Market Trends

🗺️ Visitor preferences in the Gulf region are shifting, says a PwC Middle East and Mabrian Technologies study. The new "Stay Play Shop" framework emphasizes cultural connection and emotional engagement, advocating for dynamic, visitor-centric ecosystems. It highlights the importance of public-private partnerships and sentiment measurement. PwC's Nicolas Mayer and Philippe Najjar stress creating generational legacies, while Sonia Huerta underscores satisfaction metrics, aiming to enhance economic impact and visitor loyalty through integrated experiences.

🗺 Germany's travel sector grew 5% to €72.4 billion in 2024, with leisure travel as the key driver. Scandinavia's market expanded 7% to €17.4 billion, bolstered by events and infrastructure, and is poised for steady growth till 2028. Spain's market surged 9% in 2024, reaching €126 billion, fueled by inbound demand. New 2025 reports on Germany, Scandinavia, and Spain offer insights with charts, trends, and market sizes.

📈 Jul 3, 2025: Trump-era travel policies are impacting U.S. hotels significantly. With new travel bans affecting nationals from 12 countries, international visitor numbers are plummeting. France reports an 8.3% drop, and New York anticipates 400,000 fewer tourists, revising forecasts to 64.1 million. The World Travel & Tourism Council predicts a $12.5 billion loss in foreign tourism revenue, marking the U.S. as the only country with declining international visitor spending. Future hotel investments may be at risk due to restrictive policies.

📚 July 30, 2025, Washington, DC — The Extended Stay Lodging Association (ESLA) and Kalibri host the third ExStay Workshop, gathering industry executives for strategic insights and networking. Key session topics include U.S. market data on 7+ night stays and federal funding impacts. Notable speakers: Doug Artusio (ESLA), Cindy Estis Green and Jennifer Hill (Kalibri), Mark Skinner (Highland Group), and Paul Novak (Whitman Peterson). Attendees will explore investment strategies, operational practices, and market analytics.

🍴 Saladplate, operated by Informa Markets, is a content hub for the Hospitality, Food, and Beverage industry. It features weekly news, a monthly newsletter, and a bi-monthly e-magazine, reaching over 10,000 brands and companies. The platform connects users with a supplier directory and updates from over 35 international trade events.

🍽 Saladplate, part of Informa Markets, serves as a comprehensive hub for the Hospitality, Food, and Beverage sectors. With content such as weekly news updates, a monthly newsletter, and a bi-monthly e-magazine, it offers insights into industry trends. The platform connects users to over 10,000 brands and products via its supplier directory and provides updates from 35+ international trade events.

💰 Hala Matar Choufany discusses the UAE's luxury hospitality growth, particularly in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. From 2000 to today, hotel rooms increased from 600 to 160,000. Dubai's market enjoys 80% occupancy, with notable recovery post-Covid. Abu Dhabi is developing its cultural tourism, while Ras al-Khaimah will open the Wynn Casino in 2027-2028. Revenue per available square meter is emphasized for efficiency. Ownership structures limit asset trading, affecting the UAE's hotel investment market.

📊 Roger Martin criticizes SWOT analysis, suggesting it's fundamentally flawed and recommending a hypothesis-driven approach for strategic decisions. Chris Legaspi counters by advocating for a reformed SWOT, emphasizing context, specificity, and actionable insights. He suggests starting with external opportunities and threats and using a TOWS matrix to create strategic actions. Combining both perspectives, a hybrid model emerges, integrating Martin's strategic discipline with Legaspi's tactical rigor, aiming to transform SWOT into a precise decision-making tool.