Market Trends

📊 RevPAR rose 6%, improving on last year’s GOP. If comparable hotels grew RevPAR by 2%, this is strong; at 12%, less so. Benchmarking offers valuable context beyond internal measures, comparing revenue, profit, operations, and expenses to identify where hotels outperform or fall behind. Metrics like MPI, ARI, and RGI show performance relative to the market. Understanding these helps improve hotel operations by focusing on specific areas, like labor costs or departmental performance, for sustained growth.

📈 In 2024, a study revealed a rise in guests leveraging negative reviews for perks, transforming loyal patrons into critics. A notable 2014 incident involved Union Street Guest House in Hudson, NY, which faced backlash for attempting to fine guests $500 for negative reviews. In extended stays, legal challenges arise as guests become de facto tenants, like in a 2022 Georgia case. Hotels must set clear policies to prevent loyalty from becoming leverage and ensure boundaries are maintained.

📈 Downtown Dallas hotels are adapting to changes including the $3.8 billion renovation of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, expected to reopen in 2030. The 2026 FIFA World Cup boosted hotel demand, offsetting disruptions. Occupancy rates fell to the low 60s in 2025, but ADR saw a 25% increase during World Cup months. Corporate relocations and new developments like the $850 million Therme resort impact the market. Future growth is supported by airport expansions totaling $11.5 billion.

🏨 Hosted by Adam Mogelonsky, Hospitality Net's Brand Insiders is a video series featuring innovative hotel brands. Watch a one-hour interview with Eivind Hjulstad, CEO of Citybox Hotels, discussing Scandinavian design and budget efficiency. Access the full video on Hospitality Net. For more insights, visit Hotel Mogel.

📍 Hotel lighting significantly impacts guest experiences. Warm lighting creates welcoming atmospheres, influencing how guests perceive quality. Bright, cool light suits energetic areas like gyms, while warm lighting enhances relaxation in rooms and intimacy in restaurants. Effective design uses ambient, pendant, and accent lighting to create depth. Adjustable lamps offer control, supporting comfort and brand identity. Lighting defines spaces, impacting moods and encouraging longer stays in shared areas. Thoughtful lighting design is crucial for memorable guest impressions.

📈 The IHG Owners Association launched the Owner Confidence Index (OCI) in September 2026 to gauge U.S. hotel owner sentiment on revenue and profitability. The initial survey scored 45.2, below the neutral mark of 50. Key concerns include rising costs (45%) and economic uncertainty (53%). Founded in 1955, the Association represents over 5,000 IHG hotel owners globally, providing insights beyond individual brands. OCI results are paired with CoStar’s forecasts to enhance industry analysis.

💸 September 22, 2026, Europe: Booking.com's Peter Lochbihler claims balanced hotel distribution, citing HOTREC study. Online travel agencies account for 29.9% of bookings, with Booking.com taking 66.1% of that, or 19.8% overall. Booking Holdings, including Agoda and Priceline, reaches 20.6%. The EU court upheld Booking's market dominance claim on September 9. Direct bookings stand at 51.3%. Independent hotels see Booking Holdings at 69.4% of OTA bookings. HOTREC urges Digital Markets Act enforcement.

📈 Indonesia's economy grew 5.03% in 2024 and 5.11% in 2025, supported by household consumption and public spending. Inflation is expected to rise to 3.4% in 2026. Tourism accounted for 5.1% of GDP in 2024, contributing IDR 1,138 trillion, with projections for 5.5% in 2025. The hotel market saw luxury and upper-upscale hotels lead recovery, while midscale hotels lag. Bali, Jakarta, and West Java face occupancy challenges despite ADR growth. Regional comparisons highlight Indonesia's price-centric recovery.

🏨 Access Point Financial released a report on hotel construction loans, highlighting key trends up to 2026. Hotel development is shifting from new builds to renovations due to rising costs. Luxury hotels show active construction with 59 projects underway by Q1 2026. Construction costs rose by 8% in 2022 and 6% in 2023. Hotel CMBS rates are 5.85%-6.85% as of July 2026. U.S. hotel supply growth dropped to 0.5% in 2025, leading to increased mergers and acquisitions.

📈 In H1 2026, Italian hotel investment hit €1.3 billion, down 18% YoY but 53% above the 10-year average. Milan's investment soared 143% YoY to €346m, while Rome dipped 36% to €308m. Cross-border capital accounted for 67% of total volume, with European buyers up 249% YoY. Italy's hotel RevPAR grew 11.3%, topping Europe, with Milan's February RevPAR up 206% due to the Winter Olympics. Tourist arrivals reached 88 million (+4.4% YoY).