Market Trends

🙂 Red Sea Global (RSG) launches Red Sea Residences, a luxury residential subsidiary offering homes along the Saudi Red Sea coast. Shura Residences, the first development, is on Shura Island with handovers by end 2025, featuring 11 resorts, an 18-hole golf course, and access to beaches and marinas. Properties include SLS Residences (15 units from 130-423 sqm) and Four Seasons Signature Residences (75 villas from 414-534 sqm). Shura Marina Residences offers 36 apartments (190-364 sqm). The Red Sea opened to guests in 2023, with five hotels and Red Sea International Airport, which started domestic flights in September 2023 and international flights in April 2024. RSG aims to complete 16 hotels by 2025 and open 25 resorts with nearly 450 luxury residences by end 2025.

🍴 Livia Gueissaz, a Fashion Analyst and Influencer, recommends curated dining experiences for Valentine's Day, highlighting the world’s top restaurants for their unique tastes and cultural offerings. Paris's Table by Bruno Verjus, ranked third globally, is known for 'The Ultimate Egg'. Italy's Lido 84, near Verona, is famous for 'Cacio e Pepe en Vessie', a pasta dish slow-cooked in a pig’s bladder. L.A.'s Kato blends Taiwanese with Californian cuisine, featuring 'Abalone with Fermented Black Bean Sauce'. New York's sixth-ranked Atomix offers a Korean heritage menu with dishes like 'Jangajji'. Rome's two Michelin-starred Il Pagliaccio fuses Italian flavors, featuring 'Duck Three Ways'. Barcelona's Disfrutar, named World's Best Restaurant in 2024, is known for avant-garde Mediterranean dishes like 'Panchino'. São Paulo's Tangará Jean-Georges offers a Chef’s Table experience with French, Asian, and Brazilian influences. Zurich's two Michelin-starred Pavillon serves 'Lobster Medallions with Truffle Sauce'. Reservations are advised for Valentine's Day due to exclusivity.

🏖️ The 45th edition of FITUR 2025 took place from January 22 to 26 at IFEMA Madrid, attracting a record 255,000 visitors, including 155,000 professionals. The event generated an estimated €445 million economic impact for Madrid, influencing sectors like hospitality, restaurant, mobility, culture, and leisure. This marks a significant uptick and recovery of the tourism sector.

🎿 Interior designer Dorothée Meilichzon revamped the 113-room Experimental Chalet Val d'Isère hotel, infusing interiors with playful ski-inspired elements. Located in Val d'Isère, France, the design features giant ski bed heads, fox door-knockers, and furnishings echoing local Savoyard craft traditions. The design aims to contrast traditional materials with contemporary details, offering a fresh take on alpine decor while maintaining a ski resort atmosphere.

📌 At the Americas Lodging Investment Summit, held at the JW Marriott LA Live in Los Angeles, lodging company executives discussed the impact of political factors like tariffs, taxes, and President Trump's policies on their decision-making. Aimbridge Hospitality's Craig Smith and Marriott International's Tony Capuano emphasized the need for stability and economic vitality for business growth. Hilton's Chris Nassetta expressed optimism that Trump's focus on immigration, taxes, and deregulation would benefit the hospitality industry. Immigration reform was a focal point, with illegal immigration levels reportedly three times higher in the past four years than under previous presidents, drawing comments from InterContinental Hotels Group's Elie Maalouf. Investment in the hotel sector was also a key topic; JLL predicts a 15% to 25% increase in global hotel investment volume in 2025, based on the relatively low $57.4 billion in 2024, the third-lowest since 2012. Expectations are for private equity to play a significant role in hotel asset purchases in 2025. Additionally, executives discussed the trend towards brand conversions, especially in Europe, where nearly half of hotels are unbranded, and the potential for further industry consolidation and adjacent market expansion. Diversity and inclusion (DEI) efforts were affirmed by CEOs amid discussions on Trump's approach to DEI at the government level.

🏩 Michiel Bakker, President and CEO of the Culinary Institute of America, highlighted the future of culinary and hospitality education on Jan. 30, 2025. The episode is supported by Shiji Group, a global hospitality technology leader. Bakker's discussion is aimed at hotel brands worldwide, focusing on streamlining operations and enhancing guest experiences. Music for the episode was produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound, a company specializing in music identity design for hospitality brands.

🏡 Bunkhouse Hotels opens its first property in Houston, the 71-room Hotel Saint Augustine, featuring the flagship restaurant Perseid, led by Chef Aaron Bludorn, who previously helmed Café Boulud in NYC. Perseid opened on January 16 and offers a 118-seat bistro with Texas Gulf Coast and French-inspired cuisine, serving meals throughout the day and adding brunch on weekends. The group also plans to open Hotel Daphne in Houston's Museum District in fall, with 49 rooms and a new Jo's Coffee location targeted for winter 2025.

🏨 U.S. hotel industry forecast for 2025: ADR +1.6%, RevPAR +1.8%, occupancy up to 63.1%, indicating steady growth. Economic stability with low unemployment, slowing inflation, and solid business investment contributes to the positive outlook. High-end hotels expected to lead performance. Trade and immigration policies could pose risks to inbound travel. Labor costs stabilize, GOP margins improve slightly. Growth in group and business travel anticipated, F&B departments to see high growth rates.

🏨 Hospitality Ventures Management Group (HVMG) launches Elevate Renovations + Development, an Atlanta-based firm offering development, project management, and advisory services to the hospitality industry. For over 20 years, HVMG has managed projects for over 65 hotels. Elevate's recent work includes a $19.6 million renovation of The Darwin Hotel, completed in 9 months, earning two Gold Key Awards in 2023. The new entity expands HVMG's services beyond its portfolio to meet growing demand.