Market Trends

🍻 In June, Britain's managed pub groups saw a 1.9% year-on-year increase in like-for-like sales, marking it their best month of the year, according to the NIQ RSM Hospitality Business Tracker. Pubs were buoyed by early World Cup matches and warm weather, welcoming England and Scotland fans for group-stage games, while other hospitality segments faced growth challenges.

🍴 Saladplate, the go-to hub for Hospitality, Food, and Beverage insights, is part of Informa Markets. It offers news, a monthly newsletter, and a bi-monthly e-magazine, alongside access to 10,000+ brands and updates from 35+ international trade events.

💰 In 2024, Minnesota welcomed 81 million visitors, generating nearly $15 billion in visitor spending. Lauren Bennett McGinty, Executive Director of Explore Minnesota, discussed with Glenn Haussman how the state agency generates $25 billion in economic impact. The interview detailed strategies and insights beneficial to hoteliers.

📰 Vanessa Watts and Erika Dray, founders of Watts & Dray in New York, launched their studio in 2021. They interviewed Paolo Ferrari and Courtney Lauderdale from Studio Paolo Ferrari, founded in 2016 in Toronto. The studio has worked on projects like Long Bar, Shebara Resort, Desert Rock, and Peridot. Ferrari, emphasizing the value of discipline, states, "It's about the idea," not just the object. They would still maintain their design studio even if they won the lottery.

🌎 In Lebanon, New Hampshire, the Global Rescue Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey revealed that 71% of international travelers haven't altered their plans despite rising costs. Among U.S. travelers, 73% maintained their plans, compared to 65% of non-U.S. travelers. To adjust, 16% reduced spending, and 6% postponed trips. Airfare costs increased for 77% of travelers, with hotel rates and dining costs also rising significantly, especially for non-U.S. travelers. This indicates travelers prioritize experiences over budget constraints.

📑 Jul 22, 2026, Markus Busch analyzes hotel wholesaler contracts, noting the "three strikes" policy by Hotelbeds, which monitors 60,000 sellers across 135 markets. Traditional fixed wholesale rates are outdated, causing rates to be undervalued. Dynamic wholesale rates are recommended. With the inability to enforce "opaque, package-only" clauses, hoteliers need better contract terms: dynamic rates, transparency on distribution channels, and kill-switch rights. Contracts must adapt to modern market conditions.

💪 In 2026, fitness emerges as a primary booking driver for hotels, influencing guest choices significantly. The Bellevue Hotel features a 105,000-square-foot fitness facility, while The BodyHoliday in Saint Lucia offers diverse exercise programs. EAST Miami provides a 24/7 fitness space. Equinox Hotels integrates a 60,000-square-foot gym with guestroom fitness equipment. EVEN Hotels offers in-room exercise gear. SIRO Hotels emphasizes cutting-edge fitness centers, marking a shift in hospitality trends towards health and wellness.

💰 Jul 20, 2026, by Markus Busch. The wholesale hotel industry is evolving, with traditional contracts becoming obsolete. Rocket Travel by Agoda, part of Booking Holdings, integrates hotel inventories into systems accessible to banks like Citi (since 2023) and airlines. HBX's single connection reaches over 60,000 sellers in 135 markets. Hotels face losing direct customer relationships as rooms sell through third-party portals, impacting loyalty. Wholesale deals now cost both margin and customer retention. The guest's stay remains the only chance for hotels to reclaim relationships.

💼 Liza Amlani, a former Ralph Lauren merchant with 20 years of experience, is exploring the relationship between retail and hospitality. Both sectors heavily depend on customer experience and frontline workers, whose input is frequently overlooked.

📚 Minor Hotels is expanding to America, aiming to become a transcontinental force led by CEO Dillip Rajakarier. Airport hotels, tied to air travel trends, are uniquely positioned. Aparium Hotel Group focuses on hyperlocal, trendy neighborhoods. India's luxury hotel sector is thriving, bolstered by domestic tourism and political support. Explore these topics in HOTELS Magazine's July/August issue, which also includes "The List," a global survey of hotel companies by rooms and properties.