A video capturing a man's priceless "magical" reaction to being surprised by his girlfriend at a hotel in Italy has gone viral on TikTok.
The footage was shared by travel bloggers Jen, 31, and Adam, 28, who are collectively known as @digitalhippieagency on TikTok and Instagram.
The clip, which has amassed over 454,000 views since it was shared on June 4, showcases arguably one of the best hotel room views—the Leaning Tower of Pisa—the breathtaking Italian landmark seen from the Prato dei Miracoli Residenza d'Epoca hotel in the city. A message overlaid on the clip reads: "When your boyfriend is excited to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa, not knowing you've secretly booked a hotel room opposite..."
Jen told Newsweek she found the hotel on Booking.com and "decided to surprise Adam as he visited Pisa as a child and has fond memories."
There was no occasion for the surprise, Jen said, adding, "We just love to surprise each other often as I think 'gifting' is both of our love languages."
The couple, who did not share their last names, said that they are based between Brighton in the United Kingdom and the Spanish island of Ibiza. They capture their freelance videographer life through a series of TikTok and Instagram posts, with their love for surprises reflected in their travel adventures. The viral clip is one such glimpse where Jen surprised Adam with a hotel room offering a direct view of the monument.
The clip shows Adam walking into the room before he is shown leaning backward in sheer shock, after spotting the view of the tower from the window. He is later seen jumping and clapping in joy and opening the curtains and windows for a closer view, while dancing in place with his hands in the air.
A December 2023 survey by Euromonitor International, the market research firm, found that travel is poised to reach record highs by 2024, with global tourism spending anticipated to hit the $2 trillion mark, sparked primarily by leisure demand.
The 2024 State of the Industry report by the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA) posits a promising improvement in the U.S. hotel occupancy rates. Expected to reach 63.6 percent, only 3.4 percent below the pre-COVID-19 pandemic statistics reported in 2019, it shows the hospitality industry's resilience and gradual recovery.
Furthermore, the report highlights friendliness and cleanliness as overriding factors for positive guest experiences, showing a realigning focus on customer-first approaches.
'Golden Retriever Energy'
Jen said that the hotel was so lovely and exceeded their expectations with its spacious rooms, aesthetics, and, of course, the perfect view.
She added: "It was also really reasonably priced, to everyone's surprise... we've had really lovely messages, and we hope it's encouraged people to travel as there is so much of the world to see."
TikTok users were delighted by the man's reaction to his girlfriend's surprise.
Immy Wehner posted: "He's so excited and it's magical."
Katrina commented, "Awww the energy and excitement," and mollykilbs added that the man has "Golden retriever energy."
Medusa Pain wrote, "This man is so wholesome!" while Daoltheanga noted: "The sheer joy on his face."
Aimée wrote: "Joy is contagious cos I am BEAMING at this joyful man. Such a thoughtful idea too!!"
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