Market Trends

🏨 Best Loved Hotels has reported a 14.3% rise in reservations for its hotel members over the past year.

📚 STAAH has launched an eBook titled “The Right Channel Mix for Every Hotelier: OTAs, Metasearch, Direct & More” to guide hoteliers on online distribution strategies. The eBook offers insights into booking channels like OTAs, metasearch, and direct bookings. Adam Walsh, STAAH’s Head of Connectivity, emphasizes strategic choice over ubiquitous listing. The guide includes real-world examples, cost breakdowns, and optimal listing practices to balance visibility and cost for different hotel types. Download the eBook for free [here](https://go.staah.com/ebook/the-right-channel-mix?utm_source=blog-therightchannelmix&utm_medium=article-therightchannelmix&utm_campaign=ebook-therightchannelmix).

📈 Chronicling the first half of 2025, the H1 World Parity Monitor found that 75% of hotel searches show OTAs offering lower prices. In 33% of comparisons, OTAs undercut hotel websites. Hotels beat OTAs 45% of the time, achieving parity in 22%. Mobile searches show more undercutting at 38%, compared to 31% on desktops. By June, OTA undercutting dropped to 28%. Operational blind spots, according to experts, often lead to these disparities.

🏨 UK hotels' occupancy increased from 82.7% to 83% in June year-on-year, while London's occupancy rose from 86.4% to 88.1%, nearing the 2019 June record of 90%. These figures highlight strong demand, though rising staff costs remain a challenge. Data source: RSM.

💸 Our Stockholm hotel transformed guest experience via a simple NPS system, yielding a 70% response rate, vastly higher than typical 20-30% from email campaigns. Daily, the front desk manager spent 15 minutes calculating NPS, ranging between 45-50, sparking team discussions for improvement. This "Big NPS" approach predicted online reviews, guided action, and boosted short-term and long-term profits by fostering daily operational excellence and consistent, satisfying guest experiences.

🏨 In H1 2025, 123Compare.me found that 75% of hotel searches show lower prices on OTAs than hotel websites. Rate parity was achieved in only 22% of searches, worsening on mobile devices (38% undercut by OTAs). Hotels offered better rates in 45% of individual comparisons. Disparities are linked to OTAs managing payment flows and applying unauthorized discounts. For profitability, hotels must actively manage rate parity, review agreements, and enhance direct booking strategies.

🌱 By 2025, the UK's camping market is projected to generate $923.63 million, with a 3.64% annual growth expected through 2029, reaching $1.07 billion. For safe all-girls camping, choose accessible locations, research local wildlife, and ensure reliable transport. Stay connected with loved ones, plan inclusive activities, and prioritize self-defence. TorHoerman Law highlights Uber safety issues, urging thorough driver checks. Proper planning and safety measures enhance memorable camping experiences, fostering relaxation and bonding.

💸 BWH Hotels reported a 7% increase in total bedroom revenue, reaching £73.3 million for the first half of 2025, ending on 30 June.