Market Trends

💸 Global wealth has surged since 2000, growing at a compound annual rate of 3.4%, despite a 2022 dip. In 2023, the EMEA region led the rebound, while 2024 highlighted North America's growth, supported by a stable US dollar. The US and China comprise over 50% of personal wealth in 56 markets, with disparity between regions. UBS's Global Wealth Report indicates a steady decline in those with under $10,000 and anticipates continued growth this decade.

💬 Craig Poole discusses the transformative power of hospitality in revitalizing neglected areas. He emphasizes that hope is not just a wish but a result of deliberate, selfless actions and risk-taking. Leaders in hospitality can create hope by investing in people who are often overlooked. This episode highlights the role of hospitality as a profession focused on giving and building community. Poole's insights are valuable for those looking to implement positive change within the hospitality industry.

📅 November 2025, London hosted the World Travel Market (WTM), a key event for the travel and hospitality industry. Thousands of professionals gathered to discuss industry trends, innovation, and technology. TrustYou participated, engaging with brands like MEININGER and Mandarin Oriental, and tech partners Apaleo and Mews. Networking included informal events and a TrustYou Happy Hour. WTM 2025 reinforced its role as a hub for the global hospitality community, with anticipation already building for WTM 2026.

🏨 Josiah Mackenzie interviews Craig Poole, a three-time Hilton Connie Award winner and AHLA’s General Manager of the Year, about revitalizing struggling hotels and communities. Craig emphasizes changing perceptions to restore dignity and hope before financial gains. He highlights investing in people and community engagement to transform environments. 🏨✨

🗺️ Phocuswright's 2025 research, comprising 32 reports, uncovers global travel trends. In 2026, the projected $1.67 trillion market spans APAC, the Americas, Europe, and the Middle East. Consumer expectations are shifting in value and loyalty, while AI, fintech, and digital identity are reshaping travel commerce. The "Travel Forward" report, sponsored by Travel Guard, highlights industry segments and consumer behavior, supplying stakeholders with critical insights to navigate the evolving travel landscape.

🏨 In 2026, hotel pricing will evolve dramatically. Collaborative AI will replace outdated automation, learning from real operator decisions to enhance pricing strategies. Real-time pricing becomes essential as daily updates fall short amidst rapid demand changes. Competitive intelligence will shift from reactive to contextual, preserving rate integrity. Predictive demand signals will replace outdated forecasting. Staffing shortages necessitate AI adoption for operational efficiency. Embrace speed and consistency through AI to stay competitive in the dynamic hotel industry landscape.

🏨 In 2019, The Standard London transformed Camden Town Hall into a hotel. Madame Rêve followed in 2021 in the La Poste du Louvre. By 2025, over 20% of the workforce adopted remote work, prompting hotel conversions of abandoned office spaces. Savills highlights the economic benefits: hotels bolster local economies, sustain employment, and generate tax revenue. Hotel conversions align with ZAN and ESG goals, offering investors resilient, eco-friendly opportunities with lower environmental impacts than new builds.

📈 9 million square meters of office space were vacant in France in 2024. Of these, 2 million were structurally vacant, based on BNP Paribas Real Estate’s barometer. As hotel asset supply lags behind demand across Europe, office owners are considering alternative uses. Meanwhile, hotel investors are seizing opportunities to develop new destinations.

🖼 U.S. hotel occupancy fell in November 2025, marking a ninth consecutive month of decline. Occupancy was 57.9%, a 2.8% drop from November 2024. ADR increased by 0.6% to $153.77, while RevPAR decreased by 2.3% to $88.97. Tampa, Florida, saw the steepest declines, with occupancy down to 63.3% and RevPAR down to $97.57, largely due to Hurricane Milton's aftermath. Minneapolis and Detroit reported the lowest occupancy rates at 51.9% and 55.9%, respectively.

📈 December 2025, global hotel industry: Strategic growth through disciplined capital and targeted branding. Operators balance portfolio optimization amidst varying regional trends with new openings and asset transitions.