Market Trends

🏠 Soho House, founded in London in 1995 by Nick Jones, turns 30 this year. It returns to private ownership under MCR Hotels, with Ashton Kutcher joining the board. The brand once symbolized exclusivity and creativity but faced challenges with overexpansion, a 30% membership rise since 2021, diluted quality, and a 45% stock drop. Going private aims to restore its iconicity, focusing on intimacy, creativity, and belonging, as advised by Nicky Della Mote.

🏠 The Inn at Loch Tummel in Pitlochry, Scotland, is marketed by Graham + Sibbald for over £525,000. Built in the 1800s, it features six refurbished en-suite bedrooms, a restaurant, a bar, and an outdoor terrace overlooking Loch Tummel. Additional facilities include a two-bedroom owner’s flat and two staff caravans. Located near Queen’s View, current ownership has been since March 2016. The site combines heritage with strong business potential.

✈️ SAP Concur's 2025 Global Business Travel Survey highlights that 89% of business travelers, 93% of travel managers, and 90% of CFOs anticipate their travel budgets to increase or remain stable. In the first half of 2025, global business travel volume rose by 2.6% from 2024. Airfare prices averaged $1,681 in Q1 and $1,684 in Q2 2025. The US, Germany, and the UK are the top international destinations, with the US accounting for 15.3% of all international business trips.

📅 July 2025 in Arlington, Virginia: The U.S. hotel industry faced declines compared to July 2024. Occupancy dropped to 68.2% (a decrease of 1.0%), ADR fell to $161.90 (down 0.1%), and RevPAR decreased to $110.37 (down 1.1%). New York City had the highest occupancy among the Top 25 Markets at 85.2% (down 1.1%), while New Orleans and Phoenix recorded the lowest, at 53.9% and 55.3% respectively.

🏨 Jonathan Tisch, Executive Chairman of Loews Hotels, discusses the economic power of travel and tourism in the U.S., highlighting its job creation surpassing sectors like manufacturing. Tisch argues for increased industry advocacy, especially in light of major events like the World Cup and LA Olympics. He shares insights from his experience, including lobbying post-9/11, emphasizing the need for hospitality leaders to inform policymakers. This was hosted by Emily Goldfischer, editor-in-chief of hertelier.

🏨 Global hotel rates are expected to remain stable through 2026 due to geopolitical instability and potential US tariffs. The "Hotel Monitor 2026" by Amex GBT predicts rate increases in London (4.2%), Paris (2.6%), Madrid (4.8%), Sydney (1.5%), Dubai (2%), and Riyadh (2.3%). London plans 80 projects with nearly 15,000 rooms, and Riyadh over 17,000 rooms. India and Bengaluru show strong rate growth. Wellness, accessibility, and inclusivity are rising in importance for meetings and events.

📊 Discussion with Carlos Cendra from Mabrian Technologies highlights the need for a destination-centric approach in hospitality. Real-time sentiment analysis and macro data are crucial for understanding market dynamics and shaping strategic narratives. Observational research using AI aids in interpreting vast data, turning insights into actionable strategies. A case study reveals the impact of geopolitical events and travel costs on destination perception and pricing strategies. Emphasizing that travelers choose destinations, not just hotels, is key for future success.

🏖 France, July 2025: National hotel occupancy rose by 2.3 points to 73.2%, but daily rates fell by 8%. Upscale hotels experienced a 5.7-point occupancy boost. The French Riviera hosted 55% international guests, with Americans spending €170 daily. Paris saw a 5.3-point occupancy rise due to American and Asian tourists. Provinces saw RevPAR grow: Normandy +12.6%, Brittany +9.2%. Cities like Paris and Lille faced -14.6% RevPAR declines due to heatwaves over 40°C, redirecting tourists to cooler destinations like Strasbourg and Rouen.

🏨 Luxury fashion brands are expanding into hospitality to create immersive lifestyle experiences in cities like Paris, Milan, Tokyo, and Miami. By 2025, notable examples include Armani’s residences in Dubai and Milan, and Bvlgari’s nine hotels in Tokyo, Rome, and Shanghai. Successful ventures like Bulgari’s cultural venue in Rome and Armani Hotel Dubai emphasize brand consistency and narrative coherence. Common failures arise from superficial decoration and lack of staff training. Authentic collaborations enhance emotional loyalty, media attention, and clientele access.