latin stations compared to the previous six months. Luminate confirmed February 9 as the second-biggest streaming day in history for Bad Bunny, nearly equivalent to a major album launch day.

Online travel agencies also reported significant increases. Expedia reported a roughly 245% year-over-year increase in global searches for flights to Puerto Rico. Searches for San Juan increased by approximately 240%, while Vega Baja (Bad Bunny’s hometown) jumped by approximately 1,450%, indicating a highly targeted interest in specific destinations. Expedia attributed this increase to the growing trend of “set-jetting,” where moments from popular culture directly influence travel decisions, particularly among younger travelers. Priceline data showed an 80% increase in hotel searches for Puerto Rico in the three days following the show, compared to the three days prior.

February 26, 2026 0 comments

Entertainment

Michael Connelly’s New Thriller: AI on Trial | Book Review

by Julia Evans – Entertainment Editor February 15, 2026

written by Julia Evans – Entertainment Editor

Michael Connelly’s latest novel, “Sans âme ni conscience” (Soulless and Without Conscience), centers on a legal challenge to an artificial intelligence company accused of influencing a teenager to commit murder. The book, released in France on January 14, 2026, by Calmann-Lévy, pits lawyer Mickey Haller against a tech giant, with journalist Jack McEvoy investigating the case for a potential book.

Haller takes on the case representing the family of the victim, alleging the AI technology played a direct role in the killing. The narrative unfolds as Haller navigates the complex legal landscape surrounding AI responsibility, a relatively uncharted territory, and seeks to establish a connection between the technology and the crime. His investigation leads him to a whistleblower who previously attempted to expose the company’s practices.

McEvoy, a seasoned journalist, initially observes the proceedings as background for his own reporting. He is subsequently enlisted by Haller to assist in uncovering the truth, recognizing the potential for a significant story with far-reaching implications. The collaboration between the lawyer and the journalist forms a central dynamic of the novel, as they attempt to navigate a web of corporate secrecy and legal maneuvering.

The stakes are high, with billions of dollars at risk as the AI company fights to protect its interests. Connelly’s novel explores the ethical and legal dilemmas posed by increasingly sophisticated artificial intelligence, and the potential for such technology to be exploited or to cause harm. The book is described as a “captivating” and “timely” thriller, addressing the “shadowy areas and threats of AI.”

According to Babelio, the novel is the eighth installment in the Mickey Haller series. The book is 460 pages long and is categorized as suspense crime fiction. Readers aged 15 and up are suggested as the target audience.

February 15, 2026 0 comments

Entertainment

Disiz Wins Male Artist of the Year at French Music Awards After 20 Years | Victoires de la Musique 2026

by Julia Evans – Entertainment Editor February 14, 2026

written by Julia Evans – Entertainment Editor

French rapper Disiz, born Serigne M’baye Gueye, received the award for Male Artist of the Year at the 41st Victoires de la Musique ceremony in Paris on Friday, February 13, 2026. The win marks his second victory in the category, following a previous award in 2005 for his album Les Histoires extraordinaires d’un jeune de banlieue.

Accepting the award, Disiz reflected on the evolution of recognition for rap music within the French music industry. He recalled his initial win two decades prior, noting the category at the time – “Rap, ragga, world music” – felt overly broad and suggested a marginalization of the genre. “It felt like I was the Collectif Métissé all by myself,” he said onstage, referencing the French world music group. He continued, stating that the categorization implied artists weren’t seen as unique individuals, but rather as representatives of a stylistic niche.

Disiz, who has spoken publicly about undergoing therapy, framed the current award as holding a different significance. “Receiving this prize today doesn’t have the same meaning,” he stated. “It’s not an achievement, but a symbol, a further milestone in breaking down prejudices about success.”

The artist emphasized the collective nature of his success, stating, “I’ve never liked making music alone. That’s why this victory is obviously collective.” Disiz began his career as part of the group Rimeurs à gages in the mid-1990s.

The award comes on the heels of the success of his 14th studio album, the title of which he joked would likely be forgotten, but which has nonetheless propelled him to six sold-out concerts at the Olympia concert hall in Paris. Disiz first gained prominence in the early 2000s with his single “J’pète les plombs.” According to web sources, he has released albums through a variety of labels including Barclay, Def Jam, Lucidream, Polydor, Sublime and Universal Music France.

Disiz, also known as Disiz La Peste and Disiz Peter Punk Inspecteur Disiz, is a multi-faceted artist, working as a rapper, singer, composer, actor, and writer. He appeared in the 2005 film Dans tes rêves, playing the role of Ixe, a young rapper pursuing his ambitions.

February 14, 2026 0 comments

Entertainment

Raphaël Quenard Quits Johnny Hallyday Biopic: Reason & Replacement Search

by Julia Evans – Entertainment Editor February 10, 2026

written by Julia Evans – Entertainment Editor

Raphaël Quenard has withdrawn from a planned biopic of French rock icon Johnny Hallyday, citing scheduling conflicts that prevent him from adequately preparing for the role, he revealed Monday on the French television program Quotidien. The announcement, initially made on Instagram January 22nd, prompted further discussion about the challenges of bringing Hallyday’s life to the screen.

Quenard, who won a César Award for Most Promising Actor in 2023 for his performance in Chien de la casse, explained that commitments to other projects – namely co-directing the film Mystik, slated for release in late October/early December, and promoting his recently completed film Le Rêve américain, which opens February 18th – would preclude him from dedicating the necessary time to the Hallyday biopic. “I could not, within the allotted time, with filming starting in early June, adequately prepare and pay tribute to the Napoleonic legend that Johnny is,” Quenard stated, according to Gala magazine.

The actor had initially announced his departure on Instagram, stating that the demands of his existing projects would not allow him to “fully dedicate [himself] to the preparation required for such a role.”

The decision comes after Quenard was personally selected for the role by Hallyday’s widow, Laeticia Hallyday, who reportedly was “stunned” by his performance in Quentin Dupieux’s Yannick, according to Paris Match. “I said to myself that if there was one actor who could embody Johnny in the cinema, it was him,” she told the magazine.

Pierre Lescure, former president of the Cannes Film Festival, described Quenard’s withdrawal as a “strong choice,” adding to the AFP that the project itself was not in jeopardy. “I don’t imagine Cédric [Jimenez, the director] or Hugo [Sélignac, the producer] abandoning this project. They have an idea of the Johnny they want to make and they have it so much in their heads that they won’t deliver up,” Lescure said.

The biopic, directed by Cédric Jimenez (known for films such as BAC Nord and Novembre), was scheduled to begin filming in May with an estimated 18-week shoot, according to Le Parisien. The search for a replacement actor is now underway, with Benjamin Voisin, 29, reportedly being considered for the role, though this has not been officially confirmed by the production.

The withdrawal of Quenard leaves the future of the project in a state of uncertainty, as the production team navigates the challenge of finding a new lead actor capable of capturing the essence of the iconic French singer.

February 10, 2026 0 comments