Market Trends

🌎 Travel experiences grew by 17% in 2024, nearly tripling overall travel growth. By 2029, the sector is projected to reach $342 billion. Despite this, digital adoption lags, with only 33% of tours, activities, and attractions booked online in 2025, compared to 64% for overall travel bookings.

🌴 Golden Rock Inn in Nevis offers 11 rooms on a 100-acre estate. East Winds in St. Lucia features 30 cottage-style rooms on 12 acres, offering all-inclusive packages with complimentary weddings. Mansión Xodó in Mérida, Yucatán, is a luxury hideaway with six suites in a 19th-century residence. The Virtuoso 2026 Luxe Report highlights a shift towards slower, personalized travel. Small Caribbean hotels provide unique experiences, targeting affluent travelers seeking cultural immersion and wellness.

📰 Marriott launched the Bonvoy Design Shop in May, showcasing the shift in hospitality retail. Chris Breen, CEO of Openhouse, highlights the importance of quality, functionality, and accessibility over exclusivity. Popular items include nylon and linen hats for summer, transitioning to wool caps and hoodies in colder months. High-volume products like polos and bags drive demand. Breen emphasizes that independent hotels can leverage their unique identity to succeed in retail, focusing on utility and material quality.

🌮 From September 15, 2026, to November 24, 2026, Trejo’s Tacos launches a 10-week pop-up at Puttshack Bank in London. The venture showcases Cal-Mex cuisine with dishes like Carnitas and Spicy Shrimp and signature cocktails. Events include a VIP launch and Day of the Dead celebrations. Founded by Danny Trejo, Trejo’s Tacos operates six LA locations. Puttshack combines tech-enabled mini-golf with premium dining and has four UK and 19 US venues.

🗺 84% of APAC travellers view travel as vital for mental reset. 90% prefer adapting over canceling plans amidst disruptions. 73% prioritize local experiences and value when planning trips. 98% link travel to positive emotions, and 86% find anticipation uplifting. Despite concerns like extreme weather (35%) and inflation (30%), resilience prevails, with 90% willing to adapt plans. 84% use digital tools for planning ease. Booking.com surveyed 10,136 individuals across 10 APAC nations in May 2026.

🏨 Harpreet Singh, owner of Kings Court Hotel near Stratford-upon-Avon, UK, transformed the hotel a year after acquisition by focusing on foundational improvements like upgraded Wi-Fi and electronic locks rather than mere refurbishment. Emphasizing a service-first culture and team overhaul, he repositioned the hotel’s pub as a local hub. This episode of *Hoteliers' Voice* offers insights into Singh's leadership and operational excellence. Listen to discover how a clear vision revitalized the hotel.

💰 Budapest's hotel market showcased strong performance in H1 2026, leading CEE capitals in occupancy. Despite a 15% YoY RevPAR increase to just under €90, ADR remains fourth among CEE-6. GOP rose 4.9% but profitability varied. International visitors constituted 85% of stays. Upper Upscale and Luxury rooms, with 340 of 990 rooms, are expanding, boosting international appeal. The market anticipates 5% room supply growth in 2026. Investment is influenced by political factors, yet foreign interest is increasing post-elections.

🛍 According to the National Association of Convenience Stores, there are over one million convenience stores globally, forming a vast retail network. Skyscanner notes 39% of travelers explore local grocery stores for new food and drinks, 34% seek international brands, and 31% observe local product adaptations. Hotels can leverage this "Shelf Discovery" trend by connecting guests to local food culture, offering curated grocery experiences, and enhancing self-catering options, thus enriching authentic travel experiences.

🏨 July 28, 2026, Portsmouth, NH – Canada’s hotel construction pipeline hits a record with 345 projects totaling 47,874 rooms at Q2 2026, according to Lodging Econometrics. This marks a 4% rise in project counts and a 7% increase in room numbers year-over-year.