Market Trends

📈 Corporate hotel bookings increased by 11.1% domestically and 9.8% internationally in the first half of 2026, according to Navan's July 15 report. Domestic business spending surged 21.5% as trip volume rose 8.8%, indicating spend per trip grew about 2.5 times faster. Business and first-class air bookings rose 19.3% on international routes. Professional services led growth with a 44.6% increase in average air and hotel spend. Navan's data reflects its clients, not the entire market.

💰 Rocco Forte Hotels, as of July 17, 2026, pays advisors within 24-48 hours post-processing via Sion. The industry's average payment time is 39 days post-checkout, with Onyx CenterSource handling commissions for most. Only 52% of hotels use direct debit, causing delays. Rocco Forte commits to 20-day payments post-checkout. ASTA plans to publish a watchlist for late-paying hotels. Ensure your hotel's checkout-to-commission timeline is minimized to avoid advisor dissatisfaction.

🛫 WASHINGTON, D.C.—The American Hotel & Lodging Association survey reveals 57% of Americans find travel costs higher than last year, yet 56% still plan summer trips. Despite price hikes, 69% value vacations, opting for closer destinations and budget-friendly travel modes. Travelers cut shopping (43%), dining (39%), and entertainment (26%) first, preferring hotels with perks. AHLA's Rosanna Maietta states vacations remain a priority, with travelers favoring road trips and hotels offering complimentary amenities to enhance experiences.

🌍 More than half of British inbound tourism businesses expect summer bookings to remain stable or increase, per a UKinbound survey. From July to September, 33% anticipate visitor numbers to match last year, while 29% foresee a rise. Revenue yields are expected to stay flat for 34% of businesses and increase for 32%. Long-term confidence is up, with 50% optimistic about the next year. Growth is driven by advance bookings and demand, but the US market shows mixed results.

📈 In 2023, the IDC MarketScape evaluated worldwide revenue management systems for the hospitality industry. This analysis helps hospitality leaders navigate competing vendor claims and product comparisons. The IDC MarketScape provides a detailed assessment of top software providers, aiding decision-makers in selecting the right revenue management solutions for their needs. This report is crucial for understanding market positions and technological capabilities.

🏨 A 120-room hotel spends €24,000 annually on labor gathering data, leading to a €40,000 annual loss, including €16,000 from delayed decisions. For a group of 11 hotels, the cost escalates to €440,000. Inefficiencies arise from poor forecasting, overstaffing, and wasted resources. Classic Norway Hotels reduced spreadsheet use by 95%, saving 4,800 hours yearly. Implementing unified forecasts and synchronized decision-making across properties can significantly reduce these costs.

🌏 By 2028, Asia Pacific's short-term rentals will capture 25% of the accommodation market, rising from 22% in 2025. The market is projected to reach $48.9 billion. This growth is driven by dense megacities where hotel supply is unable to meet demand.

💸 Fiscal year 2025 saw financial improvements and expansion for major hotel groups. The top global hotel group earned over $26 billion, while its Western competitor earned less than half. Hyatt, Accor, and IHG earned $7 billion, $6 billion, and $5 billion, respectively, despite their lower room rankings. In profitability, Wyndham and Choice Hotels lead with $11 billion and $4.8 billion market capitalizations, achieving high margins due to an asset-light model. Wyndham’s EBITDA margin is 50%. Hilton ranks 2nd in market capitalization.

🏨 By year-end 2025, major hotel groups reached a record with nearly 2.5 million rooms in development, half under construction. The luxury segment grew 8%, led by the Middle East, especially Saudi Arabia. Asia-Pacific saw 230,000 new rooms, with China's urban centers dominating. The Middle East plans to expand from 500,000 to 800,000 rooms by 2030. Notably, Hilton, Marriott, and IHG showed significant portfolio growth. Jin Jiang is expanding in the Middle East and India amid restructuring.