Market Trends

📚 Deadline for the 8th annual HD/West Elm Student Product Design Competition is Friday, March 13th. Participants must design a lounge chair for hospitality spaces, supporting 300 pounds. Prize: $5,000 and production by West Elm. Current students and recent graduates can enter. Winner featured in Hospitality Design magazine's May/June issue and celebrated on May 5th at the HD Awards in Las Vegas. Past winners include Laurie Sadove (2019) to Calvin Ma (2025).

📅 May 5-7, 2026, Las Vegas: HD Expo + Conference at Mandalay Bay will feature a groundbreaking education program chosen by industry experts. The 2026 Education Curators, including leaders like Heather Ciszczon and Mark Eacott, aim to bridge knowledge gaps in hospitality design. This committee of 16 professionals represents diverse fields such as design, ownership, and operations, ensuring a comprehensive approach to the evolving challenges in the industry.

🗺 Gen Z and millennials prioritize diverse travel experiences over brand loyalty, yet value loyalty programs with flexibility. Phocuswright’s study reveals Gen Z and millennials have higher redemption rates in loyalty schemes than older generations. Two-thirds of millennials redeem travel through credit card points, while both groups favor OTA programs for variety. As their spending power grows, travel providers must enhance program versatility to engage these younger travelers. Statistical insights are part of Phocuswright’s "Travel Loyalty in 2026" series.

🏨 EMEA's hotel market saw a strong performance with rising costs reported. In the first half of 2023, the market experienced growth due to increased travel demand. However, operational costs surged, impacting profits. Notably, occupancy rates rose by 5% year-on-year, reaching 75%. Revenue per available room (RevPAR) increased by 10%, but labor costs escalated by 12%, challenging profitability. These trends highlight the balance between harnessing demand and managing expenses in the hospitality sector.