Market Trends

🏇 In 2026, the "Year of the Horse," equestrian hotels are emerging as a niche in farm hospitality and agriluxury. Nihi Sumba in Indonesia offers equine wellness programs, while Coworth Park in the UK provides polo lessons. Finca La Donaira in Spain focuses on Lusitano horse preservation, and Brush Creek Ranch in Wyoming merges farm hospitality with equine activities. Six Senses Hudson Valley, near New York, will feature an indoor riding center and forest trails.

🏠 Honolulu, Hawai’i — The hotel industry generates $12 billion in economic activity, supports 63,912 jobs, and contributes $1.9 billion in taxes annually. Visitor spending totals $6.5 billion, with $760 spent per room night. The sector provides 18,088 jobs, yielding $1.4 billion in wages, and contributes $830.9 million in federal, $722.2 million in state, and $329.9 million in local taxes. Honolulu hosts 29,112 rooms, with 8.6 million room nights sold across 93 hotels.

📚 May 5th at 8:30 a.m., Las Vegas sees the fourth annual Women in Design Awards at the HD Expo + Conference. Six honorees include Grace Escaño-Maniatis, leading design at Auberge Collection, Amy Jakubowski at Gensler, and Suchi Reddy, founder of Reddymade. These women, shaping the hospitality sector, emphasize sustainability, human-centered design, and innovative solutions. Key projects span from Waldorf Astoria New York to Google’s NYC store, showcasing their global impact.

🚀 Stratview Research predicts space tourism will accelerate, hitting USD 19.12 billion by 2032, up from USD 1.05 billion in 2024. North America leads due to a mature aerospace ecosystem. Key players include Blue Origin, Virgin Galactic, and SpaceX. Sub-orbital and orbital flights will grow, with orbital expected to expand fastest. Influences include media and high-net-worth individuals. Blue Origin paused flights in 2026, but forecasts remain positive, with projections of USD 20.1 billion in 2033 and USD 62.1 billion by 2036.

🏨 2025 saw hotel transactions rise as interest rates stabilized, especially in secondary and primary U.S. cities. Transaction volume increased in Q3 2025, with a focus on properties under $25 million. Interest rates, expected to fall below 7%, influenced buying strategies. In 2026, market optimism prevails, with a strategic shift towards fundamentals over volume. Branding and performance trends shape valuations, while renovation decisions impact sale prices. Sellers should carefully assess timing, pricing, and renovation strategies to align with market conditions.

🏨 Emily Johnson, founder of Elevate Wellness Collective, explains why hotels often misinterpret wellness, focusing beyond spas to include mental and emotional well-being. She argues for integrating wellness into design and operations strategies, not as a standalone amenity. This discussion is part of Hospitality Daily, supported by Mews, a hospitality operating system. For more on AI and hotel tech, listen to Richard Valtr's insights. Transform these ideas into actionable strategies for your team!